As a Korean teacher, I truly hope all my students find learning Korean fun and fast. However, the reality is that language learning isn’t always easy. It can sometimes feel slow or even boring. But learning a language is a skill, much like any other. For example, think back to when your parents taught you how to ride a bike. Mastering a skill requires three key things:
You Have to Fall Repeatedly
Is there anyone who learned to ride a bike without falling? Probably not—it's nearly impossible! The same goes for learning a language. You have to make mistakes over and over.
Many of my students are particularly shy, which makes me wonder if introverted personalities are drawn to the calmness of East Asian cultures. These students tend to feel embarrassed about making mistakes when speaking Korean. I understand because I feel the same when I speak a foreign language. When I overthink grammar or expressions, it becomes difficult to speak naturally.
There are times when I need to communicate with my students in English while teaching Korean. At first, I felt embarrassed about my lack of English fluency. However, I soon realized that native English speakers were impressed that I could speak their language at all! Once I understood that, I stopped worrying about speaking perfectly.
The same applies to you. Even if your Korean is full of mistakes, speak up! Koreans will admire your effort. Just as you have to fall off a bike repeatedly to learn how to ride it, you need to make mistakes to improve your Korean. Soon enough, you’ll hear this often:
"한국어 잘 하시네요!" (Wow, your Korean is really good!)
Learning Alone Isn’t Enough
Sitting in a chair while your parents explain how to ride a bike will never teach you how to ride it. You can’t learn a skill just by studying it. No matter how many Korean words you memorize or how many lessons you take from a talented teacher, you won’t be able to speak Korean unless you practice speaking.
If you're learning with a Korean teacher, try to speak more than your teacher during lessons. Language exchanges with Korean friends are also helpful. Another great option is using the 'Podo Korean' app, where you can repeat audio clips to practice speaking.
There’s a Time Gap Between Learning and Mastery
Once you've understood the first two points, it’s time to be patient. No one becomes an expert in a skill right after learning it. Even after you fully grasp how to ride a bike, it takes time to become proficient. The same is true for Korean. You’ll gradually master new expressions by using them over and over again. During this process, you’ll discover your own style and strengths. So, don’t rush the journey.
➤ These are three key aspects of language learning. Just as we compared it to learning to ride a bike, these principles apply to any skill. You can even use them to improve your hobbies and enjoy life more!
