Korean is often considered one of the most difficult languages to learn, especially for native English speakers.
Learning a new language is always a complicated process and time-consuming, and out of all the well-known difficult languages, Korean is considered a major challenge.
But is Korean that difficult to learn – or is it just a myth, a misunderstanding, or a mental barrier?
What Makes Learning Korean So Hard?
- Korean has an exclusive alphabetical system
- It has a complex writing style
- The word order is different
- It has a reverse sentence structure
- Korean is a hierarchical language, and its pronunciation is often a challenge
- Homophones create confusion
- Combined alphabets are difficult to pronounce
- It consists of unusual vocabulary and phrases
- It comprises bulky and complex words
- The grammar rules are different
How Hard is it to Learn Korean?
Before planning, it is important to think about long-term goals and language planning.
Identify your goals and objectives and understand why you want to learn the language. Is it because you want to enjoy watching a Korean drama, or you want to communicate with some Korean friends, or is it to expand your employment opportunities?
Your answers to these questions will determine how hard is Korean to learn for you.
- You can learn the “Hangul” alphabet in a day, so it is not a difficult task if you are learning Korean to initiate some basic communication and comprehension. But if you plan to gain proficiency, for example, to become a Korean teacher or a translator, you may need years of learning Korean.
- Besides the intent, your native language, level of inspiration, strategies and techniques you follow, and how much you learn also decide how difficult you will find to learn Korean. So, there is no definitive answer to how difficult it is to learn the Korean language.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Korean?
You can join an accredited course and learn the Korean language in a specific time frame.
You may learn faster if you already know Chinese and Japanese, although all three are different languages. If your native language is English or a European language, you may need to work a little harder than others.
Who Says Korean is Difficult?
According to a widely recognized FSI survey, Korean has been classified as Category IV for native English speakers, which means a “super hard language.” Besides Korean, other languages in this category are Japanese, Arabic, and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese).
It takes about 88 weeks/2200 hours of learning to become fluent in Korean. To get to the advanced stage of learning Korean, you need 1:1 self-study and about 4,400 hours. It is not a piece of cake to learn Korean, but it’s not impossible either.
If you have decided to learn Korean – you must take the language seriously. The language is often judged as a complicated language based on its basic and complex aspects.
Compared to other languages, Korean is more difficult because of its different grammatical style, a very foreign vocabulary, honorifics, and subtle nuances. Learning Korean thus requires effort, time, and patience.
Conclusion
Although it may be considered one of the most difficult languages for an English speaker to learn, learning Korean is not unthinkable!
So, join a credible course, take the plunge and start learning Korean today. It is a huge investment of time and effort, and the results are amazing. You open doors to several career opportunities in the global arena. It will give you a sense of accomplishment and add a prominent foreign language to your CV. Additionally, you can thoroughly enjoy the Korean songs and dramas that are all the rage these days.
With the right approach, patience, and attitude, understanding Korean will become easier over time. So, take the first few steps, and your journey to learn Korean will be exciting and intriguing.
Vanessa Lynn Uzcategui
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