Korean

Around 80 million people speak Korean as their native language, and it ranks as the 16th most spoken language in the world. In recent years the language has exploded in popularity, mainly thanks to the increasing export of Korean culture; most popularly associated with K-pop and Korean television / cinema. There’s even a word for this phenomenon Hallyu (한류) meaning ‘the Korean wave’.

Why should I learn Korean?

If you are considering learning Korean, it may be helpful to know that it is a useful language for business and academia, as South Korea is a major economic power and many academic papers are published in Korean. In addition, knowing Korean can be a great way to connect with the culture and history of South Korea and North Korea.

In addition, if you are interested in anime or manga, learning Korean can be a great way to improve your understanding of these popular forms of entertainment. Many anime and manga are originally created in Japanese, but some are also created in Korean. Knowing Korean can help you to better appreciate and understand these works, as well as to participate in online communities and discussions related to these topics.

How hard is it to learn Korean?

One of the unique features of the Korean language is its script, which is known as hangul. Hangul is a relatively simple and logical writing system that is composed of 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Korean grammar is also relatively straightforward, with no conjugations or grammatical gender.

On average, it may take an English speaker around 88 weeks of regular study to become proficient in Korean, making it one of the harder languages for an English speaker to learn.