Best books to learn Korean?

Question

Ok, I like to think of myself as a 'high beginner' 'low intermediate' korean speaker.
I have only ever 'self taught' myself... usual ways, watching movies, drama's, news... reading magazines and newspapers, making every effort to speak in Korean...
I know enough to get by, but I feel like I need something else!

The number of 'Learning Korean' books is overwhelming (im in Korea), and just wondering if there is any particular one that someone could suggest.
I have the Sogang university grammar book... and a few Hanja books.

Also thinking about studying in Korea, what schools do you recommend. Im living in Kang Dong Gu, does anyone know if the KonDae course is any good?

Is it relatively easy to apply for a student visa while in Korea? Im wanting to get a student visa, not just come and go every three months (I've been doing that for a year...)

If anyone is able to help me with my ridiculous request, message me your email address and I can keep in contact that way. Cheers

wooooohooooo · Accepted Answer

well to study at the university ull need to pass a test based on speaking,reading and writing essays in korean (the hardest part i know)
hanja aint important unless u take chinese or korean lit as a major. 
for the visa,u can get it as soon as u get accepted at the uni.d2 visa that allows to stay in the country for a year.
d4 is for language students and its only a 3 months one.
what i did, i studied korean in yonsei till level4.applied for seoul dae , had to take 6 credits in high advanced korean for koreans to major.
its hard work but not impossible.
good luck

Porgie · Answer

I think you're already a pretty good speaker. I know this from most of the questions you've answered. I also think Sogang is good, but I do believe personal experience is the best way to learn. 

After studying more than 8 languages, I do believe talking to people is the best way to learn. I was very negative about Korea when I got here, but  studying the language got me more acquainted with the culture. You already know this. 

Speaking Korean to Koreans make them very happy and they wanna help is what I've learned. So keep on speaking to the locals is what I suggest. I know about 2% of the Korean vocabulary, but learn a new word everyday. Because I can read Korean , just like you,  I always ask what something means. If not satisfied I go to the internet for answers.

My friend went to one of these classes you talk about, but left after 2 weeks. Because he could learn more on his own. Mind you he had a Korean girlfriend.

Well, good luck then to you. Hope you get an answer from somebody who can really help you. I sure can't. I figure you already have the skills to do it yourself.

Anonymous · Answer

If you are able to understand Korean characters, you might want to look at "말하기.듣기" or "읽기" or "쓰기" textbooks. I used it when I was very little.
The best univ. in Korea is Seoul National(located at Kwan ak Gu or somewhere called like it), but Yonsei and Korea Univs. are good too.

Sue · Answer

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Best books to learn Korean?

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