D-26: TTMIK's Curriculum

Learn Korean one step at a time at TalktoMeinKorean.com
Here's the curriculum of all lessons at TTMIK.

D-26
I'm not really studying right now. Tonight I've decided to make a list of the curriculum at TTMIK and mark the ones that I should study first, verb endings / linking verbs that I've always wanted to learn, familiar verb endings that I haven't seen in the past few levels I've explored.

I met 2 people online, one on twitter and one on facebook who study Korean. The first one has only been studying for around 6 months. He knew how to say a lot of things but he lacked vocabulary and his spelling was terrible. The second one has been studying Korean for 2 years. She uses 존댓말. 그 여자가 TTMIK에서 공부하는지 몰라요. I don't know if she studies at TTMIK but her sentences are better than mine. She uses a lot of words too, so I could see that her vocabulary is better than mine.

Meanwhile I started lazily learning Korean since... 2010. I think I started learning around... July or August when my friends who knew hangul inspired me to learn hangul as well. I learned basic expressions at livemocha but I've forgotten when I started studying at TTMIK. My Korean which was barely anything improved a lot when I started studying at TTMIK. So I could say it's been 3 years including the time I started learning hangul.

I know how to improve my Korean. It's just that... I need more time. The TOPIK next year would be held next April. I only have around 4 months to prepare. 초급 중급 둘 다 하고 싶어요. I want to take both the elementary and intermediate level. For that I need to study almost all available lessons at TTMIK, practice past TOPIK exams, familiarize and memorize 5000-6000 Korean words, practice practice and practice.

If that twitter guy learned that much Korean in 6 months, I should also be able to do just that. My goal is to surpass those two people and pass the TOPIK. 중급 하면합격하는지 잘 모르겠는데 매일 한국어를 공부할게요.

My goal for the rest of December is to learn grammar, familiarize myself with the vocabulary and practice. On January, I'll start studying all the past 중급 토픽 that I've printed out.

그리고 한국어로 생각하는 것 곧 익숙해야 돼요.

How to Learn Korean Fast

You probably want to learn Korean because you're into something Korean. It may be their food, culture, hallyu, kdramas, kpop etc. You might even be aiming for the TOPIK! Whatever the reason is, if you follow my tips, I'm sure you'll learn Korean in no time!

1. Learn Hangul.
Hangul is one of the easiest Asian "alphabets" to learn. If you've tried memorizing Japan's Hiragana before, or tried learning Chinese, you'd know what I'm talking about. You could google for hangul charts.

Each syllable is written per syllable.
ㅂ (b) + ㅏ (a) = 바 (ba)
ㄷ (d) + ㅏ (a) = 다 (da)
ㅎ (h) + ㅕ(eo) + ㅇ(ng) = 형 (hyeong / "hyung")
ㄱ (g/k) + ㅣ(i) + ㅁ(m) = 김 (kim)

NOTE: If the syllable starts with a vowel, you have to use a "filler" in the beginning, which is "ㅇ(eung)"
ㅇ + ㅏ(a) = 아 (a)
ㅇ + ㅡ (eu) + ㄴ(n) =은 (eun)

I think that all kpop fans should learn Hangul, at least learn your idol's names in hangul.
A good way to practice one's hangul reading skills is by reading kpop lyrics in Korean.

Note that the consonants change their reading depending on where they are in the syllable (initial/final).
For more information, check out the detailed hangul entry on wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangul
For hangul lessons, try visiting this blog: http://hangulfangirl.wordpress.com/tag/hangul/

2. Learn Korean Grammar: (Visit TTMIK)
Grammar is very, very important in learning Korean and the best site for learning Korean for free is TTMIK. That's talktomeinkorean dot com. (http://www.talktomeinkorean.com/)
At TTMIK, you can learn Korean grammar one step at a time! Here's TTMIK's curriculum.

Korean Grammar is different from English Grammar.

So, accept this syntax: Subject +  Object +  Verb 

(내가) 널 사랑해. (Naega) neol saranghae.

나/내 nae = I; 가 (subject marker); 

내가 naega = I (doer / subject)

너 neo (you); 를 reul (direct object marker / receiver marker); 

너를 neoreul ->널 neol  (you + direct object / receiver marker)

사랑 sarang (love), 사랑하다 saranghada (to love);

+어요 eoyo/아요 ayo (verb ending. present tense)

사랑해(요) saranghae(yo) 

NOTE: Subject/Doer doesn't necessarily have to be in the sentence.

That is why I omitted "내가" (Naega) = I.

As you know, most people just say "사랑해" (Saranghae) = I love you.

3. Learn Korean Vocabulary
You can't really use your grammar if you don't have much vocabulary. This is where your memorization skill comes in. Don't worry, you'll remember a lot of words even without memorizing as long as you watch Korean dramas or listen to Korean songs (and check the lyrics).
DOWNLOAD THIS PDF: the most frequently used korean words.

4. Practice: Listen. Read. Write. Speak.
What's the use of learning a bit of grammar if you don't practice?

(1) LISTEN: Watch Korean dramas/movies & Listen to Korean Songs
Some Korean phrases, words or expressions may be familiar from watching way too many Korean dramas. It's best to study and expose yourself to the language so Korean would sink in well.

(2) READ: Sing along Kpop songs by reading the lyrics in hangul!
Never look at romanized lyrics to Korean songs ever again. From now on, try to sing along your favorite kpop songs with the lyrics printed in Hangul. That way, you'll remember the words better. You could also check the translation of the song and try to check the dictionary for the meaning of the words. Use dictionaries and the vocabulary pdf I gave you for the words and TTMIK for the grammar.

You can also read the Korean brands of those Korean food in the "Asian/Foreign Goods" section in the supermarkets or Korean stores.

If you have Korean friends on facebook, try to read their posts. It's usually hard to understand posts by Koreans since they use 반말/Panmal (Casual Form), but it's a good way to practice your hangul reading skills.

(3) WRITE: Install a Korean keyboard and start posting in Hangul.
Post in Korean, install the Korean Keyboard. If your OS (OPERATING SYSTEM) is Windows, just go to the Control Panel then to Regional / Languages / Keyboards.

Post in Korean in SNS (fb,twitter etc.).
Get your Korean corrected by posting at: http://lang-8.com/

Also practice writing traditionally: write your idol's names, write Korean sentences etc in Hangul on your paper, notebooks etc. Just don't write on walls okay? Vandalism is very bad.

(4) SPEAK: Sing in Korean, say phrases/expressions in Korean

5. Study Past TOPIKS
You can download all the past TOPIKs from this site: http://koreatopik.co.kr/board.php?code=down
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is a test you need to pass if you want to study, work or live in Korea. By answering the past TOPIKs, you can improve your Korean. If you're just a beginner, practice the Elementary TOPIK. If your goal is to study in Korea, practice the Intermediate TOPIK.

The TOPIK has 6 Levels.

Elementary (Level 1 and 2)

Intermediate (Level 3 and 4)

Advanced (Level 5 and 6)

NOTE: You need to pass at least Level 4 if you want to study in a Korean university.

6. Practice More

Immerse yourself in all things Korean, especially Korean TV shows and Korean songs.

Another Good Korean Blog

I've posted entries on TOPIK and learning Korean but at that time, I wasn't able to add this blog here because--- I wasn't aware of its existence yet. XD Anyway it has all sorts of things like transcripts, idioms, tips and so on.

Korean: Parts of Speech

명사 noun

동사 verbs

부사 adverbs

카운터 counters

감탄사 interjections

의치 locations / locators

대명사 pronouns

숫자 numbers

감정 showing emotions

조동사 helping verbs

조사 particles

Korean Idioms and Expressions

Here are some idioms I found from another blog about Korean. See the full list here.

• 폼 잡지마! Get real!! Get a job! Get a life! (싸울 때 쓰는 말)
• 너 참 귀가 엷구나! You’re so gullible!
• 너 좀 너무 심한 거 아냐? Don’t you think you’re over-reacting a little?
• 왜 사서 고생하니? Why go through all the troubles?
• 속이 울렁거린다. I’m feeling a little queasy.
• 너 돈독이 올랐구나! You are too money hungry.
• 잘 자. 내 꿈꿔. Sleep tight. Dream of me.

• 늦었다고 생각할 때가 가장 빠를 때다.Better late than never.

• 야, 네가 못하는 게 뭐니? You can do anything you set your mind to.
• 네가 보고싶어 죽겠어. I’m dying to see you!
• 일을 하려면 제대로 해! If you’re going to do, do it right!
• 야, 대체 비결이(요령이) 뭐야? Hey, what’s the secret?
• 넌 빠져. Don’t get nosy (코를 들이밀지 마 = 간섭 마)
• 혈통 문제로군. It runs in the family.
• 나이 값을 좀 해라. Act your age!
• 엎어지면 코 닿을 데야.It’s just around the corner.
• 어머, 부끄러워.I’m so embarrassed.
• 세상에 공짜가 어딨어?There’s no such thing as a free lunch!
• 너, 철 좀 들어라!Why don’t you act your age?

고사성어 (4-Syllable Korean Phrases)

고사성어 

(故事成語) [고ː사성어]

There are so many 고사성어 (故事成語) or 사자성어 (四字成語) in Korean language

[명사] 옛 실제의 이야기에서 유래한, 한자로 이루어진 말.
故 old 事 event 成 made 語 idiom here , usually word,
Idiom from old real story composed of chinese characters

사자성어 (四字成語) Idiom composed of 4 chinese characters

For example:
대기만성 / 大器晩成 大 큰 대 器 그릇 기 晩 늦을 만 成 이룰 성
겉뜻 ; 큰 그릇은 만드는 데는 시간이 걸린다는 말
겉뜻 / surface meaning
It takes much time to complete a big bowl.

속뜻 ; 큰 사람이 되기 위해서는, 많은 노력과 시간이 필요하다는 뜻.
inside meaning [ real meaning ]
To become a great person, you need so much effort and .time

Vocab:
大 대 dae 

器 기ki 

晩 만 man 

成 성 sung 

大 큰 big 

器 그릇 bowl 

晩 늦게 late 

成 이루다 achieve, make



A lesson from 안희동선생님 from 페북

Using Korean (pdf)

Other than studying online (at TTMIK), Using Korean's also a good material for studying Korean. It has examples and explanations from Style and Usage, Vocabulary to Grammar.

Download "Using Korean" from 4shared

D-58 is Friday and that is tomorrow.

Today is the end of D-59.

Reading Korean (Hangul, Pronunciation, Intonation)

Reading, Speaking Korean Properly
Here's a good site that will help you with the proper pronunciation, sound changes and intonation for better Korean speaking skills.

Korean Language and TOPIK Resources Online

여러분, 안녕하세요! You're probably here because (1) you want to learn Korean or (2) you need resources for the TOPIK for free.

Well, there are a lot of free online resources. Yay!
Anyway, I've made a list of the websites I found just recently.

I've been studying Korean on-and-off (because of school, Japanese or laziness) for more than a year. Although I can make a few sentences, there's still a lot of things that I don't know. The main reason is I have a poor vocabulary. I just studied Level 3 and Level 4 of TTMIK this year, for two weeks; although I learned a lot of grammar points... what I know is still not good enough to watch Korean dramas without subtitles or attempt to take the Intermediate Level of TOPIK.

For those who have no idea what the TOPIK is, it stands for Test of Proficiency in Korean. There are 3 levels, Beginner (Level 1 and Level 2), Intermediate (Level 3 and Level 4) and Advanced (Level 5 and Level 6). You need to be at least a Level 4 in TOPIK if you want to study in a university in Korea.

Okay back to those who want to learn Korean online the best way is to check the following links:

Talk to Me in Korean
I advise you to memorize hangeul first, it's easy if you really want to learn. Then, start with Level 1, you can find it under the "Lessons" dropdown box. There's a downloadable pdf and and mp3 to accompany the pdf for free! When you're done with Level 4, I suppose you can start checking the "Iyagi" part of TTMIK.
How do you say this in Korean is a part of TTMIK, you can ask an phrase, sentence you want translated to Korean, the teachers and advanced students at TTMIK will be sure to help you right away.
Video Homeworks are practices for those who are studying lessons on TTMIK. 재미있어요! They also have Video Lessons and so much more!

TTMIK's Youtube Account is where you can find all sorts of learning materials!

Ezcorean (Online Dictionary)
Online dictionary, haven't tried this yet but it's probably more trustworthy than google translate. The sole author of Topik Guide used this for the vocabulary list for TOPIK and so far, the definitions were good.


Lang-8
Lang-8 is the best place to practice your Korean sentences. Your entries would be checked by native korean speakers.

TOPIK Resources

TOPIK Guide 
Vocabularies, Grammar points etc. for those you want to take the TOPIK. It's the best resource online.

Vocabulary Lists from TOPIK Guide 
If you really really want to be good in Korean or pass the TOPIK, this link would be a great help. I plan on memorizing everything for Beginner and Intermediate for the 30th and 32nd TOPIK.

Naldaramjui TOPIK Practice (ONLINE)
If you want to practice TOPIK online, this link is for you.

Korea Topik (Past TOPIK Downloads)
They have everything. Seriously.

Test your Korean
Main page (Facebook)
Classroom Objects
Animal names
Animal names (2)
Adjectives
Sports
Postpositional Particles(Elementary)
Postpositional Particles (Intermediate)
Adverb
Conjunctive Adverb
TOPIK Vocab and Grammar (Elementary)
TOPIK Vocab and Grammar (Elementary) 2

Past TOPIK Downloads

TOPIK 합격!! 토픽코리아와 함께!!

How do you say -insert here- in Korean?

Ask the TTMIK staff or helpful students with your questions!

http://www.talktomeinkorean.com/lessons/howdoyousay/

Practice for TOPIK online!

Naldaramjui

Unexpected 14th

Today, I made a Japanese friend. I am sooooo happy!

A lot of things happened. I woke up too early--- 3:00 AM, ate rice for breakfast, studied Korean but fell asleep before the sun rose completely.

I woke up a few hours later and studied Korean again.

I finished Level 4 of TTMIK.

I started writing a reviewer from Level 1 in preparation for the TOPIK on April 21st.

Someone told me degrading words in the afternoon and I cried and almost, almost completely lost my happiness. Thank God I have my loving relatives with me. My cousin offered me a chocolate to make me feel better.

Last night, I saw B.A.P.'s 'One Shot', it was the first time I saw them and heard their song, and I thought that it was awesome. Plus, a part of their MV was shot in the Philippines. After eating and recovering my will to live, I went to search tutorials on B.A.P.'s dance stuff.

I ended up losing my momentum with the reviewer, thanks to whoever came but left shortly after.

Strangely, my computer was able to download episodes of Kuroko no Basuke! 

Two of my cousins suddenly entered the house, one of them offered her new recipe for a snack-- 정말 맛있었요! The other only said hi but he left after a few seconds, it was quite unexpected. 

And after eating dinner, I got a friend request from a Japanese person in facebook. After accepting her friend request, she immediately sent me a message! And it was in~ drumroll please.... KOREAN! 대박!

I chatted with her and her 한국어 was so good! I had to use the translator to fully comprehend her messages ㅠㅠ

I am happy to make a new friend. Although something bad happened today, a lot of good things happened~ so I'm really happy.

Tomorrow~ I have to go to the market with my aunt~ after that I will study hard. 집에 가자마자 한국어를 열심히 공부할 거예요!

Oh~ and I will also try to learn how to dance~ That is my goal for this year.