Books for Learning Korean

Textbooks

• Serious language students will need an academic textbook such as "Elementary Korean, Second Edition" (Tuttle, 2009). Each chapter covers a different topic and offers grammatical exercises and vocabulary lists for practice. The accompanying audio CD helps with correct pronunciation.

  If you have a basic handle on the Korean alphabet, you may prefer "Easy Learning: Korean" (Language Plus, 2007). This textbook's organic approach to language uses the English language rather sparingly. Pictures accompany vocabulary lists instead of translations. Practice dialogues are especially helpful for practical use. As in "Elementary Korean," this textbook includes an audio CD.

  Elementary Korean, Second Edition
  Ross King Ph.D., et al.
  Tuttle Publishing; 2009

  Easy Learning: Korean
  Woo Yeong-sik
  Language Plus; 2007

Workbooks

• For extra practice, try a workbook like "Read and Speak Korean for Beginners" (McGraw-Hill, 2008). Its fun exercises teach and review daily useful situations such as introducing yourself and asking for directions. The audio CD is an added bonus.

  "Korean for Kids Flash Cards Kit" (Tuttle, 2009) is a book that comes with a set of Korean language flashcards to name everyday objects, foods and numbers. Games and activities described within the book help kids---or adults---remember the words. The included audio CD also has songs in Korean to reinforce vocabulary.

  Read and Speak Korean for Beginners
  Sun-jeong Shin
  McGraw-Hill; 2008

  Korean for Kids Flash Cards Kit
  Laura Armitage
  Tuttle Publishing; Crds edition; 2009

Phrasebooks

• Learn phrases and words for everyday situations with "Korean at a Glance" (Barron, 2009). Use this book to learn the alphabet, access everyday phrases in polite language and conduct daily business. In addition to a Korean-English dictionary in the back, bonus features include a guide to road signs, Korean proverbs and a lesson on decoding the complicated number system.

  For those seeking a more academic approach, "Practical Korean" (Tuttle, 2009) is a pocket-sized crash course in the Korean language. This compact book tackles grammar, syntax and the system of formal language while providing basic phrases and words for everyday use.

  Korean at a Glance
  Daniel Holt
  Barron's Educational Series; 2.0 edition; 2009

  Practical Korean: Your Guide to Speaking Korean Quickly and Effortlessly in a Few Hours
  Samuel E. Martin
  Tuttle Publishing; Bilingual edition; 2009