{"id":40179,"date":"2023-08-22T14:15:25","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T20:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alllanguageresources.com\/?p=40179"},"modified":"2024-02-05T18:42:53","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T01:42:53","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-korean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alllanguageresources.com\/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-korean\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does It Take To Learn Korean – We All Wanna Know!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The amount of time it takes to learn Korean will vary depending on several factors, including your prior language learning experience, the amount of time you dedicate to studying and practicing Korean, and your level of immersion in the language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Generally, it takes around 2,200 hours<\/strong> of study for a native English speaker to reach a high level of proficiency in Korean, according to the US Foreign Service Institute (FSI). This means that if you study for an average of 2 hours per day, it would take you around 3-4 years to become proficient in Korean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s important to note that everyone’s language learning journey is different, and you may progress at a faster or slower rate depending on your individual circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Many Hours Per Day Should I Study Korean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This will depend primarily on your goals \u2013 the level you wish to reach and how much quality study time you have available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to gain fluency, it will take 2,200 quality learning hours. If you study for two hours per day, that\u2019s 1,100 days or slightly over 3 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are able to dedicate your time to learning Korean as if were a full time job and study 8 hours per day (by taking a university course, for example) it would take you 275 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When deciding how long you should study, you should think about the level you want to reach and how much quality study time is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do You Mean By Quality Study Time?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not all studying is created equally!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, listening to BTS will certainly help with your vocabulary and grammar, but spending 2,200 hours listening to their songs on repeat will not help you reach fluency in Korean. It will only gain you fluency in song lyrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should think about the best way you learn for the different skills needed to gain proficiency in Korean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Korean Easier If I Already Have Another Language?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maybe! If you have experience of learning a language with another alphabet, you will be used to the techniques for learning new letters and symbols, so that will make learning hangul easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you already speak an East-Asian language, you will find some similarities between some pieces of vocabulary. For example, in Japanese we say \u30ad\u30ea\u30f3 (kirin) for giraffe, which is \uae30\ub9b0 (girin) in Korean. Baseball in Japanese in \u91ce\u7403 (yakyuu) in Japanese and \uc57c\uad6c (yagu) in Korean. Easy in Japanese is \u7c21\u5358 (kantan) and \uac04\ub2e8 (gandan) in Korean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, both Mandarin and Cantonese have similarities with Korean in pronunciation of words. So, time in Korean is \uc2dc\uac04 (shi gan) and \u6642\u9593 (si gaan) and \u65f6\u95f4 (sh\u00ed ji\u0101n) in Cantonese and Mandarin respectively. Student is \ud559\uc0dd (hak saeng) in Korean and \u5b78\u751f (hok saang) in Cantonese. These similarities are because approximately 60% of Korean words originally come from Chinese<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From English come the Korean loan words \ud1a0\ud06c\uc1fc (tokeusyo, talk show), \uc544\uc774\uc2a4\ud06c\ub9bc (aiseukeurim, ice cream) and \uba54\ub274 (menyu, menu). We also have the interesting contractions \ub9ac\ubaa8\ucf58 (rimo<\/strong>kon; remo<\/strong>te control), \uc140\uce74 (sel<\/strong>ka, selfie \u2013 from the words sel<\/strong>f and camera)  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Improve My Korean Listening Skills?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Improving your Korean listening skills requires consistent practice and exposure to the language. You can do this if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to Korean music, podcasts, and news <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Expose yourself to the sounds of the Korean language by listening to Korean music, podcasts<\/a>, and news broadcasts. This will help you become more familiar with the rhythms, tones, and cadences of the language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most popular Korean groups at the moment are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BTS: BTS is a seven-member boy group that debuted in 2013 and has become one of the biggest acts in the world, known for their catchy music, sharp choreography, and positive messages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BLACKPINK: BLACKPINK is a four-member girl group that debuted in 2016 and has achieved international success with their upbeat music and stylish visuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TWICE: TWICE is a nine-member girl group that debuted in 2015 and has become one of the most popular groups in Korea and Japan, known for their catchy music and charming personalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXO: EXO is a nine-member boy group that debuted in 2012 and has a massive fan base in Korea and around the world, known for their dynamic performances and harmonious vocals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red Velvet: Red Velvet is a five-member girl group that debuted in 2014 and has become known for their unique blend of pop and R&B music, as well as their colorful and creative music videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Korean TV shows and movies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

 Watching Korean TV shows and movies with subtitles can help you improve your listening skills. As you become more comfortable with the language, try turning off the subtitles to challenge yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n