What Is HowtoStudyKorean.com?

Updated

HowtoStudyKorean.com is a free, self-study Korean learning website that takes learners from reading Hangul through expert-level grammar. It is built around sequential Units and Lessons, with audio, vocabulary, quizzes, and workbooks supporting each step. It suits learners who want a structured, grammar-heavy path they can work through independently, and who are comfortable reading detailed English explanations rather than relying on a classroom or tutor.

What the site covers

The core curriculum is organized into Units, each containing 25 Lessons, 3 Quizzes, and a Unit Test. The site currently lists these Units:

Unit Focus
Unit 0 Learning How to Read
Unit 1 Basic Korean Grammar
Unit 2 Lower-Intermediate Korean Grammar
Unit 3 Intermediate Korean Grammar
Unit 4 Upper-Intermediate Korean Grammar
Unit 5 Lower-Advanced Korean Grammar
Unit 6 Advanced Korean Grammar
Unit 7 Upper-Advanced Korean Grammar
Unit 8 Near-Expert Korean Grammar
Unit 9 Expert Korean Grammar

That range means the same site can serve a complete beginner and someone pushing toward near-expert grammar, as long as they follow the sequence rather than jumping around.

What each lesson includes

As a base, every lesson provides:

  • Twenty to thirty vocabulary words
  • Grammar tailored to that level, using the vocabulary from the lesson
  • Audio recordings of every Korean word and sentence

The grammar explanations are described as detailed, accurate, and clear at every step, which is the main reason learners use the site for self-study.

Supplementary materials

Beyond the lessons, the site offers additional material to reinforce what you learn:

  • Workbooks for each lesson, with exercises to apply the material
  • Mobile App with quiz formats for vocabulary and sentences
  • Audio files for every word and sentence
  • Hanja Lessons explaining root meanings of words
  • Short Stories to build reading skill
  • Simple vocabulary lists for organizing study your own way
  • Anki Packages for digital flashcards
  • Vocabulary Lists showing how each word is used
  • Conjugate buttons that display conjugations for every verb and adjective (completed through Lesson 75)
  • Word Searches for recognizing Korean words
  • Paperback and Kindle versions of the lessons
  • Theme Lessons on specific subjects

How to use it

Work through Unit 0 first if you cannot yet read Hangul, then proceed Unit by Unit. Within each Unit, complete the 25 Lessons in order, use the 3 Quizzes and Unit Test to check retention, and pull in the workbooks, Anki packages, or mobile app when you want extra practice. The Conjugate buttons are useful once you reach verbs and adjectives and want to see how a form changes.

Who it fits

This resource fits independent learners who want a free, grammar-first curriculum with audio and built-in checks. It is less suited to learners who want live conversation practice or a purely immersion-based approach, since the explanations are in English and the structure is lesson-driven. The site also maintains a presence on YouTube, Patreon, Facebook, and Twitter, and has an About Us page if you want more background on who runs it.