Ahh….Korea! In Singapore, we seem fascinated by many aspects of Korean culture. From the entertainment of K-Pop and numerous drama series to the delectable food and snacks, Korean culture is deeply ingrained in our country. If you, like many other Singaporeans, have a love for the culture and all things Korean, you might want to learn the language.
In Singapore, most of us are already bilingual, and adding another language to your repertoire will dramatically improve your linguistic skills and set you apart from the rest of the pack. In addition, it can give you unique cultural insights that you wouldn’t get without the language. However, the Korean language isn’t an easy one, and learning it from scratch might intimidating. That’s where a private Korean tutor can help get you started!
Our Private Korean Language Tutors
At Private Tutor SG, all our language tutors are native speakers or speak with a fluency of someone that has spent a significant amount of time immersed in a specific culture. Tutors have a love for teaching languages and seek to impart their unique cultural insights to all their students for a more well-rounded, holistic education.
Not only do they have impressive academic qualifications but we also select our tutors based on other traits such as patience, kindness, knowledge of the Korean culture, and adaptability. Starting with a thorough assessment on your level of the Korean language, they will tailor a personalised lesson plan that takes into consideration your specific needs, learning styles, and preferences.
Why Get A Private Korean Tutor?
Common Challenges When Learning Korean
Made up of 14 consonants and 10 vowels, Hangul is the official writing system that is unlike any other language, including Chinese Mandarin. It can be challenging for beginners to learn a completely new language, unlike learning other languages that use the same Latin alphabet that English uses.
Additionally, some characters may resemble one another, which can cause confusion. Moreover, getting used to how letters combine to form syllables takes practice. Mastering Hangul is crucial for reading and pronunciation, and while it can be learned quickly, becoming comfortable with reading and writing fluidly takes time and practice.
Korea is a country rich in history and traditions, and some things are a big no-no. With a complex system of honorifics, you use different words for age, relationship to you, and social status. This can be challenging and making mistakes can be considered rude or inappropriate, making beginners feel anxious to offend. Mastering these slight nuances takes time and practice, not just in vocabulary but also in social contexts and situations.
Korean pronunciation might prove difficult to some, especially if they do not speak Chinese. Chinese speakers might have an easier time learning Korean because of the way certain words are pronounced, but the Korean language contains many sounds that don’t exist in other languages. These differences are difficult to hear and imitate, and the rhythm and intonation vary significantly from English. Regular practice and guidance are needed to get the pronunciation right, and adjusting to it can lead to minor mistakes at the start that could form into bad habits.
As with learning any language, one of the barriers to progress is that students often are shy or self-conscious about speaking a new language, especially one that they are just starting to learn. Making mistakes is normal when learning a new language, but when speaking with a stranger or a classmate, many students feel self-conscious and lack the confidence to try and fail. Dedicated practice sessions or language exchange might help, where a student only practices with one or two trusted companions or mentors.