How to Learn the Korean Alphabet, Hangul

If you want to learn Korean, naturally it's important to also learn the Korean alphabet, otherwise known as "hangul". Unlike other languages, the Korean language's alphabet is actually quite simple to learn, requiring usually no more than a few hours of study. Hangul was first developed in 1446 by Sejong the Great, who's goal was to enable Koreans of all classes to obtain the ability to read and write.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Print out or copy down the Korean alphabet (including its pronunciation guide) on a sheet paper. There are numerous online resources, as well as books available for purchase or through the public library, that provide a list of the Korean letters.

2. Copy down several times over each letter of the alphabet, making sure to keep note of the pronunciation. At this point, it is not necessary to attempt to pronounce the letters yourself; instead, you should try to get a general idea of how each letter sounds when spoken.

3. Purchase or borrow audio tapes, or go online to an Korean language resource, to listen to a native Korean speaker pronounce each letter individually. Repeat after the speaker, attempting to mimic their pronunciation as closely as possible.

4. Create flashcards, both to reinforce your knowledge, as well as to quiz yourself, on the pronunciation of each letter. Restudy any letters you miss.

5. Visit websites written in the Korean language to practice your newly found knowledge of the Korean alphabet. While you may not understand the words that are written, you can attempt to sound out what you read, thus reinforcing your studies.

[deedavis]

on 7/13/2009 There are so many characters that it would take a very long time for a busy mom like me to learn. Hehe. Great information on how to learn Korean Alphabet, Hangul.