Teri still remembers the first time she decided to learn Korean: ”I had no idea where to start. Should I learn the alphabet first? Should I just start memorizing words? Should I throw myself into K-dramas and hope it magically sticks? Looking back now, I wish I could sit my past self down, hand her a cup of coffee, and say: <Breathe. Here’s how we’re going to do this.>”
It’s been almost a decade since we started learning Korean. It’s been a long journey, but totally worth it. Still, there are definitely things we’d do differently if we could start from scratch. So here’s the guide we wish we had in the beginning, mixed with a few lessons learned along the way.
Step 1: Learn Hangul First
Before you do anything, please please please learn the Hangul alphabet. You can start with romanization, but honestly—it’ll just mess up your pronunciation. Hangul might look intimidating, but it’s one of the most beautifully logical writing systems in the world.
If we had to start again, we would slow down and enjoy the process. We would spend a week or two learning Hangul slowly, turning it into a little game: reading signs, typing random words, writing my own name over and over. Each attempt feels like a small victory, and that sense of progress is addictive.
Step 2: Pick One Resource and Stick With It
One of the biggest mistakes is bouncing around between too many resources. Choose one main guide and commit to it.
Seolhwa started with TalkToMeInKorean grammar lessons, which were a lifesaver. Another great option is the Korean From Zero book series (they even start with Hangul). After finishing one of these, you’ll probably be around A2 (TOPIK I level 2) or close to a B1 level.
Bonus: Find a study buddy
Having a study buddy or language partner honestly makes everything 100 times funnier, easier, and more motivating. When she started, Teri found grammar quite hard, but thankfully, Seolhwa who was already learning Korean was there to explain hard grammar structures. If they hadn’t had each other, we would probably not be where we are now.
Step 3: Listen, Listen, Listen
Don’t underestimate the power of input. Fill your ears with Korean every day: music, dramas, podcasts, YouTube videos—even if it’s just background noise.
Aim for at least 30 minutes a day at least. And don’t just listen passively: when you hear a sentence that catches your ear and seems interesting, write it down, break it apart, and try to understand the grammar behind it. That’s when things begin to click.
Step 4: Start Speaking Early
This is the step so many of us avoid (🙋♀️ guilty). Seolhwa waited nearly three years before speaking to a native speaker, and she regrets it. Don’t do the same.
Start small. Talk to yourself. Practice simple phrases like “Hello,” “I like this,” “Where is the bathroom?” instead of memorizing 50 fruit names you’ll never use. If you can, try a 5-minute chat with a language partner or book a class with a teacher on Italki or Preply.
The truth is, you only get better at speaking by speaking. Even if it’s awkward at first, every sentence is progress.
Step 5: Don’t Fear Grammar (It’s Your Friend)
We admit it: we avoided grammar for too long. It felt intimidating and boring. But here’s the truth—grammar is the secret key that makes everything fit together.
Start with the basics: common sentence endings, the difference between polite and casual speech, and honorifics (trust us, don’t skip those like we did 🤣). Think of grammar as Lego bricks: small, simple blocks that you can stack up into bigger, more complex sentences over time.
Step 6: Make It Fun
Learning Korean doesn’t have to feel like homework. In fact, it shouldn’t. Play with the language. Watch K-dramas with Korean subtitles, even if you barely understand. Sing along to K-pop, no matter how terrible you think you sound.
One of the most useful habits we developed was journaling in Korean. Just a few lines every day—what we ate that day, how we felt, what we planned to do tomorrow. It never felt like studying, but it forced us to use vocabulary we actually needed in real life.
Step 7: Keep Going (+Optional Exam step)
Once you hit the intermediate stage, you can choose your own path:
- Stick with structured resources like books created for learners
- Dive into immersion—dramas, books, conversations, journaling.
If flashcards help, use apps like Anki or Quizlet (a blog about how to make Anki less boring soon).
For those who like structure and goals, consider preparing for the TOPIK exam. Doing past papers and using prep books can boost your vocabulary and grammar quickly. Just don’t let it suck all the fun out of your learning. Diversify your study routine and remind yourself why you started.
Remember to check your progress and celebrate it!
Here are some links to tests in order to check your level and progress::
Final Thoughts
The most important lesson? Be patient. Don’t compare yourself to other learners—this isn’t a race. Some people speak faster, others write better, some memorize vocab fast. And that’s okay.
Every word you learn is one more than you knew yesterday. That’s worth celebrating.
So whether you’re just starting or years into your Korean journey, here’s our advice: slow down, play with the language, and keep showing up—even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day. You’ll be amazed at how far you get when you stop rushing and start enjoying the process.
So whatever stage in your Korean language journey you might me, 화이팅! 🩷
Polyglot besties 
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