The Best Textbook Series for Learning the Korean Language by the Leading Experts in Korea -The
National Institute of the Korean Language and Language Education Institute at Seoul National
University Originally consisted of three volumes Korean through English series was first
published in 1992 and has widely been used as easy yet educational textbook series for foreign
learners of Korean. In 2012 the new edition is published in two volumes keeping the major
learning objectives as the previous version and meeting new trends and learners' needs. Book
One is designed for beginners who start to learn Korean as a foreign or second language for the
first time. The textbook is to help the learners understand the fundamental system of Korean
letters (hangeul) and acquire basic vocabulary and grammatical items. Book Two which is
forthcoming targets intermediate learners who should advance their Korean language skills to
the upper level. The textbook is to help them become more confident of using the Korean
language with accuracy and fluency. The current revision has been made by Sang-Oak Lee who
wrote the original version and Seungmie Lee at the Language Education Institute of Seoul
National University. Systematical Organization to Fit for the Learners' Level and Needs Korean
through English Book One designed for beginners consists of 25 lessons. Lessons 1 through 4
are devoted to introduction and practice of the Korean alphabet hangeul and also include
writing and reading exercises with detailed stroke orders to help students familiarize
themselves with hangeul. Lessons 5 through 25 are made up of Vocabulary Pronunciation
Conversation Grammar and Exercise. Several lessons include Information at the end of the
lesson and it is supplement to help learners understand Korean culture more deeply. In the
beginning of every lesson the new vocabularies of the lessons are accompanied by a short gloss
in English. These glosses provide a general idea of the meaning of the words of following
conversation part. A brief pronunciation guide to Korean words singles out vocabulary items
which are unusual or which have proven particularly difficult for English speakers. In the
Conversation section every effort has been made to provide both realistic and interesting
dialogues. They have chosen to focus more on the everyday-life and modern cultural features
which the students are more likely to encounter. The authors have also included varied notes on
Korean culture and language that are necessary in learning Korean. The Grammar items covered
were also selected according to their high-frequency of occurrence in modern Korean and the
explanations are presented in English. Copious Exercises give students opportunity to practice
and use the new vocabulary and grammar presented in each lesson. Besides the cultural columns
on Korea are supplements to help students understand important aspects of Korean culture that
would be unfamiliar to most foreigners. The Information when possible picks up the theme of
the main text and is designed to enhance the understanding of traditional culture and modern
society of Korea.
