Product Description
This book has been compiled so that readers can study spoken Korean on their own, acquiring both fluency and accuracy by listening to the accompanying CD. Speaking Korean for Beginners, the most effective book for those just starting out with their study of the Korean language, incorporates useful expressions while providing key insights into Korean culture…. More >>
This book uses many vocabulary words that are not defined in the book or in the glossary. It is a serious and frustrating handicap to study from this book when words with new characters and sounds are used without explanation. It is difficult to look them up because of the complex word conjugations.
Secondly, the CDs have very short tracks. The intro music to each track is often longer than the recorded sentence. Disappointing when one considers that the entire book could have been recorded on a single CD.
There are some good qualities to this book that are worth reviewing. The book does a good job of listing the different conjugations that denote time, location, and intent. However, it covers as many as six per a page making it dense and difficult for a beginner to grasp and practice.
Also, the book does cover common subjects in day to day living -but weighed against the above drawbacks it is difficult for the beginner to obtain full value from these lessons.
There are four Korean languange books by this publisher. I recommend starting with “Writing Korean for Beginners” for understanding grammar and building sentences. It is clearer and introduces words and concepts gradually and completely. After completing the grammar book, then consider returning to the “Speaking Korean for Beginners”. It will make more sense and you will already know most of the vocabulary terms and conjugations.
Rating: 3 / 5