“Korean Language proficiency” which generally known as Topik. If you (foreigner) wants to get into Korean universities for pursuing you bachelor or masters you need to have language proficiency certification . It’s actually in term of proving that you going to understand the class material. So, let’s get into the topic. I am going break it into 3 small sections for better understanding.
First thing first, you need to know the alphabet which generally takes around 30min. Single vowels 10, 14 consonants in total there is 24 alphabet as well as some conjugated versions. You will get it while you starts. Within 30min you will be able to memorize them and get adopted with the writing style as well. Now come the hardest section “받침” double final consonant as it’s in some other languages as well. You need to practice the pronunciation as much as you can and please focus how native speakers pronounce as well. Pronunciation is very important from the very beginning cause it will remain same later on. There’s a lots of free resources online where you can learn the language from the scratch. This is very basic and scratch draft for you to start something new. After learning the alphabets now it’s time to level up with vocabulary. There isn’t tons of styles to get along with vocabularies. For me ( i have ADHA ), the most effective way was choose a topic and learn the words. Each day i was learning 10 to 20 new words. The next day or in my break time i will go through my verbal memory test to check on how many i can remember and how many I can’t. So with this level you are able to take the KOREAN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY LEVEL-01 (1,2 level) which includes vocabulary and listening test.
Secondly, if you already know around 3000 words already now you should start to focus on grammar. For learning the grammar i would recommend KOREAN GRAMMAR in use beginner, intermediate, advance level. These 3 book are the best for starting your grammar learning process. While learning the grammar add an extra attention on the sentence structure as well. Which gonna help you with writing pattern later. One more thing don’t give up if its get complicated. In this stage it’s getting complicated but you will get used to with that if you have dedication to learn the language.
So now we are on final stage, let’s prepare for TOPIK LEVEL_02 (3,4,5,6). In this level, question module is change as you understand as an intermediate learner. This exam held on weekend generally. And all the question material will be related with lifestyle not a particular topic. You have to know and understand around 50% while native speakers speaks. So for the question pattern, you have to answer 50 listening, reading question. And writing test has a unique question pattern. There will be 2(No.51,52) small question(10 points each) where you have to write down the conceptual word and the grammar pattern. 1(No.53) question will explaining sorts of graph which include server, results and reason behinds the graph. 1(No.54) this one is advanced level pattern but if you get to know a lots of conceptual situation related to social lifestyle you will be able to answer.
While you arrange the material please don’t choose multiple books references as a beginner. And now i wants you to understand that i explained how you can get good score in exam. An easy access into this language but in term of being a pro takes a lots of determination, time and hard work. It wont be possible within a year. Let’s get started.
