You can survive in Korea with very little Korean, but you will thrive with even a basic command of it. Reading signs, ordering food, talking to neighbours, handling officials, and building real friendships all get dramatically easier. Learning Korean is also useful — sometimes required — for jobs, study and long-term visas. Here is how to actually do it.
Start with the alphabet — it is easier than you think
Hangul, the Korean alphabet, was designed to be easy to learn, and most people can read it (slowly) after just a few days of practice. Reading Hangul instantly helps you with signs, menus, app and place names. Do this first — it is the highest-value step.
Ways to learn
Free and low-cost classes
- Multicultural Family Support Centres and community centres offer free or cheap Korean classes to foreign residents — one of the best-kept secrets for newcomers
- Local government and volunteer programs run beginner courses
- Some universities and churches offer community classes
University language programs
For serious, structured study, university language institutes offer intensive courses (these are also the basis of the D-4 student visa). They are the fastest route to fluency if you can commit the time.
Apps and self-study
- Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK) — excellent, friendly lessons for all levels
- Duolingo and Memrise — good for daily habit and vocabulary
- Anki — flashcards for memorising words efficiently
- Papago — not a teacher, but a superb translator for daily life
Practice with people
- Language exchange (you teach English, they teach Korean) is free and effective
- KakaoTalk open chats and meetup groups connect learners
- Your everyday errands are practice — order, greet and ask in Korean even when nervous
The TOPIK exam
The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is the official standard, with levels 1 to 6. It matters because it is used for:
- University admission
- Some jobs
- Visa changes and points toward F-2 and F-5
If permanent residency is your goal, work toward the TOPIK level (or KIIP completion) your route requires — start early, as language takes time.
A realistic plan for a busy person
- Week 1: learn to read Hangul (TTMIK or a free guide)
- Weeks 2 to 8: a daily app habit (15 minutes) plus survival phrases — greetings, numbers, directions, ordering, money
- Ongoing: join a free local class for structure, and practise with real people weekly
- When ready: target a TOPIK level if you need it for work, study or your visa
Tips that make it stick
- Little and often beats occasional cramming
- Learn what you actually use first — your neighbourhood, your job, your errands
- Do not fear mistakes; Koreans appreciate any effort to speak their language
- Lean on the community — fellow members can recommend the best local class and practise with you
Read Hangul this week, build a 15-minute daily app habit, and grab a free class at your local multicultural centre. Even basic Korean transforms daily life — and if F-5 is the goal, start working toward your TOPIK level now.