Top 10 Online Places (Websites & Apps) To Learn The Korean Language

In the modern age, technology has kept us connected in more ways than was imagined possible. Besides social media and similar advancements, people can connect on a cultural level as well, by learning other languages. In particular, with 71 million native speakers, familiarization with the Korean language can open you up to a whole world of cultural bonds and friendships.

So, if you’re looking to utilize technology in your journey of learning Korean, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading to learn about 10 of the best apps that teach Korean.

1. TenguGo Hangul

TenguGo is a Korean learning app designed with beginners in mind. It helps define the proper pronunciation of the Korean alphabet, also known as Hangul. It does so through animated demonstrations and audio that illustrates the correct position of the tongue and mouth.

With that being said, the content is somewhat limited. But, this only causes the videos to be easier to categorize. To be specific, there’s a section on the app known as “Secrets if Hangul”. Over here, users can learn valuable information about the history of Hangul. This can help students solidify concepts by understanding their origin.

Therefore, don’t forget to check out the app for yourself and give it a try – it is available on Android and iOS for free.

2. Mango Languages

Mango is a simplistic language-learning app for Android and Apple. It encourages the teaching of practical phrases for everyday use. As a result, its content can be considered auditory-heavy, with only clear voice recording for every prompt or phrase. They even ask you to repeat or record yourself to ensure the correct pronunciation of terms.

These vocabulary and grammar lessons can be found in the units called “asking opinions” or “getting around”. They even have timer features, which work with lesson quizzes. You can use it to make the learning process more competitive, or you could download the lesson and watch them offline at your own pace and leisure.

However, it’s worth noting that these services come at a cost. They require only group subscriptions, as Mango Languages is meant for large-scale educational institutions. In reality, they expect their clientele to be public libraries, universities, or community centers. So, you can check in with your local library or public school system to see if they have a Mango Language subscription.

3. Duolingo

Among the more popular choices, Duolingo is a helpful language-learning app. It has up to 20 different languages, including Korean. And, it is available for free on Android and iOS. It focuses on overcoming languages bit by bit. So it consists of numerous fun games for listening, comprehension, writing, and speaking skills.

It is an ideal app for learning Korean for free while interacting with engaging games for varying skill levels. Some users even find these games “addictive”, helping them focus on lessons.

The standard version of Duolingo can allow you to study Korean for free. But, you can also subscribe to Duolingo Plus to learn without needing an internet connection. Not to mention, if you want to study from your computer, it also has an online Korean learning website.

4. Learn Korean Phrases and Words

With a child-like aesthetic, Learn Korean Phrases and Words is a Korean learning app made for beginners. It consists of numerous common phrases and vocabulary terms, which are really effective in helping with everyday situations and traveling.

You can use it to practice speaking and listening skills in Korean while on the go. With its helpful offline feature, you can learn a practical guide to vocabulary and phrasal topics, such as those related to Shopping (“How much does this cost?”) or Romance (“Are you free this weekend?”). It is also free of cost on Android and iOS, so you have nothing to lose if you want to give it a try.

5. FluentU

FluentU is an entertaining language app that makes learning the Korean language fun and immersive. It does this by utilizing popular videos, such as movie trailers, music videos, or Korean drama scenes, and turning them into lessons. They even hand-pick the most engaging videos and organize them based on skill level and topic. With its efficient AI, you’d only have to pick a video you find intriguing and start learning!

Likewise, when watching these videos, the app has interactive captions with words that come with additional material, such as definitions, example sentences, audio, and more. It would even keep track of your learning process, and you can review your progress after a fixed period.

This can all be available on Android, Apple, or the Web for $240 a year or $29.99 a month. If you are also unsure about their effectiveness, you can opt for FluentU’s 14-day free trial.

6. Dongsa Korean Verb Conjugator

In Korean, “Dongsa” means “verb”. This app aims to provide material related to all kinds of verb conjugators, including common, regular, irregular, or obscure. This is because, compared to other languages, Korean verb conjugators are unnecessarily complex.

So, to help overcome difficulties faced by beginners, this app is available for free on Android or iOS.

7. Memrise

Though Memrise isn’t exclusively a Korean learning site, it has numerous sections for the language. If you’re a complete beginner, you can begin learning from the very start with Hangul. They also teach appropriate pronunciations while providing multiple-choice quizzes for learning the alphabet or vocabulary words.

8. KoreanClass101

If you prefer auditory classes, KoreanClass101 may be your go-to learning app. It includes thousands of lessons and podcast-style audio, and it is among the best in the market for improving your listening skills. Its content can apply to students from all skill levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced learner, you’d have no problem using KoreanClass101.

In essence, KoreanClass101 can provide a learning experience unlike any other. Not only does it provide lessons free to download on its app, but you can also access all of the company’s numerous podcast episodes for free.

9. TOPIK One

TOPIK One would be more suited for people already somewhat comfortable with the Korean language. This is because TOPIK actually stands for Test of Proficiency in Korean, and the app is meant to prepare you for taking an exam.

It is filled with numerous past papers for beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels. Each level can be further divided into different sections, including Writing, Vocabulary, Listening, Reading, and Grammar. Users can also utilize an integrated dictionary to look up the meanings of new words they come across by simply touching the word.

10. HelloTalk Language Exchange

HelloTalk is more of a social networking site than a strictly educational one. Upon registering an account, you can choose a language pair, such as Korean-English. This would then assign Koreans learning English and English-speaking people learning Korean together.

One of its more prominent features is language learners’ ability to “correct” comments. By simply writing a few lines in Korean, you can always find a few enthusiastic Korean speakers helping you correct any mistakes. Likewise, if you want to work on your pronunciation, you can record yourself and have native Koreans correct you.

Other than that, if you’re ever just unsure about anything related to the language, you could always just post questions on the app. This would help you learn Korean, and it would also support local Koreans trying to learn English.