Korean Study Books

[Koreak]

Hello fellow waygookins

I am currently studying the 한국어1 (yellow) and 2 (green) series books from the Seoul National University Language Education Institute.

Does anyone have a copy of the CD or an electronic copy?

Thanks

[taeyang]

just out of interest, are those TOPIK?



sorry to thread-jack...

a question for everyone - what's the best korean study book?? i've been here almost two years and have actually picked up a lot... now it's time to do some formal study. any recommendations?

[Koreak]

As for Korean books, this has been the best one I have found.  It's a little difficult for a real beginner to pick up because it has zero romanization.  But if you have studied before it should be perfect.    It isn't a TOPIK book, but from the all of the TOPIK practice tests, the structure is almost the same.  Listening, reading, writing.

[plasticglass3s]

where can i buy the books you're referring to, kajbdc?

[Koreak]

I bought mine at bandi and lunis (I think that's the name).  The big Book store in COEX.  I highly recommend them.  I think it is the book they use for at Seoul National University.  Pretty cheap, 15000 won. 

[bmsteacher]

This is a great guide to supplement any Korean study program.  I've had it for four years now and continually refer to it when in need of clarification, or simply another non-native Korean speaker's perspective.  Check it out:

http://www.kyobobook.co.kr/product/detailViewEng.laf?ejkGb=ENG&mallGb=ENG&barcode=6101565911870&orderClick=LAG

[plasticglass3s]

that is cheap compared to the books i've bought! thanks, i'll look it up!^^

[Koreak]

Making out in Korean is also a helpful resource, a friend lent it to me and I sat down with my girlfriend reading from it.  She was impressed with the level of slang in the book that is absent from your typical study book.

[hankmcmasters]

making out in korean is pretty fun, but i don't think its that helpful.  before you buy it, i recommend downloading it and checking it out.  the kinds of things you learn in there probably won't help you in 95% of conversations, and i don't think it will do you much good for the TOPIK.  if you're genuinely in a situation where you need that book, i doubt your mind will be on books.

[gilbert.a.h]

I've been looking at books as well. The ones I used at my university were written by the professor. Her books are pretty good, but they are structured very different than books in Korea and all her pictures are from clipart. They are "You Speak Korean 한국말 하시네요" (by Haewon Cho, Soohee Kim, and Emily Curtis) And I like them. They are a little pricy at Kyobo, but they are better than most of the books there. They are actually college level and the authors do a good job explaining things, I thought.

I was considering buying the SNU books as they are the ONLY ones that look good. I tried the Yonsei books and they totally suck. For those books, you are paying for the pictures, not the education.

Are there any good books for the TOPIC test though?

[Koreak]

making out in korean is pretty fun, but i don't think its that helpful.  before you buy it, i recommend downloading it and checking it out.  the kinds of things you learn in there probably won't help you in 95% of conversations, and i don't think it will do you much good for the TOPIK.  if you're genuinely in a situation where you need that book, i doubt your mind will be on books.

Haha!  I had my girlfriend blushing on a few of the comments in that book!

[Janitor]

For TOPIK books I found that a lot of the test prep books were sort of a rip off because you can download the tests from the site and do them yourself. The one book that I found extremely useful was "The Complete Guide to TOPIK" The went through the test question by question explaining the grammar and the vocabulary. They gave examples of possible question variations as well. I picked it up from Seoul Selection here:
http://www.seoulselection.com/bookstore/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=2831&category_id=1&keyword=TOPIK&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53


As for Korean language books I have been using Integrated Korean and found it fairly useful. They gave different situations and explain the grammar used in each case. It is a little dated but it is a really in depth book. It can be a little dry at time though.
http://www.whatthebook.com/book/9780824834401?

[drkhv7]

Janitor, which level's tests did yr TOPIK study book apply - beginner, intermed, or advanced?  Was it S-TOPIK or TOPIK?

If you're done with the intermediate, I'd be happy to buy it from you...It's gonna take a lot of work to nail level 3/4 and I have a friend studying now who would share w/me.

PM me if intersted. 

I found the Korean Hakgyo (from declan software I believe) to be good for beginners.  You can download it online.  I second the notion to download a pdf of Making Out in Korean before buying - mostly for fun, not useful.
Thx!