When most people think of learning a second language, their choices often include Spanish, French, or German. If they have an interest in Asian culture, most people will opt for Japanese or Chinese language studies.
However, there’s one Asian language that’s currently gaining popularity– the Korean language. In this article, we’re sharing some reasons why more people are now spending time and effort learning Korean and its benefits.
Learn The Most Logical Language Writing System In The World
Hangul is the writing system of the Korean language. It was introduced by King Sejong in the 15th century to help improve the literacy rate among Koreans who couldn’t afford to learn the Chinese language.
Hangul is a cross between the syllabary and the alphabet. A cluster of letters representing a single word syllable is placed together in a block. So, while Hangul may look like a series of complicated symbols, it’s just a collection of syllable blocks made up of easily recognizable vowels and consonants. It makes the Korean writing system phonetic and one of the most logical language systems in the world.
Whether you want to learn on your own or enroll in a reliable class like this Basic Korean Training from Hana Korean, you can master the alphabet in as little as one day. It will also teach you the basics of Korean so you can read most words and then sound out phrases, words, and sentences immediately.
It Improves Your Travel Experience
South Korea is a country with a lively culture, a rich history, beautiful scenery, and wonderful customs and traditions that you can explore. Known as one of the most welcoming and friendliest nations in the world, South Korea and its rich culture are something you want to experience in this lifetime.
If you plan to travel to South Korea, learning the language can significantly improve your travel experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting for only a week or staying for several months, you can easily find your way around and adapt to their society and culture when you know how to speak Korean.
You can easily communicate with locals and business owners, and you’ll feel much more comfortable and create meaningful connections at every stop.
It Boosts Your IQ
Being bilingual offers you numerous benefits. However, one of its most significant benefits is intellectual growth.
Learning a new language, particularly one with a different writing system, can help stimulate your mind. It increases brain activity and thus improves your brain health. In addition, it helps in sharpening your cognitive skills, boosts your memory and focus, strengthens multitasking skills, and assists you in solving problems faster and more logically, improving your math skills.
It Makes Learning Japanese And Chinese Easier
Linguistically speaking, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean belong to different language families. However, there are some connections among these three Asian languages due to their social, geographical, historical, and linguistic proximity and relation over millennia.
Thus, it’s easier for Korean speakers to learn Chinese or Japanese than those from distant regions. Once you achieve good fluency in Korean, you can have the edge in learning Japanese since both share plenty of honorifics, vocabulary, grammar, and markers. Meanwhile, Korean sounds more like Chinese but with significant differences in tonal markers. It may not be much, but it’s good enough compared to having nothing in common.
Gain An Edge When Applying To Korean Companies
Thanks to its global presence, Korea is home to large multinational businesses, including Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia, Lotte, and many more. So, if you’re hoping to live and work in Korea or apply for a Korean company abroad, learning the language can be a significant asset.
If and when a Korean company wants to expand its operations or is looking for potential candidates to work at their base, your knowledge of the Korean language can put you at the forefront of a competitive and challenging market.
Be A Part Of The Increasingly Popular Culture Around The Globe
With the popularity of K-entertainment, we can expect to see more Korean cultures joining the international entertainment industry. The Korean Wave or Hallyu has set a prolific export of Korean movies, dramas, music, fashions, and even cosmetics to the rest of the world.
In fact, due to the success of Korean entertainment abroad, you can find most Korean celebrities as BTS tapped as endorsers, gracing TV screens and billboards and promoting international brands. By learning the Korean language, you can properly experience the dramas, movies, and songs offered and feel like a part of this rich culture.
Takeaway
And there you have it! As you can see, there are several benefits to learning Korean. Whether it’s for your love of K-culture or thinking of moving to Korea, Korean is one of the best languages you can master. It may not be easy, but you can rest assured that learning this language will be worthwhile as it is a unique accomplishment that can potentially open many doors to exciting opportunities.