Course Overview
Basic Korean 110-01 (catalog number 42701) is a foundationlevel language class designed for beginners with little or no prior exposure to Korean. The course introduces the Hangul alphabet, fundamental grammar patterns, essential vocabulary, and basic conversational skills necessary for everyday interactions. By the end of the semester, students should feel comfortable introducing themselves, asking simple questions, and understanding short spoken or written passages.
The course meets twice a week for 75 minutes each session, combining instructorled explanations, pair work, listening drills, and brief cultural notes. Attendance and active participation are key to mastering pronunciation and retaining new structures.
Learning Objectives
- Read and write all 14 basic Hangul consonants and 10 basic vowels, and combine them into syllable blocks.
- Pronounce Korean sounds accurately, paying attention to vowel length and final consonant () rules.
- Use basic sentence patterns such as Subject + Verb, Subject + Object + Verb, and polite ending -.
- Introduce oneself, talk about nationality, occupation, and simple daily activities.
- Ask and answer common questions about time, location, price, and preferences.
- Understand simple spoken dialogues and read short paragraphs (about 5080 words) with the help of a dictionary.
- Develop cultural awareness regarding Korean etiquette, honorifics, and basic etiquette in everyday situations.
Curriculum Overview
Weeks 12: Hangul Foundations
Learning the alphabet, stroke order, and practicing reading/writing basic syllables.
Weeks 34: Basic Pronouns & Simple Verbs
Personal pronouns (, , ), verbs like (to be), (to go), (to do).
Weeks 57: Everyday Vocabulary
Numbers 1100, days of the week, common nouns (, , ), and polite particle - for location.
Weeks 810: Sentence Structures
Subjectobjectverb order, topic particle -/, object particle -/, and final ending -.
Weeks 1113: Asking Questions
Question words (, , , , ) and intonation patterns.
Weeks 1415: Review & Final Presentation
Students prepare a short selfintroduction video and a written paragraph for the final assessment.
Sample Lesson Plan (Week 3)
| Time | Activity | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 010 min | Warmup: quick pronunciation drill of , , , | Activate prior knowledge of Hangul sounds |
| 1030 min | Introduce pronouns , , with visual cards | Identify subjects in simple sentences |
| 3045 min | Grammar focus: + polite ending -/ | Form X is Y statements |
| 4560 min | Pair activity: roleplay introducing yourself | Practice spoken production |
| 6075 min | Listening check: short audio of two people meeting | Comprehension and notetaking |
Assessment Methods
The course uses a combination of formative and summative assessments:
- Weekly quizzes (10%) short multiplechoice or fillintheblank items covering Hangul, vocabulary, and grammar.
- Participation (15%) attendance, inclass practice, and peer feedback.
- Midterm oral test (25%) 5minute conversation with the instructor, focusing on greetings, personal information, and simple questions.
- Written assignment (20%) a 150word paragraph describing a typical day.
- Final presentation (30%) recorded selfintroduction (23 minutes) plus a short Q&A with classmates.
All assessments are designed to evaluate both receptive (listening/reading) and productive (speaking/writing) skills.
Recommended Resources
- Talk To Me In Korean Level 1 (free audio lessons and PDF worksheets).
- Korean from Zero! 1 by George Trombley textbook aligned with Basic Korean 11001.
- Mobile apps: Duolingo (Korean) and Memrise for spacedrepetition vocab.
- Online dictionary: Naver Dictionary.
- Pronunciation guide: KoreanClass101 video series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior knowledge of Hangul?
No. The course starts from the very first letter and builds a solid foundation.
How many hours of selfstudy are expected each week?
Approximately 46 hours: 23 for reviewing class material, 12 for vocabulary practice, and an additional hour for listening or speaking drills.
Can I take the class if I am not a language major?
Yes. The course is open to any undergraduate or graduate student interested in basic Korean for personal or professional reasons.
What is the grading scale?
The standard 4.0 scale is used: A (90100), B (8089), C (7079), D (6069), F (below 60).
