When it comes to learning Korean, finding language apps can make a huge difference in your language journey. Whether you're studying Korean for travel, work, or personal interest, using the right online tools in between lessons can dramatically help you to fast track your progress.
While apps are not a substitute for immersive language experiences or personal tutoring, they do serve as excellent supplements to your overall learning strategy. If you're looking to know what apps are best for learning Korean, you’re in the right place. In this guide, you’ll find the best language learning apps for Korean as well as many other tips to help your path towards fluency.
So, what apps are best for learning Korean?
Dongsa: A Must-Have Verb Conjugator
In any language, including Korean, understanding verb conjugations is crucial – this is where Dongsa is one of the best apps for Korean learning. Designed specifically for conjugating Korean verbs, which is notoriously complex for beginners, this app allows you to explore various verb forms and see examples in different tenses.
It's a simple yet powerful tool that will improve your comprehension of Korean sentence structure. Best of all, Dongsa is free to download, though you can opt to remove ads by upgrading to the premium version.
Drops: Focus on Your Vocabulary
It’s worth remembering that when it comes to the best apps for learning Korean, the advice of a personal tutor to point you in the right direction is highly recommended.
Another great app for learning Korean is Drops, an app which focuses on helping you to build a strong vocabulary foundation.
This app uses visually engaging flashcards and a quick-paced style that makes learning fun and effective. Drops includes over 2 000 Korean words and phrases that you can learn through immersive, picture-based lessons and since it’s available for free, you can start building your Korean vocabulary immediately. While the free version has limitations, upgrading to the paid version removes ads and gives you access to even more learning content.
Duolingo: A Popular Practice Companion
In your discussions about the best apps for Korean learning, you are bound to come across Duolingo.
This app makes language learning accessible by using gamification to keep you engaged. With its bite-sized lessons, Duolingo is an ideal choice if you're looking for consistent practice in between your formal lessons without feeling overwhelmed.
While it’s not designed to be the sole tool for learning Korean, it’s a great app for getting into the routine of practising your chosen language for study. Also, it’s free, which makes it a convenient and budget-friendly companion for your language journey.
LingoDeer: Noted for Grammar Lessons
When it comes to the best apps for Korean learning, LingoDeer stands out if you are serious about grammar and not just vocabulary building!
This app offers comprehensive lessons that cover topics such as sentence structure, verb conjugation, and grammar rules.
LingoDeer is designed to offer a structured approach to learning Korean, with lessons arranged in a logical progression to help you master key concepts. The app’s gamified system makes learning feel more like a game than a chore, and its design is specifically tailored for Asian languages like Korean. Although the free version has limitations, you can pay for lifetime access, which provides an expanded range of lessons and features.
Memrise: Learn Korean with Spaced Repetition
Memrise is one of the best language learning apps for Korean and offers a solid choice for anyone who wants to build their Korean vocabulary and improve their listening comprehension. This app uses the method of spaced repetition which helps you to review words and phrases at strategically timed intervals.
Memrise uses native speaker videos and real-world contexts to immerse you in authentic language use while allowing you to hear how Koreans speak in everyday situations. The free version offers a lot of useful content and is a worthy supplementary resource to formal Korean lessons.
Mango Languages: One of the Best Apps for Korean Learning
For a well-rounded language-learning experience, Mango Languages is among the best apps for advanced Korean learning. Offering an array of lessons on Korean vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking, Mango Languages takes an integrated approach to practising the language using an online tool. The app allows you to practise real conversations and while it’s not free, the subscription gives you access to a wide variety of Korean learning materials, including stories, audio lessons, and grammar exercises.
LingQ: Learn Korean Naturally
If you are advanced in Korean and prefer learning through exposure to real-world content, LingQ is one of the best apps for learning Korean. This app is different from some of the others because it uses real-world material like podcasts, news articles, and videos. LingQ allows you to read or listen to content in Korean and provides tools to help you learn vocabulary and grammar in context. Though challenging, by learning Korean through real-life media, you can develop a more natural understanding of the language.
Pimsleur: Audio-Based Learning for Korean
Although not free, if you're looking for a more auditory approach to learning Korean, Pimsleur might be one of the best apps for learning Korean for you. Unlike other apps, Pimsleur focuses on teaching language through audio lessons that emphasise speaking and listening.
Talk to Me in Korean: Interactive Learning
If you want an online tool that helps you to practise your Korean with native speakers and learn at your own pace, Talk to Me in Korean is a fantastic option. This app provides vocabulary, quizzes, and flashcards to help you learn Korean in an engaging way.
Why a Personalised Language Tutor Trumps Apps for Learning Korean
While apps like Duolingo, Memrise, and Talk to Me in Korean offer convenience and accessibility for learning Korean, they cannot replicate the depth and personalisation that comes with a private tutor. There is no doubt that apps are great supplementary tools, but the fastest way to truly master Korean is with tailored instruction from a tutor, like those available on Superprof.
That's because a private tutor will adapt lessons to suit your individual goals, strengths, and challenges. For instance, if you're planning to teach English to Korean second-language learners, your tutor will likely focus on developing the specific vocabulary and cultural nuances you'll need to connect with your students. Similarly, if you aim to teach Pilates classes in South Korea, your tutor can design lessons around fitness-specific language, which will help you to confidently instruct clients in Korean.
Remember that while useful for practising in between your formal lessons, apps will understandably limit you to pre-set curricula and generic phrases that might not align with your personal ambitions. By contrast, a personal tutor will customise every session to your specific aspirations. In addition, a tutor will instantly pinpoint your weaknesses like pronunciation or grammar and provide targeted practice that apps simply can't match.
What Apps Are Best for Learning Korean?
Having said this, most tutors will agree that the right apps can provide invaluable guidance. Instead of downloading every app you can – have a conversation with your tutor about what apps are best for learning for you.
A tutor will ensure that you focus on tools that reinforce and complement your in-person lessons to truly accelerate your progress.
By combining the personalised structure of a private tutor with the supplementary benefits of apps, you will build a powerful learning framework that fast tracks your ability to read, write, and speak Korean fluently.
Superprof tutors bridge the gap between app-based learning and real-world proficiency perfectly. Check out the diverse range of tutoring options on Superprof which includes online, one-on-one, group and in-person lessons that cater for every budget and you’ll soon see how easy it is to have personalised instruction to supplement the best language learning apps for Korean.
Give it a try, especially considering that most Superprof tutors are willing to offer their first lesson for free.
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