여러분, 안녕하세요! And happy Valentine’s Day week! 💕 This episode of TOPIK & Beyond is all about love—love for learning, love for progress, and most importantly, love for YOU, my incredible listeners.
Today, I’m spreading a little Valentine’s magic with something special: a sneak peek into my TOPIK II Mastery Program, designed to help you reach your goals and succeed on the exam. And because it’s Valentine’s, I’m giving you 10% off if you pre-register during this special period. Don’t miss this chance!
준비됐나요? 그럼 시작해 봅시다!
🎵 [Cue Music] 🎵
다시 한 번 안녕하세요, 여러분! Welcome back to TOPIK & Beyond. 저는 엘라이자입니다. Today’s episode is a little different—it’s part Valentine’s celebration, part special announcement! 🎉
As a teacher, I’ve always believed that love and care are at the heart of great learning. When you feel supported and motivated, you achieve so much more. And that’s exactly what my TOPIK II Mastery Program is about: guiding you with personalized care, structured lessons, and effective strategies so you can master the exam and feel confident.
So, in today’s episode, along with useful vocabulary and the grammar point, at TOPIK Focus, I’ll share more details about the program, why it’s perfect for you if you’re aiming for TOPIK II success, and of course, how to get that 10% Valentine’s discount! ❤️ Let’s dive in!
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about chocolates and flowers—it’s also a time to reflect on the things and people we love. For me, one of the things I love most is helping Korean learners achieve their goals—it’s what I do and it’s also one of the things that I do best. I see every student as unique, and it’s important to me that you feel supported and empowered throughout your learning journey. That’s why I created the TOPIK II Mastery Program.
This program isn’t just about studying—it’s about helping you build the skills, confidence, and motivation you need to succeed. Whether you’re aiming for level 3, 4, or beyond, you’ll get:
* Personalized guidance tailored to your needs.
* Clear explanations of grammar and vocabulary commonly tested on TOPIK II.
* Intensive writing practice with feedback, so you know exactly how to improve your essays.
So, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to level up your Korean, this is it! 지금이 바로 그 순간이에요! (Now is the moment!)
Related Vocabulary, Phrases, and Grammar
자, 먼저 오늘의 단어들입니다! 오늘의 단어들은 밸런타인데이와 관련된 단어들입니다! These words will help you express love, give gifts, and talk about relationships—whether you’re confessing your love or planning a date. 💕
1. 사랑 (sarang) – Love
Example: 사랑은 모든 것을 변화시킬 수 있어요.
(Love can change everything.)
2. 초콜릿 (chokollit) – Chocolate
Example: 밸런타인데이에는 초콜릿이 필수예요.
(Chocolate is a must on Valentine’s Day.)
3. 선물 (seonmul) – Gift
Example: 친구에게 작은 선물을 준비했어요.
(I prepared a small gift for my friend.)
4. 고백하다 (gobaek-hada) – To confess (feelings)
Example: 오늘 좋아하는 사람에게 고백하려고 해요.
(Today, I plan to confess to someone I like.)
5. 데이트 (deiteu) – Date
Example: 우리는 이번 주말에 데이트를 할 거예요.
(We’re going on a date this weekend.)
6. 주다 (juda) – To give
Example: 친구에게 초콜릿을 주었어요.
(I gave my friend some chocolate.)
7. 행복 (haengbok) – Happiness
Example: 사랑하는 사람과 함께 있으면 행복해요.
(I’m happy when I’m with the person I love.)
8. 포옹하다 (poonghada) – To hug
Example: 그는 기쁜 소식을 듣고 친구를 포옹했어요.
(He hugged his friend after hearing the good news.)
9. 로맨틱 (romaentik) – Romantic
Example: 그 영화는 정말 로맨틱한 장면이 많아요.
(That movie has so many romantic scenes.)
10. 설레다 (seolleda) – To flutter, to feel excited or nervous
Example: 고백하기 전에는 항상 마음이 설레요.
(I always feel butterflies before confessing.)
Grammar: Using -(으)니까 to Give Reasons
오늘의 문법 포인트는 -(으)니까 입니다. This grammar structure is great for giving reasons or explanations, and you’ll see it often in both conversation and writing.
* Structure: Verb + -(으)니까
* When the verb stem ends in a consonant, use -으니까 (e.g., 먹으니까).
* When the verb stem ends in a vowel, use -니까 (e.g., 가니까).
Example:
* 지금 등록하면 할인받을 수 있으니까 놓치지 마세요!
(If you register now, you can get a discount, so don’t miss out!)
* 데이트할 곳이 많으니까 주말이 기대돼요.
(There are so many places to go on a date, so I’m excited for the weekend.)
* 초콜릿을 좋아하니까 밸런타인데이가 제일 좋아요.
(I love chocolate, so Valentine’s Day is my favorite.)
Try using this grammar structure when you give reasons in your essays or daily conversations. It’s simple but powerful!
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TOPIK Focus
Today, let’s talk about one of the key benefits of the TOPIK II Mastery Program. TOPIK II 준비에 가장 중요한 부분인 쓰기, 읽기, 듣기, 그리고 말하기에 대해 이야기해 볼까요? For many learners, certain sections of the exam—especially writing—feel overwhelming. But what if you had a program that helped you master all sections step by step, with guidance, feedback, and proven strategies? That’s exactly what my TOPIK II Mastery Program is designed to do. 💪
Why You Need a Balanced Approach for TOPIK II:
Some learners focus too much on one section—maybe writing or vocabulary—and neglect other key areas like listening or reading comprehension. But TOPIK II requires well-rounded skills to achieve a high score. Here’s how we cover all four sections:
1. Writing Section: Structured Practice and Feedback
Writing is one of the most challenging areas for many learners, but it’s also where you can score big when you’re well-prepared. Here’s what we do:
* Learn Essay Structure: We’ll teach you how to structure different types of essays with clear introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions.
* Grammar and Vocabulary Practice: Each lesson focuses on grammar points like -(으)니까, -(으)며, and connectors that help your writing flow naturally.
* Detailed Feedback: You’ll receive personalized feedback on your essays—everything from sentence structure to how well you’ve addressed the prompt.
* Example Essay Prompt:
* "자연을 그대로 보존해야 한다는 주장과 인간을 위해 자연을 개발해야 한다는 주장이 있습니다. 이에 대한 자신의 견해를 서술하십시오."
* We’ll teach you how to break down prompts like this and develop well-organized, thoughtful responses.
2. Reading Section: Building Comprehension and Speed
TOPIK II’s reading section requires more than just recognizing vocabulary—you need to grasp main ideas, details, and logical connections between paragraphs. Here’s how we help you:
* Reading Strategies: Learn how to skim passages for key information and identify answers quickly.
* Practice with Longer Passages: As TOPIK II includes longer and more complex texts, we’ll practice with similar materials to build your reading endurance.
* Vocabulary in Context: We’ll cover commonly tested words and idiomatic expressions to help you understand texts more easily.
3. Listening Section: Active Listening and Understanding Nuance
The listening section of TOPIK II includes monologues, dialogues, and announcements that test comprehension of main ideas and details. We’ll make sure you’re prepared by:
* Practicing with Real Audio: We’ll use authentic Korean audio clips—like interviews, podcasts, and announcements—to mimic the exam environment.
* Listening for Key Words: Learn how to identify signal words like 누가 (who), 언제 (when), 왜 (why) and focus on what the speaker is emphasizing.
* Shadowing Practice: Improve your listening and pronunciation by repeating sentences after native speakers.
4. Speaking Section: Express Yourself with Confidence
Even though the speaking section isn’t part of TOPIK II yet, many learners want to improve their speaking skills for real-life situations or prepare for the future TOPIK Speaking Test. Here’s how we help:
* Pronunciation and Intonation: Practice speaking with accurate pronunciation and natural rhythm.
* Role-Playing Activities: Simulate real conversations where you discuss topics related to the exam (e.g., culture, current events, or personal experiences).
* Expressing Opinions: Practice answering questions clearly and confidently, using vocabulary and grammar learned throughout the program.
How We Tie It All Together:
The TOPIK II Mastery Program isn’t about studying each section separately—it’s about creating a well-rounded approach that connects all areas of your learning. For example:
* What you learn in the reading section can help you write better essays.
* Grammar from listening exercises can be applied to your writing tasks.
* Speaking practice builds confidence, making comprehension and expression easier across all sections.
So, whether writing is your weak spot, or you need to improve your reading and listening comprehension, this program is designed to meet you where you are and help you level up in every section. 💪
And remember, you can pre-register now and get 10% off with our Valentine’s special! 🎉
이 밸런타인데이에 스스로에게 최고의 선물을 주세요—바로 여러분의 TOPIK 목표에 한 걸음 더 가까워지는 것입니다. Feel the love and take advantage of our 10% Valentine’s special discount by pre-registering for the TOPIK II Mastery Program today! 💕
📲 Visit the link on the Show Notes to sign up and get the discount before it’s gone!
그리고, 여러분의 설렘과 목표를 저와 공유해 주세요!
📸 Post about your TOPIK goals or excitement for the program on Instagram. Tag @korean.joaacademy and use #topikandbeyond so I can cheer you on!
This program is my way of showing love and support to you, and I can’t wait to help you succeed. 감사합니다, 여러분! Happy Valentine’s Day, and I’ll see you in the next episode. 💖