Korean Language Lessons
Korean is a language spoken by roughly 80 million people. It is mainly spoken in North and South Korea, but various places in China and diaspora populations use it as well. Similarly to many languages around the region it was influenced by Chinese, only 35% of the language can be said to be native Korean.
If you are looking for Korean Language Lessons, you first need to ask yourself: "Do I want to do this online or offline?". It is my personal view, that going to classes and lessons is a waste of money and time. I grant you there are exceptions, if you like the social aspect of lessons, or can only learn a language if you are taught by someone, but if you just want to learn the language, I would go for the net. No traveling to and from classes, no fees, you can choose when to study, and so on.
My first stop would be Wikipedia. Here you can get a rough overview of the language. I advise reading this, it is interesting, and gives you some background, and some indications of how hard it will be.
Just to show you the power of online studying, take a look at a website operated by the Korean Broadcasting Commission. This is a page that teaches you some basic Korean up to a low - moderate level. The best thing about the page is that audio examples are available by hovering your mouse over stuff, and you can also see the way each syllable and word is written, not just on the page, but it shows you the steps as well. The page is offered in multiple languages from English to Arabic, but I guess since you're reading this article, you'll be opting for the English version.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the Republic of Korea also operates a webpage that gives free Korean lessons to anyone interested. It is a well made, easy to follow course, consisting of 10 chapters. It won't get you up to a professional translator's level, but it will let you get by.
These are great pages so far, but only get you through to an introductory level. A much more detailed course can be found at the page of the Korean Language Education Program. This page is a bit reminiscent of Encarta encyclopedias. There are 7 levels, plus an introduction to Korea, and by the time you finish the last you will be near the professional level. Each course consists of ten lessons, and will last you quite a while. Listening, vocabulary and practice are all available and the flash animations will make you smile all the way through.
If you are looking for an offline solution I can't really give that good advice because of the variation in the quality and quantity of available classes. You can choose between a personal tutor and learning Korean in a class of many people. I prefer the former if I am in a rush to learn a language, but if language learning is a hobby, going for classes can be much more fun. Working in groups can lead to a slower, although more productive way of learning and may be the thing you need to become proficient in the language. Lessons are available in all major US cities, and you will probably be able to find someone to help you wherever you live in the US, since almost 2 million live there!
If you are looking for Korean Language Lessons, you first need to ask yourself: "Do I want to do this online or offline?". It is my personal view, that going to classes and lessons is a waste of money and time. I grant you there are exceptions, if you like the social aspect of lessons, or can only learn a language if you are taught by someone, but if you just want to learn the language, I would go for the net. No traveling to and from classes, no fees, you can choose when to study, and so on.
My first stop would be Wikipedia. Here you can get a rough overview of the language. I advise reading this, it is interesting, and gives you some background, and some indications of how hard it will be.
Just to show you the power of online studying, take a look at a website operated by the Korean Broadcasting Commission. This is a page that teaches you some basic Korean up to a low - moderate level. The best thing about the page is that audio examples are available by hovering your mouse over stuff, and you can also see the way each syllable and word is written, not just on the page, but it shows you the steps as well. The page is offered in multiple languages from English to Arabic, but I guess since you're reading this article, you'll be opting for the English version.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the Republic of Korea also operates a webpage that gives free Korean lessons to anyone interested. It is a well made, easy to follow course, consisting of 10 chapters. It won't get you up to a professional translator's level, but it will let you get by.
These are great pages so far, but only get you through to an introductory level. A much more detailed course can be found at the page of the Korean Language Education Program. This page is a bit reminiscent of Encarta encyclopedias. There are 7 levels, plus an introduction to Korea, and by the time you finish the last you will be near the professional level. Each course consists of ten lessons, and will last you quite a while. Listening, vocabulary and practice are all available and the flash animations will make you smile all the way through.
If you are looking for an offline solution I can't really give that good advice because of the variation in the quality and quantity of available classes. You can choose between a personal tutor and learning Korean in a class of many people. I prefer the former if I am in a rush to learn a language, but if language learning is a hobby, going for classes can be much more fun. Working in groups can lead to a slower, although more productive way of learning and may be the thing you need to become proficient in the language. Lessons are available in all major US cities, and you will probably be able to find someone to help you wherever you live in the US, since almost 2 million live there!