By now, you should hopefully have: A passion for Korean A practice method Perseverance in your practice Developed your practice into a habit So now, it becomes time to talk about creating a plan for your study. No one everContinue reading Key to Korean #5: Plan it, but don’t write your plan in stone
Korean Rock: 트랜스픽션 (Transfixion) – Nothing is Impossible
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hCxwIMEjiA Transfixion is quite possibly my favorite Korean rock band. But a lot of their good stuff can only be found on YouTube in the form of live club recordings taken with smartphones – as is evidenced by these videos. ThisContinue reading Korean Rock: 트랜스픽션 (Transfixion) – Nothing is Impossible
How to use Neurological Cravings to Create Good Habits (Like Studying Korean)
If you can identify the right cue and reward—and if you can create a sense of craving—you can establish almost any habit. … Craving, it turns out, is what powers a habit. – Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit TheContinue reading How to use Neurological Cravings to Create Good Habits (Like Studying Korean)
How to find bus routes in Korea (and why Daum Maps is better than Naver Maps)
The bus system in Korea is great. The only problem is: figuring it all out. Besides the Jeonju City Bus Route Guide that I put together (which only includes all the mapped routes for each bus number), the best resourceContinue reading How to find bus routes in Korea (and why Daum Maps is better than Naver Maps)
ALL Low Intermediate Grammar Rules on an A2 Poster
This morning I redesigned all the Low Intermediate grammar points into a full-sized A2 poster! The intention for this poster would be to print it out, and stick it my wall (or inner closet door) for quick and easy reference.Continue reading ALL Low Intermediate Grammar Rules on an A2 Poster
ALL Low Intermediate Grammar Rules in a 5-Page PDF
I spent some time last night redesigning all the grammar rules I’ve taken notes on for the Low Intermediate course to fit on a 5-page PDF. There are two weeks of grammar rules per page. Download 5-page PDF here HowContinue reading ALL Low Intermediate Grammar Rules in a 5-Page PDF
TOPIK Question Types: Beginner
I’ve recently picked up The Complete Guide to the TOPIK: Basic and begun preparing for my first TOPIK test (July 21, 2013). The book has proven to be quite helpful for helping me to understand the test structure and exactlyContinue reading TOPIK Question Types: Beginner
Key to Korean #4: Make It a Habit (Habits are Powerful)
Habits are powerful because you don’t even think about them. You just do them. Have you ever had a time in your life where you argue with yourself over some course of action? I used to do that all theContinue reading Key to Korean #4: Make It a Habit (Habits are Powerful)
Korean Rock: “The Sun” (해야 – 1980) Signifies Independence from Japanese Colonialism
Since Buddha’s birthday was Friday, I decided to post a song that’s got an element of traditional culture to it. This song “The Sun” was written in 1980 by Magma (마그마) and is reminiscent of “Stairway to Heaven” in itContinue reading Korean Rock: “The Sun” (해야 – 1980) Signifies Independence from Japanese Colonialism
Jeonju Bus Stops and Bus Lines Near Hanok Village
Yesterday was Buddha’s Birthday, so my family and I decided to hang out in Jeonju Hanok Village. It’s probably been over 3 years since I’ve spent much time there (since before my son was born), so a lot has changed.Continue reading Jeonju Bus Stops and Bus Lines Near Hanok Village
How To Practice Through the Pain to Do Something Great
Anything worth doing…is tough. Maybe even more than tough. Sometimes it seems like “anything worth doing is a painfully slow, mountain climb of an ultra-marathon.” Whatever your goal is, whatever you set out to do, will likely take twice as longContinue reading How To Practice Through the Pain to Do Something Great
Low Intermediate Class Resources
This is a list of all Low Intermediate class resources. It will continue to be updated. Week 1 (Intro & Ready) Week 1 Review Week 1 Vocab & Grammar PDF Week 2 (Units 1-2) Week 2 Review Week 2 VocabContinue reading Low Intermediate Class Resources
Low Intermediate Week 10 Review
Download this week’s Vocab/Grammar Review Sheet: Week 10 (Units 23-24) Most Important Things We Went Over This Week Direct quotations 하고/라고 + Verb follows quotation marks Direct quotations Verbs: (말)하다; 이야기하다; 그러다; 물어보다; 생각하다; 부탁하다; 쓰다; 듣다; 써 있다 Don’tContinue reading Low Intermediate Week 10 Review
Grammar Points Covered in Intermediate Classes
The following is a list of grammar points covered in the second semester of Intermediate classes (after Low Intermediate) and using the Korean Grammar in Use: Intermediate book. If you know all or most of the grammar listed, you mayContinue reading Grammar Points Covered in Intermediate Classes
Korean FAQs: Subtle Differences in Low Intermediate #1
We’ve been receiving some questions lately regarding subtle differences in the meanings between some Korean words. So, we’ve decided to post the answers to these questions on this site in order to help benefit other students as well. Question topicsContinue reading Korean FAQs: Subtle Differences in Low Intermediate #1
Android Resource: The BEST Topik Test Prep App for Android
Great news! This app is now available for iPhone too! TOPIK One I just stumbled upon this app today as I was searching for TOPIK test info. I’ve already downloaded it and started playing around with it. It’s quite slickContinue reading Android Resource: The BEST Topik Test Prep App for Android
Key to Korean #3: Uncommon Skill Requires Uncommon Practice
One of my best friends is a drummer. He’s probably one of the best drummers in the city (some would say in the province). He’s a pretty busy guy. Here are some of the things he does as a drummer:Continue reading Key to Korean #3: Uncommon Skill Requires Uncommon Practice
Korean Rock: Transfixion Covers “Beautiful Girl” (미인 “美人” – 1974)
This is one of those songs that always makes me smile. Even famous rock guitarist 김도균 smiles and exclaims, “참 잘했습니다!” (“Very great job!”) afterwards. Unfortunately, the band only receives a 120-point score (in this “Top Band” competition), so theyContinue reading Korean Rock: Transfixion Covers “Beautiful Girl” (미인 “美人” – 1974)
Take a Look at Some Sample TOPIK Answer Papers (Blank) and download Wongoji essay papers
I recently stumbled upon some scans of sample TOPIK answer papers from the 27th TOPIK test. They were uploaded by Ekachai Boonsathienwong at Blogspot. Looks like he’s from Thailand and is/was an exchange student at Daejeon University. As a part ofContinue reading Take a Look at Some Sample TOPIK Answer Papers (Blank) and download Wongoji essay papers
How to Focus: Your Uniform Determines Your Mindset
Have you ever noticed the way some Koreans recreationally ride their bikes? Or go hiking? Or play tennis or badminton? One of the key similarities you’ll notice among participants in each of these activities is the fact that they allContinue reading How to Focus: Your Uniform Determines Your Mindset
Low Intermediate Week 9 Review
Download this week’s Vocab/Grammar Review Sheet: Week 9 (Units 19-22) Most Important Things We Went Over This Week Wearing clothes (입고 있다); hat/glasses (쓰고 있다); necktie (매고/하고 있다); things on hands (끼고 있다); accessories (하고 있다); watches (차고 있다); bagsContinue reading Low Intermediate Week 9 Review
FULL Beginner Class Vocabulary List
Here is the complete collection of vocabulary papers from the Beginner Class (including the first 200 words in the True Beginner class). Supplementary vocabulary is not included here, so the total amount of vocabulary contained here is 900 words. FULLContinue reading FULL Beginner Class Vocabulary List
Amazing Resource: Practice TOPIK Questions Online!
I recently stumbled upon this amazing resource from the National Institute for International Education (NIIED): http://www.studytopik.go.kr There’s a lot of good stuff on here including: 5 Diagnosis Tests (50 questions each) – to help gauge your level 10 Beginner Level Sample QuestionsContinue reading Amazing Resource: Practice TOPIK Questions Online!
Key to Korean #2: Practice Beats “Best Laid Plans”
Every great dream or goal begins with a passion. Few successful people will ever say that they became so successful because they started with a “grand plan” first. Most successful people begin with a passion and just figure things outContinue reading Key to Korean #2: Practice Beats “Best Laid Plans”
Two Ways to Fuel Your Passion (for Korean)
I had originally considered titling this post “Two Ways to Fuel Your Fire” but thought that “Passion” was a better way to express the burning feeling inside that compels you to action. Passion often burns much longer and harder than fireContinue reading Two Ways to Fuel Your Passion (for Korean)
Hangul Script Wallpaper (May 2013)
This is the first in a series of monthly wallpapers we hope to make available. Hangul Script Wallpaper These are available in 3 formats and 2 colors: SmartPhone White: 720×480 | No Calendar Black: 720×480 | No Calendar Widescreen White:Continue reading Hangul Script Wallpaper (May 2013)
Low Intermediate Week 8 Review
Download this week’s Vocab/Grammar Review Sheet: Week 8 (Units 16-18) Most Important Things We Went Over This Week V~(으)려면 = short form of V~(으)려고 하면 V~(으)려면 often uses ~아/어야 해요/돼요, ~(으)면 돼요, ~(으)세요, 이/가 필요해요, ~는 게 좋아요 in theContinue reading Low Intermediate Week 8 Review
Beginner Class Resources
This is a list of all Beginner class resources. It will continue to be updated. ALL Grammar Points Covered (list) ALL Vocabulary and Quiz Sheets (downloadable) FULL list of all vocabulary (single file download) Week 1: Numbers (전화번호가 몇 번이에요?)Continue reading Beginner Class Resources
Key to Korean #1: The Secret to Motivation
It’s no secret that Korean is a difficult language to learn. Although it has the easiest alphabet of all Asian languages (you can memorize its entire 24-character set in a single day), Korean is still classified as a “difficult” languageContinue reading Key to Korean #1: The Secret to Motivation
Learn Korean with YB: Flying Butterfly (윤도현 – 나는 나비)
가사 (Lyrics) Chorus 날개를 활짝 펴고 세상을 자유롭게 날거야 노래하며 춤추는 나는 아름다운 나비 Chorus Vocabulary 날개 = Wing 날거야 = 날다 = Fly (v) 활짝 = Widely (expressive adjective – as if stretching your arms wide to each sideContinue reading Learn Korean with YB: Flying Butterfly (윤도현 – 나는 나비)