10.14.2009

Korean Made Easy-Starters

Korean Made Easy-Starter targets those who have no reading knowledge of the Korean alphabet (Hangeul). Through various practice exercises, activities, and games, this book provides an enjoyable way to learn how to listen to, pronounce, read, and write Hangeul.


The ultimate goal of Korean Made Easy-Starter is to equip learners with the necessary expressions needed in everyday situations. Although it is the third book published in the Korean Made Easy series, this book lays the foundation for Korean Made Easy for Beginners, so I hope it will be received as a welcome must for absolute beginners of Korean.


This book consists of an introduction, ten chapters of lessons, and twenty-four useful expressions. The introduction aims to explain how Korean differs from English and to foster an understanding of the distinguishing characteristics of the Korean language before learners begin their study of Hangeul. Each lesson chapter is divided into five steps (Let’s Warm up!, Let’s Study!, Reading Activity!, Writing Activity!, and Quiz Yourself!) that contain plenty of practice exercises and audio components so learners can study Korean easily by simply following this systematic structure. In addition, twenty-four useful expressions that are necessary to know in everyday life are provided on cards with situation pictures and were designed for learners to carry and use in appropriate situations.


"Students and teachers alike will benefit through the use of this exceptional textbook. Korean Made Easy-Starter offers outstanding insight about the origins of the Korean script to not only beginning learners, but even those with previous knowledge of the language. The logic and simplicity of Hangeul are illustrated through Professor Oh’s innovative five-step method. This book will greatly assist foreigners establish a strong basis for learning the Korean language."
-Major James M. Ross, Northeast Asia Foreign Area Officer, USA