This is the current homepage popup over at www.topik.go.kr. Looks like there are some BIG changes coming for the TOPIK test this year. To find out what the changes are, you 3 options: Go to the TOPIK site yourself and DownloadContinue reading BIG Upcoming Changes for the 2014 TOPIK Tests
Your Best Energy is Earliest – Use It!
The post title says it all: Your Best Energy is Earliest – Use It! It’s January 2014. It’s the first Monday of the first month of the New Year. Chances are, you’ve probably made some New Year’s Resolutions. If not,Continue reading Your Best Energy is Earliest – Use It!
FREE Vector Flat Numbers (Arabic, Korean, Chinese)
Here’s a quick and fun FREE resource for you: Vector Flat Numbers.eps **For those of you who aren’t familiar with vectors: They are graphic images that are resizeable to any size without losing quality (this is because the image dataContinue reading FREE Vector Flat Numbers (Arabic, Korean, Chinese)
What’s In What’s Out 2014
Taking some inspiration from the above video as well as the following two links, I’ve decided to create our own list of “What’s In What’s Out” for learning Korean in 2014. What’s In What’s Out 2014: USA Today What’s InContinue reading What’s In What’s Out 2014
Top 10 Posts of 2013
As we head out into the New Year, here’s a quick look back at our Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2013. 1. FULL Beginner Class Vocabulary List Here is the complete collection of vocabulary papers from the Beginner ClassContinue reading Top 10 Posts of 2013
Happy New Year 2014!~
After a long hiatus, we are ready to get back to work in 2014 bringing you more content and Korean learning resources and motivation! Welcome to 2014!~ The end of 2013 Over the past few months (during our down time),Continue reading Happy New Year 2014!~
If you want to Learn something, Teach it
So, you want to learn something. Korean Web design Exercise techniques Diets and nutrition Reading about those things is a good start, but that’s not nearly enough. Lots of people are walking around with heads full of knowledge and lifestylesContinue reading If you want to Learn something, Teach it
Key to Korean #12: The Power of Regular Progress Checks
Lots of people go through life working and playing – making a living and taking vacations – and by the time they’re 50 or 60 wonder where the time’s all gone. I also have just gone through the past 2-3Continue reading Key to Korean #12: The Power of Regular Progress Checks
The Difference Between Passive Patience vs. Active Patience (Keep Calm and Carry On)
On Monday, I wrote about how “Patience is Persistence” – meaning that the definition of patience shouldn’t only be limited to our common understanding of the term: patience: the ability to tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting upset InContinue reading The Difference Between Passive Patience vs. Active Patience (Keep Calm and Carry On)
ALL Beginner Class Vocabulary in Anki(Droid) Language Packs
This is pretty unique!~ One of our previous students has put ALL of the Beginner class vocabulary into Anki language packs and made them available to users on this site. They are divided into the same 14 weeks we haveContinue reading ALL Beginner Class Vocabulary in Anki(Droid) Language Packs
TOPIK Beginner Writing Samples (Tests 10-20)
One of the BEST things I ever studied while preparing for the TOPIK test was the sample answers that the TOPIK website provides. TOPIK Beginner Writing Topics & Samples (10-20).DOCX So, I’ve decided to collect ALL the previous TOPIK WritingContinue reading TOPIK Beginner Writing Samples (Tests 10-20)
Key to Korean #11: Patience is Persistence
Nature, by example, shows us anything worthwhile comes over time. Anything worthwhile grows methodically, building on a strong foundation. Develop a willingness to carry on despite roadblocks. — Jaren L. Davis If you’re anything at all like me, all your dreamsContinue reading Key to Korean #11: Patience is Persistence
YB: I’m a Singer Playlist and Songs
YB (aka YoonDo Band – 유도현 밴드) is Korea’s TOP rock band. They gained fame during the 2002 World Cup where they performed rock rendition of Arirang and their own World Cup anthem “Go Korea!” Since then, YB has madeContinue reading YB: I’m a Singer Playlist and Songs
Consistency is King (and makes you one)
On Monday, I wrote a post about Consistency that turned into a post about your INTERNAL consistency (or how what you do and what you believe about yourself shape the person you become). My last bit of advice in that postContinue reading Consistency is King (and makes you one)
Intermediate Grammar & Vocabulary Sheet Chapter 1
Here is the Cheat Sheet for Intermediate Grammar chapter ONE. DOWNLOAD Chapter 1 Cheat Sheet (updated 8.31.2013) Chapter 1 in Korean Grammar in Use: Intermediate had so much new vocabulary that I had to double the normal amount (from aContinue reading Intermediate Grammar & Vocabulary Sheet Chapter 1
TOPIK Beginner Writing Samples (Tests 21-30)
One of the BEST things I ever studied while preparing for the TOPIK test was the sample answers that the TOPIK website provides. TOPIK-Beginner Writing Topics & Samples (21-30).DOCX So, I’ve decided to collect ALL the previous TOPIK Writing topicsContinue reading TOPIK Beginner Writing Samples (Tests 21-30)
LWT #1 – Learning with Texts is Awesome!
There are already a great deal of excellent webposts discussing the benefits, usage, and installation of Learning with Texts. So, with this post I hope to merely introduce the use of the software in action and convince any non-believers of its usefulness.Continue reading LWT #1 – Learning with Texts is Awesome!
Change your Life by Changing your Labels (Consistency)
Remember my previous post where I argued that: Something always beats nothing Something produces momentum and feeds your passion The key to all of it is CONSISTENCY. What is Consistency? Consistency quite simply is our habits. Whatever good or badContinue reading Change your Life by Changing your Labels (Consistency)
Happy First Birthday Key To Korean!
Well guys, Key To Korean is officially 1-year old on Tuesday next week (August 27). At least, that’s when the first year of our web registration expires (though planning for the site and classes actually began weeks before that). It’sContinue reading Happy First Birthday Key To Korean!
Fluent Korean Speakers #1: Motivation to Continue Studying
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iILJb38w6g0 I recently stumbled across this video on the Internet of an impromptu Korean-language interview with a fairly fluent expat. It was recorded by HyunWoo Sun from TalkToMeInKorean.com. I find these kinds of interviews to be quite inspiring. There areContinue reading Fluent Korean Speakers #1: Motivation to Continue Studying
Here’s Why (and How) “Something is Better than Nothing”
I’m sure I’ve probably heard the idiom before, but it never struck me until I read it in Jon Acuff’s Start book the other day: Some Beats None Something always beats nothing because “nothing” is at a stand-still while “something”Continue reading Here’s Why (and How) “Something is Better than Nothing”
Improve your Listening Skills with Popular Animated Radio Programs on YouTube
During the English summer camp I taught this year, the elementary students rushed over to the computer every time I gave them a break and started searching for YouTube videos they liked. I occasionally stayed in the classroom for aContinue reading Improve your Listening Skills with Popular Animated Radio Programs on YouTube
Upcoming (Tentative) Class Resources
In order to get an idea about the kinds of resources we’d like to provide in the future, here is a list of the things that I currently have running around in my brain. It’ll help me get (and stay)Continue reading Upcoming (Tentative) Class Resources
How I Scored 91 on TOPIK 초급 (100 in Vocab/Grammar)
Let me begin with a disclaimer: I’m not out merely for a certification. I desire fluency. Therefore, the higher test scores I can get along my journey, the better I feel my progress is going. This is how I achievedContinue reading How I Scored 91 on TOPIK 초급 (100 in Vocab/Grammar)
Key to Korean #10: Motivation is a lot like bathing. Do it daily.
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily. — Zig Ziglar If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about studying Korean, it’s actually 3 things: It’s hard It’s time-consuming It’s aContinue reading Key to Korean #10: Motivation is a lot like bathing. Do it daily.
Hands down the BEST way to transfer money home from Korea
Want to transfer money home? So, you want to transfer money home do you? You’ve really only got 3 options: Go to your “home” bank (set up by your school), fill out the paperwork (every time) and transfer money home.Continue reading Hands down the BEST way to transfer money home from Korea
Like money in the bank or muscles in bodybuilding, your brain needs TIME to grow
I’ve previously written about the importance of space in your studying. Today’s post will explore that idea in a little further detail and also talk about why novelty seeking in language learning is not always the best way to increase yourContinue reading Like money in the bank or muscles in bodybuilding, your brain needs TIME to grow
ALL Low Intermediate Vocabulary and Grammar Sheets
FULL Vocabulary List Plus Complete Guide to the TOPIK List (Words 1-1260) FULL Vocabulary List (NO TOPIK) (Words 1-720) Low Intermediate Vocabulary & Grammar Week 1: Words 1-72 (Intro + Getting Ready) • Quiz 1 Week 2: Words 73-144 (Units 1-2) • Quiz 2Continue reading ALL Low Intermediate Vocabulary and Grammar Sheets
Vocabulary List for Complete Guide to the TOPIK: Basic – Week 5
Here are the fifth 108 words (#433-540) from Part 1 of the Complete Guide to the TOPIK: Basic. You can find: The first 108 words here The second 108 words here The third set of 108 here The fourth set of 108Continue reading Vocabulary List for Complete Guide to the TOPIK: Basic – Week 5
Key to Korean #9: Learning is actually the “space between” consistent study
It never fails. Every time I go home to America for one week, two weeks, four weeks, whatever, when I come back, my ears quickly readjust to the sights and sounds of Korean and even pick up new words andContinue reading Key to Korean #9: Learning is actually the “space between” consistent study