What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn Korean?

Curiosity and good reading skills are typically needed before starting to learn Korean. It can also help if you master the Korean alphabet, which is known as the Hangul, before studying the language, though it can also be learned as part of your language studies. This can help because it gives you an opportunity to recognize the sound of each letter as well as the letter itself. Being a dedicated student who is focused, and making a plan to study each day before you begin your lessons can help you when studying Korean.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in Korean?

People who are interested in Korean culture are typically best suited for roles in Korean. People who have a linguistic gift are also well suited for these roles, as are people who are willing to invest time in studying the language. Additionally, people who are interested in social change, family roles, and gender issues can be well suited to these roles. Those who are planning to conduct business in Korea or with Korean people in a domestic setting can also be suited to the positions available after studying the language.

What are common career paths for someone in Korean?

Becoming a translator who helps Koreans and non-Korean-speaking people interact is typically one of the common career paths for someone who has learned Korean. Another common career path for someone in Korean is to become a travel guide who explains local tourist destinations to Korean-speaking guests. Educators and tutors are two other potential career paths. Additionally, there are some government positions and international trade positions that require travel to Korea or interacting with Korean-language speakers.

What topics can I study that are related to Korean?

Some topics you can study that are related to Korean language studies include Korean culture and Asian studies. International trade is another study option to consider. Some other key topics to consider studying that are related to the Korean language include Confucianism, the country’s cyberculture, and topics that connect your main field of study to the language. This might include IT courses that you could use if building Korean-language websites and architectural studies that you could use if building in Korea using blueprints that are written in Korean.

Why is it important to learn Korean?

The Korean language is spoken by over 75 million people in the world, including more than 51 million South Koreans and 25 million North Koreans. Learning Korean language communication skills is important for understanding more about these countries and their cultures, whether you’re interested in the latest Korean pop groups like BTS, Korean food like bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi, or want to visit the fast-paced, high-tech South Korean capital of Seoul. Korean can also be an important language for pursuing business opportunities. According to the World Bank , South Korea has a GDP of over $1 trillion, led by major global industrial conglomerates (called chaebols) such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG that are some of the largest and most successful companies in the world. North Korea, by contrast, currently has a closed economy with extremely limited business opportunities for foreigners; however, this could change in the future and make Korean language skills an even more valuable asset.

What kinds of careers can I pursue with Korean language skills?

Korean language skills can be helpful for many business careers, especially in the electronics and technology sectors. Being able to communicate with representatives of South Korean chaebols like Samsung in their native language is a tremendous and relatively rare capability, and these language skills can help bridge cultural gaps that can make or break negotiations. If you have fluent or near-fluent skills in Korean speech, writing, and grammar, you can pursue a career as an interpreter or translator. Working to facilitate smooth communications between business and political leaders can be an exciting career, full of international travel and high-profile work opportunities, and translating Korean texts and movies can be an incredibly rewarding cultural experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , interpreters and translators earned a median annual salary of $51,830 in 2019, and these jobs are expected to grow much faster than average due to the increasing globalization of the economy.

Can I learn Korean language skills by taking online courses with Coursera?

Yes - or, eung , in Korean! Coursera offers opportunities to learn a wide range of foreign languages, including Korean. You can learn about the Korean language as well as aspects of Korean culture, economics, and politics from Yonsei University, one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea. And because Coursera lets you learn Korean language skills on a flexible schedule from anywhere in the world, this opportunity can fit into your existing work or family life.

What are the benefits of taking an online Korean course?

Online Korean courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Korean skills. Choose from a wide range of Korean courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Korean courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Korean, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Korean Courses - Learn Korean Online

Status: Free

Yonsei University

First Step Korean

Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Grammar, Vocabulary, Literacy

Status: Free

Yonsei University

Learn to Speak Korean 1

Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Language Interpretation, Translation, and Studies, Vocabulary, Grammar

Sungkyunkwan University

A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Beginners Ⅰ

Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Vocabulary, Grammar

Sungkyunkwan University

A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Intermediate1

Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Vocabulary, Grammar

Status: Free

Peking University

Chinese for Beginners

Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Vocabulary

Sungkyunkwan University

The Korean Alphabet: An Introduction to Hangeul

Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Literacy, Vocabulary, Language Interpretation, Translation, and Studies, Timelines

Yonsei University

Understanding Korean Politics

Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Policy Analysis, Economic Development, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policies, Economics, Governance

Status: Free

Yale University

Financial Markets

Skills you'll gain: Investment Banking, Risk Management, Financial Market, Financial Regulation, Financial Services, Finance, Business Risk Management, Securities (Finance), Financial Policy, Capital Markets, Behavioral Economics, Banking, Corporate Finance, Governance, Insurance, Underwriting, Equities, Derivatives, Mortgage Loans, Decision Making

Sungkyunkwan University

A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Advanced Ⅰ

Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Vocabulary, Culture, Cultural Diversity, Grammar, Interactive Learning, Economics, Data Ethics

Sungkyunkwan University

Korean Philosophy Essentials

Skills you'll gain: Culture, Intercultural Competence, Cultural Diversity, Liberal Arts, Language Learning, Research, Systems Thinking, Social Studies, Formal Learning, Anthropology, Discussion Facilitation, Higher Education, Sociology, Graphical Tools

Status: Free

Yonsei University

The Korean Economic Development

Skills you'll gain: Crisis Management, Economic Development, Economics, Export Control, International Finance, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Financial Policy, Socioeconomics, International Relations, Growth Strategies, Policy Analysis

Sungkyunkwan University

Introduction to Korean Philosophy and Culture

Skills you'll gain: Culture, Cultural Diversity, Intercultural Competence, Liberal Arts, Language Learning, Social Studies, Systems Thinking

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