Korean
Take your interest in Korea further.
Music, film, food, history or an interest in Korea itself may have sparked your curiosity.
Studying Korean gives you another way to explore that interest, helping you understand more of what you hear, read and encounter.
You’ll get to know Hangul, the Korean writing system, alongside vocabulary, grammar and spoken Korean.
From recognising your first words to working with more varied material, you can gradually build your knowledge and use more Korean for yourself.
With options for complete beginners and those with previous knowledge, you can choose the course that suits your starting point.
By the end of the courses, you'll be able to achieve CEFR A1 or A2 level, depending on your starting point, providing a strong foundation for further Korean language learning.
Available study option:
- Full-year study – two semesters (September to May), with 3-contact hours per week.
All classes are taught on campus.
Full-year study courses
Course overview
- Credits: 20
- Pre-requisite: None
- Co-requisite: Open to all students except Korean
- Taught during: Both semesters
- Timetable: See timetable information
Course description
This course is for absolute beginners. It is designed for those who wish to attain a basic understanding of the Korean language covering four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. It aims to introduce students to the Korean characters, the basic language structure and the basics of Korean grammar. Students will also acquire limited vocabulary to be able to read simple texts and conduct basic conversation in key areas of everyday communication. The course provides students with a solid foundation for further language learning.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- handle some of the basic grammatical structures of Korean;
- understand and read, some familiar and daily expressions used in common everyday situations and write very simple messages;
- communicate orally at a basic level in a limited number of common everyday situations;
- have some understanding and knowledge of Korean life and culture.
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A1 of the Common European Framework.
Transferable skills
Pair and teamwork, focussed listening, informal presentations, language awareness, cultural appreciation.
Teaching and learning methods
Seminars, three hours per week, delivered through blended learning which integrates on campus and on-line instruction as necessary.
This will also include online digital learning available via the university VLE platform and will be supplemented by extra online resources to aid students in their independent learning.
Assessment
four pieces of assessed work as follows:
Semester 1
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 1 exam period in January
Semester 2
- Speaking exam; 40% Week 12
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 2 exam period in May/June
Nature and timing of feedback
Feedback will include a combination of: informal ongoing oral and written feedback resulting from homework and class based learning activities; formal written feedback will be given following every assessment.
Convenor
Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Taught by
Narae Park
Maximum entry
23 per group
Set texts
TBC
Recommended texts
TBC
Next pathway
- ULKR51020 LEAP Korean 2
Employability
Successful completion of this course unit will enhance your curriculum vitae and employability. It will help prepare you for travelling to and working in Korea.
Course overview
- Credits: 20
- Pre-requisite: ULKR51020 LEAP Korean 1 or equivalent.
- Co-requisite: Open to all students except native Korean speakers.
- Taught during: Both semesters (September to May).
- Level of attainment: (A2) By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A2 of the Common European Framework.
- Timetable: See timetable information
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- demonstrate better understanding and knowledge of key Korean grammar points with appropriate usage;
- demonstrate reasonable competency in comprehension and listening through accurately extracting key information from written and audio sources on specific familiar topics and frequently-used Korean words and phrases in speech and in written form;
- communicate orally in simple, routine situations and handle short social exchanges about familiar topics.
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A2 of the Common European Framework.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- demonstrate better understanding and knowledge of key Korean grammar points with appropriate usage;
- demonstrate reasonable competency in comprehension and listening through accurately extracting key information from written and audio sources on specific familiar topics and frequently-used Korean words and phrases in speech and in written form
- communicate orally in simple, routine situations and handle short social exchanges about familiar topics.
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A2 of the Common European Framework.
Transferable skills
At the end of the course students will have developed their: active listening skills; skimming and scanning skills; presentation skills; ability to extract and process information textual information; intercultural competence.
Teaching and learning methods
One three-hours or two 90 minutes seminars per week, delivered through blended learning which integrates on campus and on-line instruction as necessary.
This will also include online digital learning available via the university VLE platform and will be supplemented by extra online resources to aid students in their independent learning.
Assessment
All assessments are summative.
Non-credit students and members of the public need to be aware that written exams will not take place during lesson time.
Semester 1
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 1 exam period in January
Semester 2
- Speaking exam; 40% weighting; held in week 12
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 2 exam period in May/June
Dates to be confirmed.
Nature and timing of feedback
Feedback will include a combination of informal ongoing oral and written feedback resulting from homework and class based learning activities; formal written feedback will be given following every assessment.
Convenor
Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Taught by
Narae Park
Maximum entry
23 per group
Set texts
TBC
Recommended texts
Basic Korean, A Grammar and Workbook (IBSN:978-0-415-77487-1).
Next pathway
None.
Employability
Successful completion of this course unit will enhance your curriculum vitae and employability. It will help prepare you for travelling to and working in Korea.
Timetables – 2026/27
Please note the timetable is subject to change up to and including the start of courses. Please check these pages regularly and check your personal timetable ahead of classes.
Find your classrooms and make your way around campus quickly with our interactive map.
Courses are taught in 2 or 3 hour sessions – view the timetables below:
Course code: ULKR51010/ULKR71010/ULKR50010/ULKR90010
- Group 1: Tuesday, 2–5pm – Sam Alex_A214
- Group 2: Tuesday, 5.30–8.30pm – Sam Alex_A213A
Course code: ULKR51020/ULKR71020/ULKR50020/ULKR90020
- Monday, 5–8pm – Sam Alex_A104
Hear from our students
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us by phone or email leap@manchester.ac.uk.