Top 10 Best Books to Learn Korean in the UK 2021

Hangul (pronunciation: 'Han' as in hand, and 'gul' as in seagull) is the Korean alphabetic system, which was created by King Sejong in 1443. 

He pitied the lower class Koreans for being illiterate (Chinese characters were the official written language, which only the upper classes had learning access to) and hence invented an alphabet that all Koreans could learn and write with.

Hangul is considered one of the most scientific languages in the world, as the basic consonant letters (g/n/m/s/ng) were designed to imitate the shape of the vocal organ when pronouncing the sound. However, with 14 consonants and 10 vowels, it can take as little as 2 hours for one to master it!

Today, around 75 million people speak Korean around the world, and with K-pop and K-dramas continuing to dominate the entertainment world, the interest of learning Korean is ever-growing.

Unless you're an experienced language learner, choosing a book that suits your personal learning approach can be confusing, especially when there are tons of books available to you. To discover what to look for in your ideal language book, keep reading! 

Reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are essential when it comes to language learning, but there may be some aspects that you want to master more than others. Therefore, if your goal is to only improve on a certain skill, then you might want to buy books that include, or focus on, this content. Here are the main categories. 

While most books will have an introductory chapter about Hangul, it doesn't necessarily guide and teach you to write Hangul step by step. Indeed, you could always self-learn Hangul using online resources, but finding one that suits you can take a lot of time, and you'll need the self-discipline to learn it.

Alternatively, you could go for a Hangul exercise book, where all the essential materials are prepared for you. They'll include various methods to help you remember and write Hangul properly, in a way which will motivate you even more to master the language.

Some learners like to focus on understanding and the correct usage of grammar as with time, ideally, you'll then be able to produce flawless sentences, whether verbally or written. Plus, you'll have a better understanding when reading texts or fiction in Korean, too. 

So if this is your priority, we recommend looking for language books that teach you new grammar in each chapter. Luckily, you can find this material in most books!

Some learners like to focus on vocabulary or verb expansion, as you'll then be able to name different things like a local and express yourself with more suitable verbs that fit the situation. A dictionary at the back of the book can also help with this. 

If this sounds like something you'd like to include, choose language books that have a significant amount of content on vocabulary or verbs, particularly if it's accompanied with example sentences which you can effectively apply into your speaking or writing. 

Many people enjoy the sense of achievement of being able to translate a foreign language flawlessly, as this not only indicates you've learnt the language well, but that you can now help those who can't speak it yet, be that when travelling or as a career. 

To achieve this, you can start by using books that provide both English and Korean text, which enable you to gradually work on your translation skills. 

Whilst you can find dozens of materials to translate online, it's often a bit too challenging when there isn't a model answer for reference. Only some books include the answers within the translation section, so be sure to check for this.

Everyone's dream is to speak a foreign language like a local instead of sounding like you're reading straight from a textbook. But while you can achieve this by bingeing K-dramas or practising with a native speaker, it's easier to learn through reading materials. This applies to visual learners especially. 

There are books out there which focus on teaching useful and practical sentences with dialogue, so you can apply what you've learnt in real-life situations. Now all you need is to have the confidence in your listening skills and perfect your ability to speak it!

Everyone has different preferences when inputting new information into their brain – you might be a visual learner who relies on visual stimulation to absorb and retain new information, or perhaps you're an audio learner who relies heavily on spoken or audio input.

As a visual learner, books with plenty of photographs and pictures or those that are colour-printed will be best for you, as you are capable of quickly associating vocabulary with certain imagery. You may even prefer an eBook over a traditional tome, so check to see whether your chosen title is available digitally. 

As an audio learner, opt for books with access to audio materials such as additional CDs or downloadable digital files. These resources are actually a smart inclusion for all learners, as they can hone your pronunciation and listening skills.

There isn't a right or wrong way of inputting information, it's simply about which methods will enable you to succeed when learning.

Now that you know the different priorities and preferences you should consider when selecting a Korean language book, you can browse our compilation of the top 10 titles in the UK. Gyesok ilgeojuseyo! (Please continue reading!)

Repetition in writing is the best way to learn the Korean alphabet, so we thought our stationary-related products might be useful on your journey to becoming a Hangul pro. 

Being able to speak a foreign language, even just a few sentences, is very exciting and significantly closes up the distance between people with different cultural backgrounds. And next time you visit Korea, you'll be surprised at just how many locals respond to you with a big smile when you test out your new vocabulary!

So why not start learning now? You won't regret it! An'nyeong! (Bye!)

Author: Angina Chow