Guides

Learn Korean, with a map.

Practical guides to the questions every Korean learner asks, written by the team behind the 140-lesson VIA Korean course.

• How Long Does It Take to Learn Korean? Honest Timelines by Goal

  Read Hangul in a week, reach TOPIK 1 in about 7 months, converse in 1–2 years. Real study-hour math: FSI data and daily 30-minute plans.

• How to Learn Korean: A Month-by-Month Roadmap from Zero to TOPIK 1

  A month-by-month roadmap from zero to TOPIK 1: learn Hangul in week one, drop romanization early, pace your vocabulary, and know when grammar clicks.

• How to Read Korean: Decoding Hangul Syllable Blocks Step by Step

  Learn how to read Korean by decoding Hangul syllable blocks: the three block shapes, final consonants, and the sound rules, with real worked examples.

• Korean Grammar for Beginners: A Map of What to Learn First

  A beginner's map of Korean grammar: word order, particles, politeness levels, and conjugation. What to learn in what order, and what to skip at first.

• Learn Hangul in 7 Days: The Korean Alphabet, Step by Step

  A 7-day plan to learn Hangul: why the Korean alphabet was designed to be easy, how syllable blocks and batchim work, and what to study each day.

• The Korean Alphabet: All 24 Hangul Letters, Sounds, and Syllable Rules

  Learn the Korean alphabet: all 24 Hangul letters with sound charts, syllable-block rules, and a 7-day plan to go from zero to reading real Korean.

• TOPIK 1 Guide: Format, Scoring, Vocabulary, and a 7-Month Prep Plan

  Complete TOPIK 1 guide: test format, scoring for levels 1–2, how many words you need (800–2,000), registration, and a 7-month prep plan.

• Which Korean Textbook Should You Buy? An Honest Comparison for Self-Learners

  TTMIK, Korean From Zero, Integrated Korean, apps, and free options compared honestly: which Korean textbook fits how you actually study.