Best Korean textbooks for various levels
Go! Billy Korean: Korean Made Simple
For beginners
Billy is a Korean learner of many years and his content is catered to beginners who self-study.
Korean Grammar for Speaking 2
For intermediate
One of my favorite grammar textbooks. Simple layout with lots of vocabulary and activities.
Tuttle Basic Korean
For beginners
Good if you enjoy in-depth grammar explanations, lots of example sentences, and solid grammar explanations. A little boring, but full of information for serious learners.
Yonsei Korean 1
For beginners
I used this when I just started learning Korean and it was a really solid guide to get started. It’s made by a Korean university so you can be sure the content is great.
Korean Grammar in Use Intermediate
For intermediate
The best Korean grammar textbook I’ve used for years! The activities are fun the pages are wonderfully designed.
Study tips & resource reviews
Websites for learning Korean
KoreanClass101
Lots of podcasts and lesson transcripts for various Korean levels. Somewhat spammy marketing, but solid content which I’ve been using for years.
Pathway to Korean
Free beginner lessons online from Ohio State University.
K2nlearner
A new, robust site to learn natural Korean in the context of phrases. The site is run by my friend Jimmy and he posts useful phrases and slang.
Talk To Me In Korean
The ultimate Korean resource. If you aren’t using TTMIK, what are you doing? Just kidding. They have podcasts, free lessons, textbooks, videos, the whole shabang.
How To Study Korean
One of the most comprehensive sites out there, although sentences can sometimes sound a little robotic. Use it as you like but remember to use a mix of resources!
Online Intermediate College Korean
Lessons with dialogs, grammar and audio, for intermediate learners.
Sogang Korean Course
Are you stuck in the early 2000s? Would you like a useful resource with a really… retro design? Sogang Korean is the site for you.
LingoClass
Online Korean lessons with expert teachers as well as a great range of learning resources to help you study more effectively.
More resources on Optilingo
Apps for Korean
Beginners
Learn Korean with Master Ling app
kGrammar
Teaches Korean grammar points.
WriteIt
Learn how to write Hangul
Intermediate +
Wodeu
App to learn Korean by reading
Audioclip app
Listen to Korean content for free
Clozemaster
Useful for learning phrases, filler words, prepositions and vocabulary in context in a gamified format.
Dictionaries
Hands down, the best dictionary for Korean learners is Naver Dictionary. If you download the app, you’ll get awesome content like videos, dialogues, Kpop content, daily phrases and more. You can also use the mobile website if you prefer. It’s pretty robust and is clearly geared at Korean learners.
Naver also has a translator called Papago. You can use the audio feature to listen to a native pronunciation. It’s awesome!
Pronunciation & Hangul
Resources
Hangeul Master on Amazon: textbook from TTMIK
Learn Hangul on HowtostudyKorean
Korean pronunciation guide
for the IPA system
Forvo allows you to type a word and listen to how it’s pronounced
Notebooks for Hangul practice
Improve your handwriting using Korean Wongoji paper:
Video guides
Useful Korean videos
Custom Korean merch
I design Korean stickers, notebooks, phone cases, shirts and more with motivational phrases. Check out my site!
Podcasts, radio & music
KBS World Let’s Learn Korean
Stream Korean radio
KBS News app
Red Book Cafe
라디오 다이어리 그 남자 그 여자 Calm radio diary from male & female perspectives
If you’re a UI/UX designer like me, you’ll love Design Table (no English translation)
Podbang for podcasts
My K-indie playlist
Korean praise
K-rap & hip hop playlist
Miscellaneous resources
Websites
Language exchange
italki
Affordable language tutors that you can book according to your schedule. I use italki often for speaking practice. Get $10 credits after you sign up and book your first lesson here.
HelloTalk app to meet native speakers and practice with.
YouTube channels
How to make the most out of a language exchange:
