If this is your first Korean lesson, start by choosing a class you can attend regularly and one thing you want to say or read. At Korean Explorer, complete beginners can ask about the S$45 two-hour Beginner 1 trial. If you have studied before, take the placement test and tell the school what you have already covered.
Table of Contents
- What to check before choosing a class
- Prepare for your first Korean lesson
- Questions that help you choose a class
- Notice what you can do in Korean
- Prepare for the next lesson
- Try a beginner Korean class in Singapore
- Frequently asked questions
Key Takeaways
- Choose Beginner 1 if you are starting from scratch. Ask about placement if you have studied Korean before.
- Compare the actual batch timetable, format and total fee. The published beginner group level has 16 teaching hours.
- Bring one example of where you want to use Korean, such as greeting someone at work or asking about a menu while travelling.
What to check before choosing a class
Korean Explorer lists Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 group packages at S$350 each for eight two-hour sessions. Open the beginner course and group timetable to check your batch code, start and end dates, class frequency and campus. Confirm the format, seat and full fee with the school before paying, especially if you want to join online.
Look for teaching that gives you a chance to read Hangul, hear a short exchange, try a reply and ask a question. If comparing several classes, ask what materials are included and how much time you will spend speaking during a lesson.
Prepare for your first Korean lesson
- Choose one situation. Write down where you want to use Korean and what you would like to be able to say there.
- Try a Hangul block. Put ㄱ and ㅏ together to make 가. Ask the teacher how the two letters sit inside one syllable block and how the block sounds.
- Try a polite exchange. Greet someone with 안녕하세요 (hello), then say 감사합니다 (thank you) after they help you. Ask for a pronunciation example and repeat it.
- Write down one question. For example, “How can I tell when the vowel sound is different?” Bring it to the lesson so you can ask for a comparison.
These examples are optional practice. If the script is unfamiliar, bring the question you want to ask and start there.
Questions that help you choose a class
- Group class: Ask how learners practise with partners and get feedback.
- Private class: Bring an example of the kind of Korean you need and ask how the teacher would use it.
- Live online: Check the class time and how speaking practice works. Ask about materials and any recording access for that specific batch.
Compare the course formats and ask what happens if you cannot attend a scheduled class.
Notice what you can do in Korean
After a lesson, choose one small task to try again. Read a syllable block from your notes, recognise a greeting when you hear it, or try one part of an introduction aloud. Note where you need another example and take that question to your next class.
School placement helps you choose a class. TOPIK is a separate official proficiency exam. TOPIK I awards grades 1 and 2 based on test scores. These practice tasks and the school’s course levels do not determine an exam grade.
Prepare for the next lesson
Keep a short note after each class: one expression you can use, one sound you want to hear again and one question for the teacher. For example, write down the greeting you practised and ask how the exchange changes when meeting someone for the first time. Pick a review time that fits around your next class.
Try a beginner Korean class in Singapore
Ask about the S$45 Beginner 1 trial at the City campus or live online. It is one two-hour class. Confirm the date, format and seat before paying. If you have already taken a Korean class, use the placement test to discuss where to start.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to complete a beginner Korean course in Singapore?
Korean Explorer lists eight two-hour sessions per beginner group level. The calendar duration depends on the batch dates and how often it meets. Completing a level records lesson time; how much you can use in conversation depends on your practice and starting point.
What will I learn as a beginner Korean student?
The school’s beginner course lists Hangul, pronunciation, basic grammar and everyday conversation. Ask which topics the chosen level covers.
Are native Korean teachers necessary for beginners?
Ask how the teacher explains new sounds, checks your understanding and helps you practise. A trial gives you a chance to see how that teacher works with beginners.
Should I choose group classes or private lessons to start?
Choose a group if you can attend the batch timetable and want to practise with classmates. Consider private lessons if your availability or learning goals need an individual plan. Check the actual schedule and fee for each.
What is TOPIK and should beginners care about it?
TOPIK is an official Korean proficiency exam. If you need a result for study or work, check the exact requirement with the organisation asking for it. For everyday Korean, you can start by choosing an appropriate school class.
