Beginning Modern Korean

Beginning Modern Korean: An Interactive Approach introduces students to contemporary standard Korean and fosters communicative competence in the language according to contexts, functions, and participants’ roles. The text achieves a unique balance between teaching and learning by actively incorporating the four key skills of language acquisition—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—throughout. The majority of the narratives in the main texts, grammar examples, and exercises are given or conducted in interactive ways so learners can experience the real feeling of language use and the atmosphere of authentic contexts.

The text begins with a comprehensive introduction to Hangul, Korean orthography, providing students with the knowledge and skillsets they need to read and write effectively. Over the course of 16 lessons, students learn new vocabulary, practice grammar exercises, listen to audio files and instructor readings, and sharpen conversational skills. Reading, writing, spelling, and pronunciation exercises support students’ language acquisition, and cultural notes help them develop an awareness and knowledge of Korean culture.

Emphasizing a fully active approach to language learning and acquisition, Beginning Modern Korean is well suited for foundational courses in Korean.