Top three books on learning Korean for foreigners

As Korea`s visibility in the global picture continues to become explicit, the demand for learning Korean as a foreign language also grows immensely. Of the numerous books published to satisfy this need, the following are the current best-selling three:



"Surviving Korean" by Stephen Revere (Nexus Books, p.272, 21,500 won).



As a native English speaker with a degree in teaching Korean as a second language, Revere refers back to his personal experiences learning Korean. Having felt a disparity between what was taught and what was desired to learn, Revere wrote this book to abridge the gap between traditional Korean language and its practical use today.



Using an analogy of a child learning to speak through hearing and practicing before learning the rules, Revere offers practical and commonly used language before providing clear comprehensible explanations. With diagrams of mouth shapes, DVD extracts with captions, and cultural tips with real context for the taught material, "Surviving Korean" offers a hands-on introduction to learning and experiencing the Korean language.

"Basic Grammar Skills" and "Vocabulary" textbooks are separately available for those interested in upgrading their level of language.



"Korean Made Easy" by Oh Seung-eun (Darakwon, p.288, 17,000 won).



Being a teacher at the Korean Language Education Centre of Sogang University, Oh provides a simply approach to Korean for those without Korean background. The book consists of twenty self-study chapters with practical everyday conversations in fun cartoon-style illustrations. Essential grammar is also taught through visual presentations, and listening and reading exercises based on Korean Language Proficiency Test are also offered. Furthermore, a CD of clear pronunciations by professional voice actors and a detached "Key Phrase" book with 38 most commonly used Korean phrases for everyday situations are attached with the textbook.

A second series, titled "Korean Made Easy: for everyday life," is also available for more in depth Korean for specified situations, such as traveling, adapting to Korean life, or making appointments.



"Ganada Korean for Foreigners" by Ganada Korean Language Institute, translated by Lee Kee-dong (Korean Language Plus, p.223, 20,000 won).



As opposed to the above two books that concentrate on practical sides of learning a language, "Ganada Korean for Foreigners" is more concerned with grammar and vocabulary. With a textbook layout, the book is divided into three stages: primary, intermediate and advanced. Primary stage is composed with an emphasis on correct pronunciation, whilst the intermediate stage offers more varied vocabulary and the advanced stage introduces history, culture and social aspects of Korea. Though the textbook layout and method of continuous exercises may appear juvenile, it provides a great system of repeated practice and learning.

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By An Ji-yoon