When you search for "Korean" in the app market, you'll find countless language learning apps. Apps can be incredibly useful tools for learning a language, but they're not always the most popular choice among serious learners. Why is that? In this post, I’ll share some tips on how to choose a good Korean language app. These tips won’t only help you find a great Korean app but will also be useful when searching for apps to learn other languages.
Is the App Focused Solely on Teaching Korean?
There are some very popular global language apps that allow you to learn multiple languages. While it's convenient to have access to many languages, these apps often contain awkward expressions. Why? It’s because they tend to create one lesson and then simply translate it into different languages. Since each language has its own unique way of expressing things, this approach often results in unnatural phrases.
I had a similar experience when learning Thai. I subscribed to a premium version of a well-known app, but after conversing with native speakers, I realized I was learning awkward phrases. I felt betrayed by the app and deleted it immediately.
So, the first thing you should check is whether the app focuses solely on teaching Korean. A couple of additional languages might not be a dealbreaker, but if the app offers 10 or more languages, you might want to reconsider.
Was It Created by Native Speakers?
After my experience with Thai, I wondered about Korean apps. Since I’m a native Korean speaker, I figured I could easily spot issues. I searched for "Learning Korean" in the app store and downloaded about ten of the most popular apps. I was shocked. Many of them had incorrect or awkward expressions, even in the app's promotional images. I could immediately tell that these apps were not made by native speakers.
Learning a language from native speakers is always the most effective method. While you might be able to practice with another learner, it’s hard to learn the language accurately this way. That’s why it’s important to choose an app created with the help of native speakers. You can check the app details or ask a Korean friend to help you identify whether native speakers were involved in its development.
Does the Audio Sound Natural?
Most language apps offer audio features to help you with pronunciation. When developing an app, companies usually hire voice actors or use AI-generated voices for this. If the developers have the budget, they can hire voice actors to provide very natural pronunciations, but this is rare. Most apps rely on AI-generated voices, and the quality of these voices can vary greatly depending on the AI used. To learn natural Korean pronunciation, you need to listen to natural-sounding audio.
When I was developing my own app, "Podo Korean", I wanted to use AI-generated voices. While AI technology has improved, I found that it still had some limitations. During testing, I noticed that the AI pronunciation was mostly fine but sounded odd in certain sentences. In the end, I decided to record the audio myself. While I’m not a professional voice actor, I figured learners would benefit from hearing the everyday pronunciation of a native Korean speaker. However, recording the audio wasn’t easy. I had to record in a small, stuffy closet to maintain consistent sound quality, and organizing all the audio files took a lot of time. I look forward to the day when AI audio technology is more advanced!
Are the Lessons Well-Structured?
Before developing "Podo Korean", I surveyed 402 Korean learners. The biggest complaint they had about existing Korean apps was the "low quality of lessons".
While there are many Korean apps available, serious learners found that only a few offered quality content. It seems that many learners’ frustrations with these apps have caused them to turn away from using them as language learning tools, as I mentioned earlier.
If you find an app you like, it’s important to check the curriculum it offers. Make sure the lessons don’t just focus on the basics, that there’s enough content, and that the app allows you to progress to higher levels.
➤ The app I developed, "Podo Korean", reflects all the qualities of a good app we’ve discussed. As the developer, of course, I hope you’ll download it! But I know my app isn’t perfect, so it’s a good idea to use my app alongside other apps that meet these criteria. By using multiple high-quality apps, you’ll be able to improve your Korean skills even faster!
