Beginning Modern Korean : An Interactive Approach

Beginning Modern Korean: An Interactive Approach introduces students to contemporary standard Korean and fosters communicative competence in the language according to contexts, functions, and participants’ roles. The text achieves a unique balance between teaching and learning by actively incorporating the four key skills of language acquisition—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—throughout. The majority of the narratives in the main texts, grammar examples, and exercises are given or conducted in interactive ways so learners can experience the real feeling of language use and the atmosphere of authentic contexts. 

The text begins with a comprehensive introduction to Hangul, Korean orthography, providing students with the knowledge and skillsets they need to read and write effectively. Over the course of 16 lessons, students learn new vocabulary, practice grammar exercises, listen to audio files and instructor readings, and sharpen conversational skills. Reading, writing, spelling, and pronunciation exercises support students’ language acquisition, and cultural notes help them develop an awareness and knowledge of Korean culture. 

Emphasizing a fully active approach to language learning and acquisition, Beginning Modern Korean is well suited for foundational courses in Korean.

Namkil Kim holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Washington. He previously served as the director of the Korean Studies Institute and is currently a professor of East Asian languages and cultures at the University of Southern California. Dr. Kim's research on Korean language teaching focuses on the problems of Korean language education in the Los Angeles area, the internationalization of Korean language education, and Korean culture. He has presented on the topics of the Korean language and language learning and teaching in the United States and internationally.