The King Of Mobile 한국어 Language Training: Sejong Korean Vocabulary App Review
So you’ve decided you want to learn Korean— that’s awesome! —or maybe you’re already learning Korean, but you need some extra help studying. With all the language training apps out there, how are you supposed to choose one to suit your needs?
As someone who taught themselves Korean for over a year before stepping foot in a class, I’ve tried a lot of different programs. They all have their strengths, but I personally find this app to strike the best balance between writing, reading, listening, and speaking training while presenting the information in a fun and accessible way.
Enter: The King Sejong Institute’s Korean Vocabulary App.
It’s so easy to use: the menus are straightforward and laid out clearly, plus a clean, crisp design makes navigating between sections a breeze. I would say anyone with English reading skills could make good use of this app to learn or brush up on Korean, so it’s good for all ages!
The touchscreen writing function offers a basic introduction to Hangul; while it may not indicate the stroke order for each character, some mobile language apps don’t even allow you to train your writing skills.
Possibly the most useful tool— something I loved right away —is the voice recorder. Record new words at the touch of a button and play it back to hear your own pronunciation, plus compare with a native Korean speaker. That’s both listening and speaking practice at once!
And if you want to remember specific or frequently-used words? Just click the star beside them during lessons and find them again in the “My Vocabulary” section. This is probably my favorite feature and also happens to be something other language training apps sorely lack.
Measure your progress with a quiz at the end of every unit: much like lessons, the quizzes are short and quick, perfect for those with a busy schedule and less dedicated studying time.
Honestly, the app makes studying fun. Drilling vocabulary can seem like such a dull thing, but with mechanics like collectible cards for each new word you learn, or points earned for each lesson completed and used to “buy” cute in-app icons, it keeps things feeling more like a game than dry studying.
On the technical side, sound and background music are easily adjusted in the settings menu, as are learning reminders (push notifications are set to “off” by default) and profile customization.
Finally, the bulletin board tab is great for new learners who want to ask questions, or current students who want a chance to practice and connect within the community. I think interacting with others is really the key to gaining fluency in a new language.
While no app can really replace the classroom experience, the Sejong Korean Vocabulary App is a great learning supplement. I’d say its greatest strength is how easy it is to pick up and put down without losing any progress in your lesson, making it ideal for on-the-go mobile education.
Overall, in my opinion, this Korean app wears the crown!
*App used on Android OS, Ver 2.0