여러분, 안녕하세요! This is Eliza, and welcome back to TOPIK & Beyond! Are you ready to take your Korean learning journey to the next level? Whether you’re just starting out or need a boost in your study routine, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration to keep you moving forward.
We’ll be talking about the common challenges beginner learners face, how 한글 has made Korean one of the most accessible languages to learn, and strategies to tackle TOPIK reading comprehension questions like a pro. So, grab your notebook and let’s get started!
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Welcome back! I’m so glad you’re here with me today for another episode of TOPIK & Beyond. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay motivated or set up an effective study routine, you’re in the right place. In this episode, we’ll cover study-related vocabulary, helpful grammar for expressing your learning goals, and even break down a sample beginner-level TOPIK reading question.
Let’s kick things off by talking about some common challenges we all face as beginner Korean learners—and how the brilliance of 한글 makes everything just a little easier. 준비됐나요? Let’s go!
History/Story/Overview
This week, we’re diving into study tips for beginner Korean learners. If you’ve ever struggled with where to start or how to stay consistent, this episode is for you.
Let’s start with some common challenges that beginner Korean learners face. Last episode, I mentioned about learning French and that I was overwhelmed by everything—grammar rules, pronunciation, vocabulary, and of course, 한국어 is the same! At times, it might feel like you’re trying to solve a puzzle where you don’t even know what the pieces looked like.
But here’s the good news: 한글, the Korean writing system, is one of the simplest and most logical alphabets in the world. It was specifically designed to make literacy accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or education level.
The story goes back to the 15th century during King Sejong’s reign. At the time, Korea used Classical Chinese characters, which were difficult and time-consuming to learn. King Sejong wanted to create a system that was easy to learn and use, so he introduced 한글 in 1443. Each letter represents a single sound, and the shapes of the consonants even mimic how your mouth moves to produce the sound! Isn’t that amazing?
한글 made it possible for more people to read, write, and express themselves. And today, it’s your first key to mastering Korean.
As we tackle study challenges together, let’s remember the simplicity and brilliance of 한글 and use it as inspiration to keep moving forward.
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Related Vocabulary, Phrases, and Grammar
공부를 더 효과적으로 하기 위해, 오늘은 공부 관련 단어를 배워볼 거예요. These terms will help you talk about your study habits in Korean:
1. 공부하다 (gongbuhada) – to study
Example: 매일 열심히 공부하려고 해요. (I’m trying to study hard every day.)
2. 계획 (gyehwek) – plan
Example: 주간 공부 계획을 세웠어요. (I made a weekly study plan.)
3. 복습 (boksseup) – review
Example: 복습을 꾸준히 해야 돼요. (You need to review consistently.)
4. 예습 (yesseup) – preview
Example: 다음 수업을 위해 예습을 했어요. (I previewed the next lesson.)
5. 학습 (hakseup) – learning
Example: 학습 과정은 시간이 걸립니다. (The learning process takes time.)
6. 진도 (jindo) – progress
Example: 공부 진도가 느리지만 포기하지 마세요. (Your progress might be slow, but don’t give up.)
7. 효율적 (hyo-yul-jeok) – efficient
Example: 효율적으로 공부하는 게 중요해요. (It’s important to study efficiently.)
8. 집중 (jipjung) – focus
Example: 공부할 때 집중하기가 힘들어요. (It’s hard to focus while studying.)
9. 목표 (mokpyo) – goal
Example: 이번 달 목표는 단어 200개 외우기예요. (This month’s goal is to memorize 200 words.)
10. 도움 (doum) – help
Example: 좋은 자료가 공부에 도움이 돼요. (Good materials help with studying.)
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Useful Grammar: -(으)면 좋겠다
오늘의 문법 포인트는 -(으)면 좋겠다입니다. This is used to express hope or a wish for something to happen.
1. Structure:
* Verb stem + -(으)면 좋겠다
* Add -으면 if the verb ends in a consonant.
* Add -면 if the verb ends in a vowel.
2. Examples:
* 공부하다 → 공부하면 좋겠다 (I hope to study.)
Example: 매일 2시간씩 공부하면 좋겠어요. (I hope I can study for 2 hours every day.)
* 가다 → 가면 좋겠다 (It would be nice to go.)
Example: 한국에 빨리 가면 좋겠어요. (I hope to go to Korea soon.)
* 배우다 → 배우면 좋겠다 (It would be nice to learn.)
Example: 새로운 표현을 배우면 좋겠어요. (I hope to learn new expressions.)
Try using -(으)면 좋겠다 to talk about your learning hopes or study wishes!
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TOPIK Focus
이제, 오늘의 TOPIK Focus로 넘어가 봅시다! Last week, we talked about the basics of TOPIK I, which is perfect for beginners. Today, let’s dive into TOPIK II, designed for intermediate and advanced learners.
What is TOPIK II?
TOPIK II는 3~6레벨을 목표로 하는 학습자를 위한 시험이에요. 더 복잡한 상황에서 한국어를 이해하고 사용하는 능력을 평가하는 고급 시험입니다. 한국에서 일하거나, 교육을 받거나, 영주권을 신청할 계획이라면 TOPIK II가 종종 필수예요.
TOPIK II는 3개의 섹션으로 구성되어 있어요:
1. 듣기 – 50 문항, 60분
* 다양한 주제에 대한 대화, 강의, 토론이 포함되고
* 주요 아이디어, 말하는 사람의 의도, 심지어 미묘한 뉘앙스까지 파악해야 돼요.
2. 읽기 – 50 문항, 70분
* 에세이, 기사, 광고를 다루고
* 자세한 정보를 이해하고 작성된 내용을 분석하는 능력을 테스트합니다.
3. 쓰기 – 2개의 과제, 50분
* 과제 1: 문장 완성, 질문 답변 등 짧은 응답을 작성 해야하고
* 과제 2: 주어진 주제에 대해 한국어에 대한 보다 깊은 이해와 사용이 필요한 에세이를 작성해요.
TOPIK II is definitely more challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s absolutely achievable. Let’s go over some tips to help you prepare!
Tips for Preparing for TOPIK II
1. Build Advanced Vocabulary:
* Focus on academic, technical, and formal expressions. Words related to politics, economics, and social issues often appear in reading and listening sections.
* Use flashcards or apps to practice regularly.
If you’re preparing to move from TOPIK I to TOPIK II, building your vocabulary is key. That’s why I created a free TOPIK Vocabulary Guide, covering essential words and phrases you need to know. The link to the guide is in the show notes section. This guide is perfect for:
* Expanding your vocabulary to tackle TOPIK II-level topics like education, society, and technology.
* Practicing words that frequently appear in TOPIK exams.
* Building confidence as you prepare for the leap from beginner to intermediate Korean.
2. Practice Structured Writing:
* For the writing section, get comfortable with organizing your thoughts logically. Practice outlining essays before writing them.
* Familiarize yourself with common essay topics like environmental issues, education, or cultural comparisons.
3. Focus on Listening Comprehension:
* The listening section includes longer and more detailed conversations, so practice with Korean news broadcasts, podcasts, or debates.
* Take notes while listening to catch key points and transitions.
4. Improve Reading Speed and Comprehension:
* Time yourself when reading articles or essays to improve speed.
* Look for mock TOPIK II reading sections to practice identifying main ideas and implied meanings.
5. Study Past Papers:
* Familiarize yourself with the question formats and difficulty level by solving past TOPIK II exams. Pay special attention to the essay-writing tasks and model answers.
TOPIK II is a test of persistence and critical thinking. You’re not just demonstrating language skills—you’re showing how well you can apply them in real-world contexts.
여러분, 공부 환경도 성공에 중요한 역할을 한다는 거 알고 계셨나요? A good study setup can boost your focus and motivation.
I’d love to see where you’re studying! Share a photo of your study setup on Instagram and tag @korean.joa with the hashtag #topikandbeyond. Whether it’s a cozy corner in your home or a favorite café, let’s inspire each other with our learning spaces.
오늘도 열심히 공부하시고, 꾸준히 복습하는 거 잊지 마세요! Remember, small daily efforts lead to big achievements. 파이팅!
