Many students start learning Korean because they love the country, but I’ve seen some grow discouraged when their progress seems slow, and they feel stuck. This is what we call a slump. Language learning isn't something that happens overnight, so I always tell my students this:
Experiencing a slump is completely normal.
In this post, let’s explore some smart ways to overcome a language learning slump.
Take a Break
Why did you start learning Korean in the first place? Was it because of K-dramas, K-pop, Korean friends, food, or culture? For now, set aside your Korean studies and simply enjoy what originally drew you to the language. But don’t force yourself to connect this with your studies. Just take the time to enjoy what you love about Korea without feeling pressured to learn. By giving yourself a break, you'll naturally regain the desire to study Korean again.
Language Learning Is a Lifelong Journey
As I mentioned earlier, you can’t master a language in a short time. Have you ever met a foreigner who speaks fluent Korean? They are likely still learning in their own way, just like you. The key difference is that they’re enjoying the process of learning.
Early in my teaching career, I had an American student who booked a lesson. What surprised me was that he was 82 years old! He had served in the US military in Gunsan, Korea, just two years after the Korean War ended in 1955. He had witnessed the transformation of Korea firsthand and felt proud of the country's progress, which inspired him to study Korean. He wasn't just learning Korean—he was also teaching English at a local library, where he studied Japanese and Lao with his students. That experience taught me that language can be a lifelong hobby, regardless of age.
As I’ve shared in previous posts, if you’re learning a language purely for economic or career benefits, other languages might be more efficient. However, if you're learning Korean because you love Korea itself, then it can be one of the most rewarding hobbies.
Simplify Your Thoughts
Have you ever had so many thoughts in your head, but struggled to get them out in Korean? This happens not only in Korean but in any foreign language.
Language is a vessel for our thoughts.
I love this phrase because it’s true—when your thoughts are too complicated, it becomes harder to speak. Start by simplifying your thoughts into shorter sentences. Break them up so they’re easier to express in Korean. For example, if you want to say:
• "시장에 가서 물을 샀어요." (I went to the market and bought water.)
But you can’t get it out in Korean, try breaking it down:
• "시장에 갔어요. 그리고 물을 샀어요." (I went to the market. Then, I bought water.)
• "가게에 갔어요. 그리고 물을 샀어요."
And if you still can’t think of a replacement word, you can switch to English while keeping the Korean sentence structure:
• "market에 갔어요. 그리고 물을 샀어요." (I went to the market. Then, I bought water.)
➤ These are three ways to overcome the inevitable slump in learning Korean. If you can push through it and decide to keep studying, your Korean will already be one step ahead!
