Sorry for the long wait! ^^
This textbook means alot to me since it’s the books that I’ve used in the Yonsei classes in Korea. There are 6 levels altogether and each level is split into 2 books (+2CDs). For the lower levels (1-3 i believe), the book comes in different versions: Chinese, Japanese, English etc. However, for the higher levels, only the Korean versions are available (I believe).
I used Level 6 for my classes and hence, I’ll review it ^^ I don’t have the rest of the levels, although I’m tempted to get level 5 also. My teachers told us that level 5 introduces alot of technical vocabulary, which is good for those who want to expand their vocabularies!
Go under the cut for the full review!
p.s. for those who don’t want to read my lengthy rant, there’s a succinct summary right at the end!
Each chapter revolves around a specific topic, eg. Environment, Globalisation. Chapters begin with a dialogue, followed by exercises that introduces vocabulary/expressions related to that topic.
This is followed by new grammar points, whose detailed illustrations are found at the back of each chapter. The exercises aim to help you get familiar with the usage of the constructions. Related readings are further exercises are also included at the back.
The only gripe I have is that solutions to exercises are not provided! Well, I supposed we can’t blame the book since it wasn’t designed for self-learners. They are meant to be used in the Yonsei classroom! I found content was made much more accessible and I enjoyed learning in the Yonsei classes. It can get a little overwhelming and detailed for self-learners. ^^
I used to think that with effort, self studying is also as effective. But the Yonsei classes changed my thinking. Having good teachers who will offer you extra details and more sample sentences can help alot. I can feel the difference: using the book in classes VS self studying now.
And I love how the classes are conducted entirely in Korean! 😀
Good points!
- introduces new vocabulary with context, such that everything falls into place neatly
- clear explanation of grammar points
- topics chosen are interesting, although specialised and technical
- dialogue is clever and loads of useful expressions in there
- highly detailed, transcriptions of extra listening exercises available at the back of book 2
To be improved/weak points!
- answers to exercises are not provided.
All in all, the Yonsei books are worth your purchase! Especially if you are serious about picking up the more academic and technical vocabulary! 😀
Working through the reading~!
If you have any specific questions on the book, feel free to leave a comment! If you have used the Yonsei books before, let me know what you think of them!
I’ll leave you with sneak pic of the possible upcoming reviews! 😀
33 Comments
lyrynne
26 October, 2010 at 11:38 AMthank you for the great review. I really want to get 5급 and 6급, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on those books. I’m worried about “the no answers are provided” but maybe i can work that out.
I think basic korean to a certain level can be self-attainable. Having classes is okay but I don’t think grasping the basics should be learned in class. I think having classes is fun since you attained a high level of fluency already, you can express yourself more and understand more. Learning technical terms is not that hard for you.
hangukdrama
26 October, 2010 at 11:43 AMthe ‘no answers provided’ pose quite abit of problem for self learners like us ): i miss the times that the teacher will go through them with us.
Taking korean classes at a high level is fun due to all the stimulating discussions/debates that we have. It makes learning so much more interactive and new knowledge is readily absorbed.
and it’s high time i do sth about the outdated korean resources page >,<
SuddenlyKorean
26 October, 2010 at 2:48 PMThanks for the review here. I’m using Integrated Korean. I guess it’s not targeted at self-learners too, as no answers were provided. But I still enjoy studying the textbook! 🙂 Looking forward to your next review!
Kliorin
24 April, 2015 at 7:44 AMActually I will have to disagree^^ Before going for exchange in Korea (I did Fall2012/Spring2013 at Ajou University) I studied by myself by using Complete Korean and occasionally Rosetta Stone (I know crappy choice) and to be honest I realised how unfortunate it was when I started taking classes during my exchange, I skipped to 2nd level straight away since I already knew basic stuff like reading and basic grammar but I could barely understand what teacher is saying because during my studies I haven’t heard native pronunciation (I wasn’t into watching dramas which of course was a big mistake of mine, but I just couldn’t bring myself to watch them) so like it was a very silly situation cuz my speech was around pre-intermediate but my listening was so underdeveloped that I couldn’t utilize my speech cuz I wouldn’t understand what people are asking me.
TL;DR Actually for a fundamental level such as basic having a teacher who constantly speaks to you in language is essential
JK
26 October, 2010 at 2:12 PM저도 그 문법 사전을 샀어요! Good compact grammar dictionary to have… 개학했다.. 요즘 퀴즈가 많이 있어서 정신 없이 한국어를 배워요. 이 기분 진짜 싫다.. ㅠㅠ
hangukdrama
26 October, 2010 at 11:08 PMㅋㅋ 그런 기분이 저도 알 알아요 ㅠㅠ
Yan
26 October, 2010 at 10:52 PMIt’s really inspiring and interesting to read your Korean Learning Journey……(^_^)…i will definitely recommend your blog to my friends……
May i know if i can find the Yonsei textbook for beginner in Singapore?? or online??
Thank you
hangukdrama
26 October, 2010 at 11:08 PMHi Yan!
You should be able to get them online. I dont think you can find them here. I bought mine in Korea ^^
수이
26 October, 2010 at 11:09 PMcontents aside, the structure is actually similar to the ones by Kyung Hee. 말하기/ 듣기, 쓰기, 분법, 어휘. and i agree, both series are not very good for self-learners of higher levels due to the lack of explanation in another language. KLEAR is good for self-studies (as you have recommended! =D)!
hangukdrama
28 October, 2010 at 9:05 AMyes! the kyung hee series is good too! But i like how the yonsei textbook itself has ample exercies to practice on. It has a separate workbook, but I didnt get it due to cost reasons (hahaha) and that our teacher didn’t use it. ^^
Warp3
26 October, 2010 at 11:11 PMThanks. I’ve seen reviews before for Integrated Korean and Elementary/Continuing Korean, but not for the Yonsei series.
jean
27 October, 2010 at 6:01 PMhhhaah. i have that grammar book too!
Naarai
28 October, 2010 at 5:52 AMI think that Yonsei Books are the best books to study with.
I myself have never purchased one but hopefully I will one day.
I’ve seen previews of them and I want them so badly especially the 연세 한국어 읽이 series.
Where do you buy your Yonsei books?
Unfortunately there arent any places here that sell Korean textbooks or anything and I don’t want to order from a Korean website because I’m afraid that I might click on something else. ㅠㅠ
Warp3
28 October, 2010 at 8:22 AMI don’t know where you live (since you didn’t specify), but Hanbooks.com sells Korean textbooks (including the Yonsei series). They are based in California (US), so the site is completely in English, and the site says they ship internationally. I have bought books from them before, but I’m in the US, so I can’t vouch for the international shipping part.
http://www.hanbooks.com/koreanlanguage.html
Naarai
29 October, 2010 at 7:35 AMOh! Awesome!
thanks for the website.
I live in the US too. (East Coast)
hangukdrama
28 October, 2010 at 9:04 AMI have the 한국어 읽기 6 too! will do a review on it soon 😀 i agree its awesome~
I bought my books in Yonsei. ^^ you can also try http://english.gmarket.co.kr/ It’s probably the most famous korean online shopping mall, but it has a full english version ^^
Naarai
29 October, 2010 at 7:36 AMThanks. I’ll be sure to check it out! ^^
Yonsei International Summer School – Korean lessons « Hangukdrama and Korean
12 January, 2011 at 1:17 PM[…] WritingWe don’t actually write much in class. The textbook which we used is really challenging and the vocabulary are tough. It may be a little overwhelming for those who […]
Yonsei International Summer School – Korean Lessons | Nanoomi.net
14 January, 2011 at 9:23 AM[…] Writing: We don’t actually write much in class. The textbook which I used is really challenging and the vocabulary are tough. It may be a little overwhelming for those who […]
owbEe
30 January, 2011 at 6:04 PMHave you seen the earlier levels of this book? Does it also have the same format? I really like the format of this book. And I think the quality of the book is really good. I want to buy that book but I already have tons of Korean books that I’m taking for granted. Oh well! I think I need to finish my books first.
Thanks Shanna for this review. 😀
hangukdrama
30 January, 2011 at 7:16 PMhmm i havent seen other levels. but i assume that the higher levels should have similar format ^^ i need to finish my books too heh 😀
Khoa
15 February, 2011 at 11:22 PMHi,
I was wondering if you could tell me approximately what Yonsei books are equal to which integrated Korean books?
I’ve gone through integrated Korean intermediate 1&2, so which Yonsei book do you think is suitable? Thanks
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5 March, 2011 at 4:43 PM[…] consists of 6 books (Level 1-6) and are used in Yonsei’s KLI classes together with the Yonsei Korean series that I’ve reviewed some time back. The following review is for the Level 6 book (the only one I own now), so some of the content may […]
Sam's Dad (Don Palahnuk)
17 May, 2012 at 5:17 AMWhat is the ISBN of Yonsei Korean Reading 6 ?
Thanks,
Don
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13 August, 2012 at 9:36 AM[…] some panic moments during the process. It was epic. And also to Shanna’s awesome book reviews here and here. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was […]
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21 August, 2012 at 10:39 PM[…] good news is that the school is switching over to Yonsei University Textbooks (which I raved about HERE and HERE) slowly from level 1 onwards. I find Yonsei textbooks more challenging in all aspects […]
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10 October, 2012 at 12:36 AM[…] Cost: 26,000won inclusive of a CD If you are interested, check out my review for the Yonsei Textbook, Yonsei Reading book and also other reviews […]
Korean Vitamin
18 May, 2013 at 12:44 PMI wonder which series is better for self-learners, the one from Ganada or Yonsei. These 2 seem to be the most popular series among Japanese bloggers.
hangukdrama
18 May, 2013 at 1:24 PMmmm tough choice xD
Kevin J.
18 December, 2014 at 9:33 PMDo you have any idea where I can buy the textbooks online and get them to be mailed to my address outside of South Korea? I had the shock of my life when I realized that they cost 117 Singapore dollars in Singapore!
~helooo
6 August, 2015 at 4:26 AMhmm, for the yonsei book…im planning to buy one but i’m just wondering what type of paper the book uses. Please tell me that the pages inside aren’t like photography paper T.T it makes me cringe..
Emerson Recto
26 December, 2015 at 8:12 AMHello! I was wondering if you could help me out a bit; I’m kinda in a crisis. I just got the Yonsei 1-1 book and workbook for self study, but I honestly have no idea how to use them! I am determined to self-study from them, but I just don’t understand it, since it’s all in Korean except for grammar explanations. What should I so, since I will still definitely use them? Thanks
Hangukdrama
26 December, 2015 at 9:21 AMHello! I think you should start by learning Hangeul! Have you learnt that yet? You can go to the online sogang program (just google) or ttmik! (: It would be a good place to start and get some basics first before diving into the book (: Let me know if you have other questions! I’ll try to help! 😀