Preface
Unit Structure Lesson Details

01 Korean (1) Basic Letters
02 Hangul (2) Tense and Aspirated Consonants
03 Korean (3) Compound Vowels
04 Korean (4) Consonants at the Bottom
05 Hello? Hello?
06 I am a student.
I am a student.
07 How much is it? How much is it?
08 I like bibimbap.
I like (eating) bibimbap.

09 Please give me a map of Seoul.
Please give me a map of Seoul.
10 What did you do yesterday?
11 The weather is hot.
The weather is hot.
12 Today is Tuesday.
Today is Tuesday.
Let's meet at 1:00.
Let's meet at 1 o'clock.
14 I will give the bag to my mother.
I am going to give the bag to my mother.
15 I'll come back later.
I will come back later.
16 I have a cold.
I caught a cold.
17 I'm learning Korean.
I am learning Korean.
18 How do I go to the museum?
19 My parents live in Busan.
My parents live in Busan.
20 I don't know the phone number.
I don't know the telephone number.
21 I couldn't do my homework because it was difficult.
I couldn't do the homework because it was too difficult.
22 I like spicy food.
I like spicy food.
23 Shall I get you a cold coffee?
24 Could you lend me your suitcase?
Please lend me your travel bag.
25 It takes about an hour to walk.
It will take about an hour if you walk.

Appendices
Introduction to Korean for English-speaking Learners
The Korean Language_An Informal Introduction for English speakers
Answer Key
Vocabulary Index
Grammar Index

The easiest Korean language textbook created by the National Institute of the Korean Language and Seoul National University Language Education Institute

The Korean through English series, which has been widely loved as a Korean language textbook for foreigners since its first publication in 1992 as a three-stage series, has been published in a completely revised and expanded edition.
While maintaining the characteristics of the first edition as a concise and easy-to-understand textbook for Korean language learners, major changes have been made to the content and design to suit the new era and learner needs.
This revision has resulted in a total of two stages. Volume 1 is designed for learners learning Korean for the first time, focusing on helping them understand the basic principles of Hangul and acquire basic vocabulary and grammar.
Volume 2 (scheduled for publication) is designed to enhance your Korean application skills and confidence in using Korean through more in-depth vocabulary and grammar study than in Volume 1.
The revision work was led by Professor Emeritus Lee Sang-eok of the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Seoul National University, who spearheaded the writing of the first edition, and by current faculty members at the Language Education Institute at Seoul National University.


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 been widely 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.


Systematic structure that takes into account the learner's level and needs

Korean through English Volume 1, aimed at beginners learning Korean, consists of 25 lessons. Lessons 1-4 help students understand the basic structure and principles of the Korean language, while lessons 5-25 help students learn basic vocabulary, grammar, and expressions through conversation.

Starting from Lesson 5, the units are organized in the order of Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Conversation, Grammar, and Exercise. Some units include Information (introduction to Korean culture) at the end of the unit to help understand Korean culture.
The "Vocabulary" section introduces vocabulary words that appear in the main dialogue. You can learn the pronunciation of these words by listening to the CD.
In the grammar section, definitions of newly appearing words are added so that learners can study without a dictionary.

The following section, “Pronunciation,” explains pronunciation techniques centered on useful words for learning the basic principles of Korean pronunciation.
You can also practice this part by following the pronunciation on the CD.
〈Conversation〉 presents conversational situations that can be encountered in everyday life, but it is composed mainly of expressions that are essential to know or can be used very usefully, taking into account the learner's level.
Additionally, we ensured that Korea's cultural and social characteristics were naturally reflected in the conversation.

In the following section, “Grammar,” explanations are provided in English for each item, allowing even independent learners to study without much difficulty. In addition, examples are provided to help beginners understand the necessary grammar items naturally.

In addition, in 〈Exercise〉, learners can sufficiently practice the vocabulary, grammar, and expressions learned in the subject by solving various problems themselves, thereby improving their application skills.

The section titled “Information” at the end of some units contains information on Korean culture related to the subject of the text, designed to broaden the understanding of Korean traditional culture and modern Korean society for foreign and Korean-American learners.


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 vocals of the lessons are accompanied by a short gloss in English.
These glosses provide a general idea of ​​the meaning of the words of the 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.