It’s been a while since I’m learning new things all by myself. I taught myself to play the guitar, learn basic computer trouble shooting and web page making. I find it interesting to learn new things, especially things that I’ll be benefiting in the future. Other than the financial rewards like being an interpreter for Koreans and teaching English to them, it gives us a sense of fulfillment and connection to the world.
As of today, I can recognize and read Korean Alphabets and Words. It sound funny, I don’t know what I’m reading. But let me tell you, it makes things easier when you are familiar with the letters and the way Korean’s write and read. After that, vocabulary words, grammar and sentence construction will not be that hard.
Here’s how I did it for almost 1 to 2 months:
Tips for Korean Alphabet Familiarization
1.) Focus on one material - Having to many materials when you are just starting will just make things complex since you need to be familiar with the Korean Alphabet. I would recommend the sites being administered by BusyAtom.com. His videos are very useful! The way you’ll be writing and reading the letters will be easy. You may even download the videos for review. I repeat the videos every night before I sleep. Busy Atom has also a webpage focusing on Korean Alphabets. Here’s the link: www.learnkoreanalphabet.com/home
2.) One at a time – Though one syllable makes things boring, don’t be in a rush. If you practice well in that syllable, changes in the next letter will be easy. Mr. Busy Atom uses one syllable at first but as you progress , you’ll feel that you have already several word in your head!It’s not a joke. Practice that syllable any the next road will be fun.
3.) Write what you say – A few of us has that photographic memory. So, in order to overcome that weakness, write down the syllable. Each stroke of the letters will be easier to memorize because you hand has that feeling. I practice writing Filipino/Tagalog words in Korean Alphabet just for me to register it in my mind. I may not know the right Korean spelling then, but it helps. I’ll just make adjustment in the future. My focus then was to know how to write it and read. Do it during spare time when you are busy.
4.) Read Korean Signs – Here in the Philippines, there are already many Korean establishments. Be able to spend sometime to give it a shot to read it. There’s no harm in trying since you can always go back to your reference material. I have a copy of the Korean letters in my phone, and know I don’t look at it.
5.) Romanization for assistance – This like our phonetics in our earlier years as we learn to read the English language. Romanization of the Korean Alphabet assist us to give us a hint on how to read and say the letters and words. However, it sometimes fail to really guide us. What I did was. I focused in the lectures in busyatom.com and listened carefully as how he says the word.
And that’s how I did it in 2 months, currently, I’m still finding ways in making it easier to memorize and construct proper Korean sentences. I’ll keep you updated on my progress in this adventure. So Kamsahanida (Thank You!)
“The best way to understand what other people are saying is listening first!”
