- Multiple levels
- Small class size – max. 12 students
- Native-speaking & experienced instructors
- Affordable tuition – $380 per level
- 4 terms per year – each 10 weeks long
- Convenient downtown location or online
Learn Korean at the International Language Institute in Washington, DC, or online
Study the Korean Language at ILI offering four 10-week terms throughout the year. We offer 6 different beginner levels. Our Korean classes take place once a week in the evenings. Our teachers are all native-speaking and experienced. The Korean Language Program integrates speaking, listening, reading and writing. We maintain small class sizes to enable adequate time for conversation in every class. To find your level, please refer to the level description or use our self-evaluation guide. If you have further questions, please call Jane Edwards, ILI’s Foreign Language Coordinator, at 202-686-5610 extension 105. Enroll now!
Live, Instructor-led In-Person or Online Korean Classes.
Learn Korean in person or online from a live instructor using Zoom. All online classes are instructor-led, in real-time, allowing for the same live interaction as our in-person classes. Some of our classes are a combination of in-person and online students. We have 360-degree cameras in the rooms enabling online participants to feel part of the class. This hybrid class environment allows students to engage with each other and the instructor and to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking the Korean Language.
Schedule Register Now!
| 2025 Term: | Session Dates: | Registration Deadline: |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jan. 13-Mar. 22, 2025 | Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 |
| Spring | Apr. 7-Jun. 14, 2025 | Monday, Mar. 24, 2025 |
| Summer | Jun. 30-Sep. 6, 2025 | Monday, Jun. 16, 2025 |
| Fall | Sep. 22-Dec. 6, 2025 | Monday, Sep. 8, 2025 |
Korean Level Description
This basic course will introduce students to both the spoken and written forms of the language. Upon completion of this course, students should also expect to be able to engage in simple conversations about everyday activities as well as to read and write the complete Korean “Han’gul” writing system. Proper pronunciation and the development of conversational proficiency are also emphasized. Previous Korean not required.
Offered on: Mondays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: Students will learn the basics of the Korean language and perform appropriate spoken and written communication, and learn useful daily expressions. The objective is to enable the student to obtain the necessary survival skills in order to communicate in basic humble Korean.
Learning Outcome: Students will obtain a solid foundation on the basics of the Korean language. They will have been introduced to the “Han’gul” writing system. Students will be able to obtain a good grasp of just what kind of language Korean is while learning basic conversation through proper greetings based on social hierarchy and terms of address.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar are introduced through exercises and dialogues on topics involving, greetings, address and telephone numbers, days and times, etc. Grammatical topics include demonstratives, honorifics and the humble form, pronouns, interrogatives, negation, descriptive and action verbs, conjunctions.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 1 Textbook & Workbook, 3rd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-Introduction-Lesson 2; Workbook-Introduction-Lesson 2
Offered on: Mondays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: Students will learn the basics of the Korean language and perform appropriate spoken and written communication, and learn useful daily expressions. The objective is to enable the student to obtain the necessary survival skills in order to communicate in basic humble Korean.
Learning Outcome: Students will obtain a solid foundation on the basics of the Korean language. They will have been introduced to the “Han’gul” writing system. Students will be able to obtain a good grasp of just what kind of language Korean is while learning basic conversation through proper greetings based on social hierarchy and terms of address.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar are introduced through exercises and dialogues on topics involving, greetings, address and telephone numbers, days and times, etc. Grammatical topics include demonstratives, honorifics and the humble form, pronouns, interrogatives, negation, descriptive and action verbs, conjunctions.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 1 Textbook & Workbook, 3rd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-Introduction-Lesson 2; Workbook-Introduction-Lesson 2
This level continues to build up necessary basic grammar skills that will enable students to understand, read, write and speak correct Korean. It continues to build on the basic 1 level by adding vocabulary and slightly more complex structures. Classes will continue to focus on conversation and learning the reading and writing skills of the “Han’gul” writing system, engaging in longer conversations on familiar everyday topics. Either Basic 1 or some introductory level course required.
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To continue to develop and enhance students’ introductory level of reading and writings of “Han’gul”, and continue to expand the basic grammar through more intricate verb tenses and lengthier speaking, writing, and reading assignments.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use more complicated Korean vocabulary in dialogues and written work. Students will learn the particle usage and basic sentence patterns.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar are introduced through more exercises and dialogues on topics involving, the use of express possessions, alternate questions, object and locative particles, numbers, irregular verbs.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 1 Textbook & Workbook, 3rd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 3-5; Workbook-lessons 3-5
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To continue to develop and enhance students’ introductory level of reading and writings of “Han’gul”, and continue to expand the basic grammar through more intricate verb tenses and lengthier speaking, writing, and reading assignments.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use more complicated Korean vocabulary in dialogues and written work. Students will learn the particle usage and basic sentence patterns.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar are introduced through more exercises and dialogues on topics involving, the use of express possessions, alternate questions, object and locative particles, numbers, irregular verbs.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 1 Textbook & Workbook, 3rd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 3-5; Workbook-lessons 3-5
In this class students will continue practice of conversation and writing in “Han’gul”. It continues to build on the basic 2 level by adding vocabulary and slightly more complex structures. Classes will continue to focus on conversation and learning the reading and writing skills of the Hangul writing system, engaging in longer conversations on familiar everyday topics. Either Basic 1 & 2 or some basic level courses required.
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To work toward a higher level of comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style. To continue one’s ability to speak in slightly more complex situations in different verb tenses and acquire a solid foundation of the language.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Students will have acquired a solid foundation of the language and will be ready for higher level study.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar continue to be developed through topics such as, vowel contraction, negative adverb, past and future verb tenses, negations, subject honorific, demonstrative expressions, clausal connective.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 1 Textbook & Workbook, 3rd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 6-8; Workbook-lessons 6-8
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To work toward a higher level of comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style. To continue one’s ability to speak in slightly more complex situations in different verb tenses and acquire a solid foundation of the language.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Students will have acquired a solid foundation of the language and will be ready for higher level study.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar continue to be developed through topics such as, vowel contraction, negative adverb, past and future verb tenses, negations, subject honorific, demonstrative expressions, clausal connective.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 1 Textbook & Workbook, 3rd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 6-8; Workbook-lessons 6-8
In this higher basic level class students will continue practice of conversation and writing in “Han’gul”. It continues to build on the basic 3 level by adding vocabulary and slightly more complex structures. Classes will continue to focus on conversation and learning the reading and writing skills of the Hangul writing system, engaging in longer conversations on familiar everyday topics. Either Basic 3 course or one year of basic level courses required.
Offered on: Tuesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To work toward a higher level of comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style. To continue one’s ability to speak in slightly more complex situations in different verb tenses and acquire a solid foundation of the language.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Students will have acquired a solid foundation of the language and will be ready for higher level study.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar continue to be developed through topics such as, noun-modifying forms, conjunctions, progressive verb form, irregular predicates, honorific expressions, and clausal connectives.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 2 Textbook & Workbook, 2nd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 9-11; Workbook-lessons 9-11
Offered on: Tuesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To work toward a higher level of comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style. To continue one’s ability to speak in slightly more complex situations in different verb tenses and acquire a solid foundation of the language.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Students will have acquired a solid foundation of the language and will be ready for higher level study.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar continue to be developed through topics such as, noun-modifying forms, conjunctions, progressive verb form, irregular predicates, honorific expressions, and clausal connectives.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 2 Textbook & Workbook, 2nd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 9-11; Workbook-lessons 9-11
In this higher basic level class students will continue practice of conversation and writing in “Han’gul”. It continues to build on the basic plus 4 level by adding vocabulary and slightly more complex structures. Classes will continue to focus on conversation and learning the reading and writing skills of the Hangul writing system, engaging in longer conversations on familiar everyday topics. Either basic plus 4 course or one year plus of basic level courses required.
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To work toward a higher level of comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style. To continue one’s ability to speak in slightly more complex situations in different verb tenses and acquire a solid foundation of the language.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Students will have acquired a solid foundation of the language and will be ready for higher level study.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar continue to be developed through topics such as, benefactive expression, expressing obligation or necessity, humble verb form, irregular predicates, adverbial form, negative commands, honorific expressions, and clausal connectives.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 2 Textbook & Workbook, 2nd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 12-14; Workbook-lessons 12-14
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To work toward a higher level of comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style. To continue one’s ability to speak in slightly more complex situations in different verb tenses and acquire a solid foundation of the language.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Students will have acquired a solid foundation of the language and will be ready for higher level study.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar continue to be developed through topics such as, benefactive expression, expressing obligation or necessity, humble verb form, irregular predicates, adverbial form, negative commands, honorific expressions, and clausal connectives.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 2 Textbook & Workbook, 2nd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 12-14; Workbook-lessons 12-14
In this last basic level class students will continue practice of conversation and writing in “Han’gul”. It continues to build on the basic plus 5 level by adding vocabulary and slightly more complex structures. Classes will continue to focus on conversation and learning the reading and writing skills of the Hangul writing system, however, it will have a more profound focus on Korean culture. Either basic plus 5 course or one year and a half of basic level courses required.
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To work toward a higher level of comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style. To continue one’s ability to speak in slightly more complex situations in different verb tenses and acquire a solid foundation of the language.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Students will have acquired a solid basic working knowledge of the language and will be ready for low intermediate level study.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar continue to be developed through topics such as, giving and offering, compound verb tenses, the conditional tense, honorific expressions, and clausal connectives.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 2 Textbook & Workbook, 2nd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 15-17; Workbook-lessons 15-17
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
Objective: To work toward a higher level of comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style. To continue one’s ability to speak in slightly more complex situations in different verb tenses and acquire a solid foundation of the language.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision. Students will have acquired a solid basic working knowledge of the language and will be ready for low intermediate level study.
Topics: Writing, pronunciation, and grammar continue to be developed through topics such as, giving and offering, compound verb tenses, the conditional tense, honorific expressions, and clausal connectives.
Textbook: Integrated Korean Beginning 2 Textbook & Workbook, 2nd edition, total $60
Lessons: Textbook-lessons 15-17; Workbook-lessons 15-17
Program Details
$380 ($400 in 2025) for a 10-week one level class per student. Au-Pairs can receive a 10% discount on tuition with proof of their status. Enroll now!
May be purchased at the time of registration or at the Institute before or on the first day of class. All prices quoted include a 6% DC sales tax and all prices are subject to change at any time. Tax-exempt organizations or individuals need to provide proof of sales tax exemption before being charged. No retroactive refunds of sales tax. Once received by the student, books and other materials are the property of the student and are non-refundable.
Regarding placement, we recommend that you go to our self-evaluation guide on our website. Kindly read through each description of each level. If you feel that you are able to fulfill all the tasks described in one level, then move on to the next level and so on, until you reach a description of tasks that you are unable to fulfill. That would correspond to the level of classes in which you should enroll. If, once enrolled, you should not feel comfortable at that level, you can transfer to another level, availability permitting. We do not offer placement tests.
Regular group classes meet once weekly in the evening (6:15-8:45 pm ET) or on Saturday mornings (10 am-12:30 pm ET) for 10 weeks. Each session is 2.5 hours. All class hours are U.S. Eastern Time (Standard or Daylight Saving). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week.
In-person at ILI and online via Zoom. Our classes are usually held in person at Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036. Classes are also offered online via Zoom. We are within walking distance from the Metro's Dupont Circle (South exit) and Farragut North stations. Parking garages are close by and parking on the street is available after 6:30 pm.
Minimum 3, maximum 12 students. We recommend signing up as early as possible so we can adequately plan for all classes. If the minimum enrollment of at least 3 students per class is not met, we will have to cancel that class after the registration deadline has passed. In case of a cancellation, students will be given the opportunity to change classes, postpone their enrollment or request a full refund.
Our program requires each student to participate in weekly quizzes, which will be graded, based on a “Pass” or “Fail” system. There will be a final quiz that will measure the sum of the instructional objectives for the course. Grades are verbally communicated to students at the end of each class/course, and are marked on the attendance/performance sheet. Students must have completed and passed at least 70% of the quizzes to move to the next level.
It is important for students to attend every class meeting. It is also important that they arrive on time for class. We cover a lot of material in each class. The instructor cannot repeat material for students who are absent or come late. Students will be marked absent when they do not come to class. Missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Students who arrive 15 minutes after the advertised starting time will be marked late. For every 3 times that the student is marked as late, it will count as a missed hour. If we notice that a student’s attendance is in danger of falling below 70%, we will issue an attendance report to the student.
Per request, we can issue certificates of completion after the term has ended. The certificate can be ordered at the front desk. In order to be eligible to receive a certificate or pass to the next level, you are required to attend a minimum of 70% of the classes and have a “Passing” grade. We will need a couple of days in order to verify your attendance and passing grade before issuing the certificate.
ILI’s foreign language group programs are accredited by ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training), and we also offer 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) per every successfully completed course, 5.0 for the accelerated courses. Upon request, our Certificates of Completion can include the CEU’s earned per semester.
No refunds are issued for any reason after the registration deadline for the term (see Schedule above). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week. Individually missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Otherwise there is no make-up for individually missed classes.
The International Language Institute reserves the right to cancel any class if deemed necessary. Prior to commencement of class, students will be given a full refund. In the event of cancellation after the commencement of class, the pro-rata portion of the unexpended tuition will be refunded. The prorated amount of refundable monies will be determined by the ratio of classes completed to the total number of classes in the scheduled program. The International Language Institute reserves the right to assign substitute instructors whenever necessary.
Classes are cancelled in accordance with federal government closures for the entire day due to inclement weather. Please check public announcements on radio, TV and the internet; or call ILI at (202) 362-2505. Closures are also posted on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ILIinDC. We rarely follow early dismissals. ILI is closed for the following holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. Group classes will not meet on these holidays and the missed class(es) will be made up at the end of the term.
Please contact our Foreign Language Coordinator, Jane Edwards, at (202) 686-5610 ext. 105 or at [email protected].