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Sungkyunkwan University

The Korean Alphabet: An Introduction to Hangeul

Sungkyunkwan University via FutureLearn

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Overview

Explore the Hanguel alphabet and start learning Korean

Hanguel, also spelt Hangul or Han’gŭl, is the alphabetic system used for writing the Korean language.

Known as Chosŏn muntcha in North Korea, it consists of 24 letters including 14 consonants and ten vowels.

The name combines the ancient Korean word han (‘great’), and geul (‘script’). The word han is used to refer to Korea in general, so the name also means ‘Korean script’.

This course is an introduction to the basics of Hanguel including the principles and systems of consonants and vowels, as well as an exploration of the creation and use of Hangeul in a wider historical context.

This course is designed for students and teachers of Korean as well as anyone interested in Korean or alphabets from around the world.

Syllabus

  • Introduction to Hangeul
    • What is Hangeul?
    • Characteristics of Hangeul
    • Korean consonants and vowels
    • Status of Hangeul
    • How to write Hangeul letters
  • Creation and Distribution of Hangeul
    • Hangeul’s Creator, King Sejong the Great
    • Background of Hangeul’s Creation
    • Hangeul’s Creation Process and Promulgation
    • Hangeul’s Distribution
    • How to write Hangeul letters
  • Principles of Hangeul’s Character Creation
    • Principles of Hangeul’s Character Creation 1
    • Principles of Hangeul’s Character Creation 2
    • Principles of Hangeul’s Character Creation 3
    • Writing in Syllabic Blocks
    • How to write Hangeul letters
  • Reading and Writing Hangeul
    • Writing a Greeting in Korean using Hangeul
    • Writing Your Name in Hangeul
    • Reading Hangeul
    • Hangeul Tourist Sites
    • How to write Hangeul letters

Taught by

Daun Kim

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Reviews

3.5 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

Start your review of The Korean Alphabet: An Introduction to Hangeul

  • Profile image for Hibah Shabkhez
    Hibah Shabkhez @hibahshabkhez
    This course introduces the Hangeul alphabet along with its fascinating history and the institutions dedicated to its promulgation today. I particularly appreciated the course audio being in Korean and the questions in the 'reflection time' steps that encourage students to be more analytical in their learning by connecting Hangeul and Korean to the scripts and languages they already know. As e-courses go, it's fun and fairly easy to follow; my only quibble is that I don't think most students will emerge from it having actually learnt Hangeul, because the alphabet is rushed over and there are no real exercises to practice reading Korean.
  • Sabrina Rocha Ferreira
    I started this couse because I didn't knew Hanguel and I wanted to learn the basics of Korean but I think this course focuses more on the historical context and the process of Hanguel's creation than teaching Hanguel itself.

    Although those things are important to understand Hanguel and Korean culture I wanted to be able to at least write and read more than just a few random words.

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