So, you finally made a decision to start learning Korean! I’m glad to hear that, I know that it’s a big step that takes a lot of effort and time, and even money sometimes. Now that you decided to learn Korean, it’s time for you to choose what kind of options you have in order to learn Korean and what are the pros and cons of each method.
We’ll be talking about 5 different types of learning methods you can find locally or remotely: On-site group class, on-site private tutoring, online live group lessons, online live private tutoring, and online courses that you can follow through.
In this post, let us first see the advantages and difficulties that you can encounter with on-site learning methods.
1. On-site group class: University or Private institute?
It is the most traditional method to learn something, to enrol at a school that can provide you with certain courses. Some universities and colleges offer paid language courses to their own students or local residents. It is the place where you can find highly experienced professors, however, it is commonplace that you end up in a class with dozens of other students and have less chance to engage directly with the instructor. It is also highly likely that the schedule is fixed either in the morning or afternoon, so it may not be the most suitable schedule for you if you work full time or have a family to take care of.
If your local college doesn’t provide Korean course or their program doesn’t meet your need, you may try finding a private institute. private institutes are often more expensive than university courses but they are more flexible when it comes to the level and the number of students. However, the proficiency of teachers is not always guaranteed, as the institutes need to hire teachers among a limited number of candidates who can work in that specific region. Talented native Korean teachers are less likely to be hired when they do not possess working permits in your country.
2. On-site private tutoring: Finding a needle in a haystack
If you can’t find a suitable schedule in the local classes, or if you can’t find any class around you, but still want to take the class in person, finding a private tutor can be a great alternative. Private tutors are mostly native-speaking students or immigrants who teach as a side hustle. It is also a typical way to start teaching without a certification. (It’s also what I did 10 years ago!)
It is also possible to find qualified profiles such as freelance translators, or former lecturers, depending on your budget and location.
You can check some online platforms (e.g. Superprof) to find the tutors around your area or ask the local community if they have any connections.
However, it is not always easy to find a perfect private tutor as most of them don’t go through the selection process (anyone can call themselves a tutor) and you don't have any way to prove their quality before meeting them in person. You may have to meet everyone in the town to find out if you like their teaching style or not and eventually choose the one who can teach you properly.
Finding the best Korean teacher or Korean class to bring you to the next step is a hard journey. Especially if you have the other factors that limit you to have access to the best quality programs; such as budget, schedule, location or language barrier.
If you are still struggling to find the best fit for you, LKWM suggest more innovative and efficient ways to learn a language! Stay tuned and check out the 2nd post of this thread :)
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