Always wanted to learn Korean but not sure where to start? Gentle Korean Level 1 is for complete beginners who want to start properly, in a relaxed afternoon class with time to ask questions, practise and try again. 

You’ll begin with Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, learning its vowels and consonants and how they combine, so you can read and write Korean from the start. Alongside this you’ll learn to greet people, introduce yourself in both informal and formal situations, and ask and answer questions about nationalities and jobs. 

Each session is 1 hour 45 minutes, a little longer than our regular classes, so a new alphabet and new language have time to settle before you move on. 

Course format 

Why choose Gentle Korean? 

• The same content as our regular Level 1, with two extra hours of class time 

• Longer afternoon sessions, so there’s time to practise, ask questions and review 

• A relaxed, supportive group where you can build confidence speaking 

• Qualified, experienced teachers at a trusted school in the heart of Covent Garden 

• A clear path onwards to Level 2 

This course is for complete beginners, or anyone who knows a few words of Korean from K-dramas, music or travel but has never studied it in a structured way. 

It’s a good fit for 

• Adults starting Korean from zero who prefer a calmer, more supported pace 

• People with free weekday afternoons, including shift workers, freelancers, parents and retirees 

• Fans of Korean film, TV and music who want to understand more 

• Learners who like time to consolidate before moving on 

This course may be especially useful if you want to 

• Learn Hangeul properly, without rushing 

• Build confidence speaking from the very first lesson 

• Understand when to use formal and informal Korean 

• Set yourself up well for Level 2 

How does this compare to our other Korean courses? 

Gentle Korean and our regular courses cover exactly the same content and lead to the same outcomes. Gentle courses simply give you more time: eight sessions of 1 hour 45 minutes (14 hours) rather than 12 hours. 

The content below is a rough guide. Your teacher will choose the most useful material and adapt the pace to suit the group, so there’s always time to consolidate before moving on. 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to 

• Read and write Hangeul, and pronounce Korean vowels and consonants 

• Greet people 

• Introduce yourself in informal and formal settings 

• Say your nationality and ask other people theirs 

• Talk about jobs, and ask and answer questions about them 

• Say what someone is and isn’t 

Language you’ll learn along the way 

What your Korean will sound like 

안녕하세요? 저는 안나예요. 

Annyeonghaseyo? Jeoneun Annayeyo. 

Hello! I’m Anna. 

저는 영국 사람이에요. 

Jeoneun Yeongguk saramieyo. 

I’m British. 

직업이 무엇입니까? 저는 교사입니다. 

Jigeobi mueosimnikka? Jeoneun gyosaimnida. 

What is your job? I’m a teacher. (formal) 

저는 학생이 아닙니다. 

Jeoneun haksaengi animnida. 

I’m not a student. (formal) 

Self-study 

We recommend around an hour of self-study a week. Short, regular Hangeul reading practice makes a big difference at this stage, and your teacher will suggest exercises to consolidate what you’ve learnt. 

What’s next? 

After this course you can continue to Korean Level 2, in the Gentle format or any of our other Korean courses.

Do I need any Korean before I start? 

No. Level 1 starts from the very beginning, including Hangeul. If you already know some Korean, our free online placement test will help you find the right level. 

Do I need to buy a coursebook? 

The course uses Seoul University Korean 1A (English version, ISBN 9788953949447), which covers our first Korean levels, so you’ll keep using it as you progress.  

How is Gentle Korean different from your regular Level 1? 

The content and outcomes are the same. The difference is time: Gentle courses run for 14 hours over eight 1 hour 45 minute afternoon sessions, rather than 12 hours, so there’s more room for practice, review and questions. 

Is Hangeul difficult to learn? 

Much less than most people expect. Hangeul was designed to be easy to learn, with a small number of letters that combine in logical ways. You’ll learn it step by step, with plenty of practice in class. 

Will the course follow the book exactly? 

Mostly, but not page by page. Your teacher will focus on the most useful content and may add other materials, adapting the pace to suit the group. 

Why does the teacher speak Korean in class? 

Hearing Korean throughout the lesson is one of the most effective ways to build your listening and comprehension. Your teacher will always make sure you understand, using gesture, visuals and carefully chosen language. 

Will I be speaking in class? 

Yes. Speaking is at the heart of every session, in a supportive and encouraging group where making mistakes is part of learning. 

What happens after this course? 

After this course you can continue to Korean Level 2, in the Gentle format or any of our other Korean courses. 

Pack your bags — and your Korean! Korean: Language for Travel is a practical A1 course that helps you speak with confidence on holiday or work trips. Over two consecutive Saturdays at IH London, you’ll practice the phrases that matter through role-plays, guided conversations and real travel scenarios. 

You’ll leave with a “survival Korean” toolkit: high-frequency vocabulary, clearer pronunciation, and easy strategies to keep talking even when you can’t remember the exact word. 

Why study Korean at IH London? 

Korean is a rewarding language for travel, culture and international communication — and you can start using practical phrases quickly.

At International House London, you’ll learn with expert teachers and dynamic, interactive lessons that help you build real communication skills naturally, with plenty of guided speaking practice from day one. 

What’s included in your course? 

• Lesson summaries, notes and learning resources 

• Additional self-study materials 

• Ongoing support from experienced teachers 

• Access to exclusive IH London student workshops and events 

This course is ideal for learners who want practical Korean for travel, including: 

• students who have studied very little Korean but want to use it more confidently 

• beginners who want a focused “holiday Korean” boost 

• learners who can recognise a few basic words/phrases but hesitate when speaking 

• anyone travelling to South Korea who wants useful language for real situations 

If you’re unsure about your level, we can help you choose the best option.

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

Communicate confidently in common travel situations 

You’ll practice Korean for real-life travel scenarios, such as: 

• greetings, introductions and polite social language 

• checking in/out at hotels and handling common requests 

• ordering in cafés/restaurants (preferences, problems, paying) 

• asking for and understanding directions and transport information 

• shopping and making simple enquiries (prices, sizes, tickets, times) 

• dealing with unexpected situations (lost items, delays, health/pharmacy basics) 

Speak more clearly and naturally 

You’ll also build speaking confidence through: 

• key survival phrases and high-frequency vocabulary 

• strategies to keep going when you don’t know the exact word (rephrasing, clarification, “buying time”) 

• pronunciation support for clearer, more intelligible Korean 

• mini role-plays and speaking tasks to help you respond quickly and naturally 

Build cultural confidence in Korea 

Alongside the language, you’ll build confidence for real interactions through: 

• essential politeness and everyday etiquette 

• typical service interactions (shops, cafés, transport) and common set phrases 

• practical tips for travelling in South Korea 

Course materials: All course materials are shared via SharePoint. You will receive the access link in your welcome email, which is sent 24 hours before the course starts.

Do I need previous knowledge of Korean? 

Some basic Korean is helpful, but the course is designed to support learners who want practical travel language and lots of guided speaking practice. 

When is the course and how long is each class? 

The course runs on two consecutive Saturdays, 10:00–13:00, at IH London. 

Is this course face-to-face or online? 

This is a face-to-face course taught at our school in London. 

What level is the course? 

This course is best for beginners and near-beginners who want practical Korean for travel. If you’re unsure, we can advise you on the best option. 

Will there be lots of speaking practice? 

Yes. The course is highly practical and includes guided speaking tasks, role-plays and realistic travel scenarios to help you build confidence quickly. 

Will we learn Hangeul (the Korean alphabet)? 

We’ll also use Romanisation (Latin script) at the start to support speaking and confidence, then build more familiarity with Hangeul step by step. 

Do I need to memorise lots of vocabulary? 

No — we focus on high-frequency travel language and useful phrases you can use immediately. You’ll get clear practice and optional self-study materials to review between classes. 

What should I bring to class? 

Just a notebook and something to write with. Your teacher will provide materials, and digital resources are shared via SharePoint. 

Where will the class take place? 

Classes take place at IH London – 16 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LQ. You’ll receive full details in your welcome email. 

What if I miss a Saturday? 

Because this is a short course, it’s best to attend both sessions. If you miss a class, we’ll share key materials via SharePoint, but we can’t replicate the in-class speaking practice. 

Can I continue studying after this course? 

Yes! Your teacher can recommend the best next step, such as a general Korean course or a level-based programme at IH London. 

How will I receive the course materials? 

All course materials are shared via SharePoint, with access provided in your welcome email 24 hours before the course starts. 

Is there a coursebook? 

No fixed coursebook is required — your teacher will provide targeted materials and resources for the course. 

•  Access to our online platform to download lesson summaries, notes and resources
• Support and advice from Korean language teachers
• Korean language study tips

•  Access to our online platform to download lesson summaries, notes and resources
• Support and advice from Korean language teachers
• Korean language study tips

•  Access to our online platform to download lesson summaries, notes and resources
• Support and advice from Korean language teachers
• Korean language study tips

Why not try out a sample beginners Korean lesson before signing up to a full course? These one-off sessions are aimed at students who have never studied the Korean language before. 

Our Korean language classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with a qualified, experienced teacher and fellow students. Weekend language classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive as the emphasis is on spoken communication, which is achieved through lots of group work and role-plays. At the same time, there is systematic work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, so that you can improve on all aspects of the language. Your teacher speaks in the target language throughout, so that you can refine your comprehension and listening skills.

Sample Lesson Plan

• Greeting people
• Introducing yourself and someone else
• Asking and giving personal details (name, nationalities, profession, age, phone number, date of birth)