Episode Description:
In this episode, we dive into three essential areas to help you express yourself naturally in Korean: describing your feelings, talking about preferences, and sharing opinions. These phrases and tips will make your Korean sound more conversational and confident. Plus, I’m sharing an exciting sneak peek of a special Black Friday offer designed to take your speaking skills to the next level. Don’t miss it! 🎧

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Resources Mentioned:

Key Takeaway:
Expressing yourself naturally in Korean takes practice, but with these phrases and consistent effort, you’ll sound more confident and fluent in no time.

Don’t Miss Out!
Look out for your email about the Black Friday Speaking Challenge, where you’ll get the chance to practice even more and take your Korean speaking skills to the next level.

In this full-Korean episode, we’re focusing on two essential forms, -어요 and -는 거예요, that can make your Korean sound more natural and conversational. These expressions are key to adding depth and personality to your everyday conversations, whether you’re describing your day or emphasizing a strong feeling. I’ll guide you through practical examples and answer common questions about when and how to use these forms.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Resources Mentioned:

Contact: For questions or to request the English script, email us at [email protected].

In this episode, we dive into a key ingredient for sounding natural in Korean: fillers! Learn how to use essential fillers like 음 (um…), 그러니까 (so…), and 글쎄요 (well…) to make your Korean conversations feel smooth and effortless. These small words have a big impact, helping you bridge pauses, connect thoughts, and bring a relaxed, native tone to your speaking. Plus, get a sneak peek into next week’s full Korean episode and an exciting mini speaking challenge coming for Black Friday!

In this episode, we explore how the present tense in Korean transitions from formal, textbook-style language to natural, conversational expressions. I’ll guide you through three versions of a passage to highlight the differences between formal, beginner conversational, and intermediate conversational Korean. By understanding these styles, you’ll be able to adapt your Korean for different situations and sound more fluent.

Plus, don’t miss my cultural note about Pepero Day, coming up on November 11th! If you’re in Korea, you’ll see Pepero everywhere this weekend—join the fun and learn more about this sweet tradition.

Key Notes:

1. Present Tense Styles:

Formal (Textbook): -ㅂ니다 / -습니다 endings, structured and polite. Beginner Conversational: -요 endings for a friendly yet polite tone. Intermediate Conversational: Quotative endings -데요 and -래요 to add storytelling and indirect speech.

2. Practice Tips:

Rewrite formal sentences from textbooks using conversational endings to make them sound more natural. Practice indirect speech using -데요 and -래요 by retelling stories or phrases from others.

3. Cultural Note – Pepero Day:

November 11th is Pepero Day in Korea! Pepero sticks are exchanged among friends, couples, and family members to show love and friendship. Tip: Join in by grabbing some Pepero for a taste of this fun tradition.

4. Teaser:

Keep an eye out for a special mini challenge launching soon! Perfect for boosting your Korean speaking skills—more details to come.

In this episode, we’ll explore key vocabulary to help you start transitioning from TOPIK Level I to Level II. These words will not only support your exam preparation but also enhance your everyday Korean conversations. I’ll guide you through practical examples and share tips on how to use these words correctly in context.

You’ll also learn how to effectively use my free PDF vocabulary guide, which is available in the show notes. I’ll walk you through how you can create your own sentences using the new vocabulary to make it more practical and relevant for real-life situations. Plus, we’ll discuss how repetition and regular practice can help you retain these words for both TOPIK and daily conversations.

If you’d like more support, join my invite-only Facebook group where you can share your sentences and get personalized feedback. Find the link in the show notes!

Resources Mentioned:

- Get your free TOPIK essential vocabulary guide here:  FREE GUIDE 👈

- Join my Invite-Only Facebook group to ace your TOPIK exam: JOIN HERE 👈

Welcome to the first episode of TOPIK & Beyond!

I'm Eliza, a certified Korean teacher, and in this podcast, I'm here to guide you through your Korean language learning journey. Whether you're preparing for the TOPIK exam or just looking to improve your everyday Korean, you’re in the right place.

In this episode, I'll share why I started this podcast and how my experiences learning other languages—like English, Chinese, and French—have shaped my approach to teaching Korean.

I know firsthand how challenging and rewarding the language learning process can be, and as a certified teacher, I understand what works best when it comes to mastering a language.

Here's what you can expect from future episodes:

I want to make learning Korean engaging and practical. So tune in, subscribe, and let’s embark on this language journey together. Happy learning!