Studying Korean at SOGANG UNIVERSITY KLEC 🇰🇷 Everything about the Placement Test, First Days + Tips!

[@luciemt7510]

A big thank you for this video because I am going to sogang in 2025! That helped me a lot!! Thanksss

[@kimincoree]

I am so glad to hear so!! 😍 I have a few other videos about Sogang already publish and some others coming up soon, I hope these will be helpful to you too 😉 Do you already know which level you want to go for when going to Sogang next year?

[@assiaelm]

I love you sincerity ❤ I started korean three years now, i can understand korean at a low intermediate level but I STILL CANT SPEAK, it is frustrating but now your video gives me courage to continue. Thank you. I hope you do well in your studies and life😊

[@kimincoree]

Thank you so much for your comment 🥹🥰 yeah speaking is always the hardest 🥲 but with courage and practice we can improve little by little. And let’s remember that the point of speaking is communicating and not being perfect. Wishing you all the best~ 화이팅! 💪

[@ellen.may12]

thanks for your series on sogang! i just finished my application for sogang n will be coming for sept-may so this is helpful to see what itll b like

[@kimincoree]

I’m so glad to hear that 🥰 this is exactly for people like you that I wanted to do these videos because I was looking for some myself when I registered 😄 lovely to hear that you will be attending Sogang! Do you already have an idea of the level you wanna attend? I also have more videos about practical things about life in Korea (accommodation, budget etc) coming soon so please look forward to those too~

[@ellen.may12]

@@kimincoree Yeah thank u!! when i was choosing which uni to apply for there wasnt much on sogang so im glad theres some now to prepare over the summer a bit. im currently studying in the uk at uni and im terrible at remembering vocab so i was thinking i might look at some of sogangs vocab over the summer so im not super behind when i arrive. with the levels im a bit confused on which i am because i self studied for 3 years and have been at uni for two..so i was thinking 3/4? not sure though 😅

[@kimincoree]

@@ellen.may12going though the levels one and two and checking you know all the vocab and grammar point before arriving would be very useful!! 👍 also if you are between level 3 and 4 I would suggest doing exactly those two as you are staying several semester. I made the mistake to push to be in a higher level when I studied at yonsei and I struggled so so hard and I was super stressed and it was really not worth it. Just see what the teacher tells you at the placement test. I considered myself between level 4-5 at the placement test and she recommended 4 because my speaking was lacking a lot and I was in the end very happy with this level. Some people wanna push to do higher level (hello old me) but then you also don’t have any time at all to actually enjoy Korea so it’s not the best. ☹️ Would it be your first time going to Korea?

[@ellen.may12]

@@kimincoree thanks for the advice! ill defo go for the lower level then to make it less stressful for myself. the main thing that will help my korean is just being surrounded with the language and using it daily i think. i havent been to korea before so im really excited haha.

[@kimincoree]

@@ellen.may12 your first time! Omg so exciting!! To meet more Korean people I reckon going to group language exchange! It’s safer that directly one on one and it’s a good way to make sure you get some practice time. To practice before you go though you can go online language exchange, have you tried that?

[@paulwalther5237]

It’s so nice to get an update from you! I hope the class works out well and you improve your speaking skills. I didn’t realize your speaking skills lagged behind your other skills because I know your listening and reading are really good. It’s been a while but I used to trail off and not finish my sentences too. I’m thinking more of my Japanese. I don’t speak Korean so much yet. But I don’t think I have a problem finishing sentences so much as remembering words and nothing comes out 😂. How is your speaking speed? Have you listened to yourself speaking? You might benefit if you challenge to speak as fast as you can when you talk. When I first recorded my Japanese I was horrified at how slowly I spoke. Anyway, I found challenging myself to speak as fast as possible helped my Japanese. I didn’t keep doing that forever - I just speak at the rate of speed that seems natural now, but some people now tell me I speak fast (I’m guessing compared to other foreigners - natives speak much faster than I ever will) I’m signed up to take a short term two week class at LEXIS Korea. Just a hogwan basically, not associated with any university. I think at least half the students are short term like me. I signed up for homestay but it hasn’t been confirmed. It would be fun to live with a Korean family who talked to me some. I’m worried I will test into the same class as a year and a half ago - upper beginner 😂. I actually didn’t test into it, I complained and then they put me in it. I know for sure I can speak and listen better but my grammar is probably about the same as before. Personally I have never improved my speaking skills significantly in any classroom. I’ve gotten a little prestige for sure and had fun but real fluency came either from lots of reading and listening or speaking with friends I made. I suspect you’ll need to make a Korean friend who’s a good listener and doesn’t speak English or not very well before you really get good at speaking.

[@kimincoree]

I feel like finishing the sentences in Korean (and I believe in japanese too but correct me if I am wrong) is especially difficult because it's not just conjugating the verb properly but also the nuances are in the grammar point/conjugaison too and there is so much to think about 😅 I speak at a decent speed now in Korean, but obviously slower than my other languages. To be fair I speak very fast in French and English anyway haha Oh I hate listening to myself speak 😂 I think most people do haha. But I did hear that recording oneself speaking and listening again to realise the mistakes in intonation/accent/tone etc is a very useful exercise! Ohhhhh so exciting!! What made you choose LEXIS Korea rather than another hagwon may I ask? Yes staying with a family is much better than dormitory or hotel or the likes. You get an ever more immersive experience and maybe make friends at the same time ^^ I look forward to hearing from how it all went! I think that if you study a bit before passing the placement test you would be able to score higher than last time! 화이팅~~

[@nisaryan4710]

very informative video thank you! (I followed 💗)

[@kimincoree]

🥹🥹🥹 thank you so much it means a lot to me 💗 I hope you’ll also enjoy my future content and find it just as informative ☺️ let me know if there are any perticular subjects that are of interest to you! 😉 Have a lovely day~

[@gohazard4284]

Thank you for making these videos! I am considering going there either at the end of next year or start of 2026 and it is great so see more videos about it :)

[@kimincoree]

I’m so glad to hear that my video was useful to you 🥰 if you are planning to go there in one or two years of course some things might have changed but in general I reckon the way it works should stay relatively similar to how it was for me. 😉Have you started learning Korean in the meantime or do you plan to go and start learning in Korea?

[@gohazard4284]

@@kimincoree Hopefully only in good ways :D I have been trying to learn Korean for a long long time. I know the basics, but I often took long breaks making me have to start back from almost the beginning. I wanted to go to Sogang already a few years ago, but then I got a good job opportunity so I took that instead. Now I want to save some money and then go. :) An idea (in case you have not yet done so) would be maybe a video about the cost of living you have as a student. There are some videos about it on KZbin, but they are often more related to English teachers.

[@kimincoree]

@@gohazard4284 thank you much for the video idea!! Feel free to request anything else you think might be of interest it helps me making content that is useful to you guys and that’s my goal! 🥰 As it turns out I do have a video in preparation about how I prepared my finances for Korea and a super detail break down of my expenses! 💰 and others about accommodation, shopping and living tips etc. But making these videos takes me really a long time so please bear with me 🙏 As for leaning Korean on and off I totally understand. It’s really hard to stay focused when you have other things going on in your life. Maybe make it a goal to do some Korean studying only 30min twice a week or something like that . It’s not really enough to progress loads but it would allow you to not forget all that you learn! 😉 can I ask what you are currently using to study?

[@gohazard4284]

@@kimincoree I am now currently revising my vocab from TTMIK my first 500 Korean words. Though I basically know all of them, I am waiting for some books to arrive. I got the Sogang books 1A - 3B for 50€ and will be learning the vocab for them as well. I have been taking some 1 on 1 classes on iTalki, but I need to go back and drill the basic grammar points again as I have noticed that I was struggling with them a lot. I also started to use chatgpt a little bit, which has been nice so far especially with the new version. Regarding the video, no worries, I understand that it takes a long time!

[@kimincoree]

@@gohazard4284 all of these books are really good choices in my opinion 👍 and yes chat gpt can be useful too! It’s a bit like a tutor but for more accurate practicing using a real person tutor is obviously better! I have only used chatgpt a little for Korean study for now, for like asking to breakdown a given grammar/word and give me example but I reckon there are loads of useful ways to use it? How are you using it yourself?

[@dharleigh0603]

Thank you for this video🤍🎉 Very helpful!

[@kimincoree]

Glad you found it useful 🥰 are you planning on studying Korean at Sogang?

[@sarahlucie01]

I only did level 1 at Sogang last year, I feel like the pattern doesn't really change through the levels, so I'm relieved because I'm going back next year. But I'm kinda scared about making friends. It was pretty easy at level 1 because we were all new here and most of us arrived in Korea very recently and we were all shitty in korean lol But as for other levels I'm not too sure... Anyways thank you for the video, I haven't taken the placement test for level 1 but it's nice to know it's pretty easy and short, that was making me nervous for next year lol

[@kimincoree]

I’m glad you liked the video 🥰 don’t worry, I think a lot of new people would still be coming at level 2 so it would be a lot less of a problem than at level 4. And even at level 4 I ended up managing to make a good friend from the class and a couple more casual friends in general from Sogang by the end of the term. 😉 Can I asked how you found the level 1? Was it hard that the teacher explained everything in Korean even though you were all beginners?

[@sarahlucie01]

@@kimincoree honestly, it's pretty easy to make friends here because we're kinda forced to do activities together and speak to eachother, even as an introvert I had no problems 😹 thank you, I'm less anxious about it then! As for level 1, I already had the basics (i knew hangeul, a few vocabulary etc...) but some people of my class were totally beginners and they struggled speaking and reading. Some of them gave up and left in the middle of the semester even🥲 Most of the class already had some basics/knew the writing. I believe if you're a real beginner, level 1 would be pretty hard for you, and it would be hard to catch up with your other classmates:(

[@sarahlucie01]

@@kimincoree and, the teachers were speaking slowly, as if we were children, they also used english from time to time if we were really struggling

[@kimincoree]

@@sarahlucie01 Yeah I think knowing your hangeul beforehand makes a huge difference because it's an intensive course and you need to keep going and not spend a whole month on that. I think also that a lot more people would give up halfway through in level 1 then other levels because in higher levels you know what you are signing up for haha ah that's interesting that there were using a bit of english. Grammar could be really hard to understand when explain fully in the target language. I reckon the teacher would use a lot of visuals like pics to show the meaning instead of translating no? Also, in level 1 were you mostly divided with western speakers and asian speakers or more all together? Because I know from having in classes at yonsei with mostly japanese that they get everything so much faster than western language speakers and I really really struggled to keep up with them

[@sarahlucie01]

@@kimincoree yes, they used english sometimes but like at the very beginning, and they didn't like using english/us speaking english together even during the breaks haha But yes they explained with pictures and gestures too, instead of translating right ahead. I guess since we were level 1 they just were less severe. And we were all mixed together in my class at least, but we got to meet other level 1 classes and they were also mixed pretty evenly. I'm french, and I had 2 other french classmates, japanese, thai, american, australian, russian, taiwanese, chinese,... just in my class haha But I noticed that the more you get up in the levels, the less westerners there are

[@ma.rie3454]

Hi can i ask you more what if im now level 2 (study alone) i want to get on level 3. What test wrting should i do? Big paragraphe? Hope you can help

[@ka-tie3894]

When you need to do the writing and speaking test at the start, do you know how this would work for someone who has no experience or knowledge of of writing or speaking in Korean?

[@kimincoree]

No don’t worry 😉 If you are a complete beginner you will just be placed into the beginner class without needing to pass the test!

[@SkyFlame27]

Thank you for the video. I just applied to Sogang and hope to be there in the fall! I do have a question though, have you done any of their special culture classes or field trips? Or some of their free extra courses? If you have, are they any good/fun? I’m interested in the kpop one in particular but pronunciation seems good too.

[@kimincoree]

Yes I did an extra prononciation class, which was so-so to be honest. But a friend had done the prononciation class with another teacher the previous semester and really liked it so you have to get lucky I suppose. I wanted to do other culture classes but the ones I was interested in was not offered during the semester I was there so I didn’t do it. For the class field we went with some other intermediate level classes to a small play all in Korean. It was really fun and I could understand surprisingly most of it so it was nice! The field trips changes every semester and it depends levels too so I dunno what you would be doing… which level do you wanna apply for?

[@SkyFlame27]

@@kimincoree Thank you! I’m starting at level 1. I know some basic Korean but doubt my foundation is good enough for level 2.

[@kimincoree]

@@SkyFlame27 oh good then you can restart form the beginning without being stressed and get all the foundations in the language sorted! It will be fun and you’ll then progress so quickly! Especially if you do up to level 3!!

[@dharleigh0603]

⁠@@SkyFlame27Hello, are you also coming for the fall semester? I'm starting level 1 as well.

[@SkyFlame27]

@@dharleigh0603 I am. So excited, it’s just a few more weeks

[@laetitiae7019]

Thank you for your video ! That was very informative ❤ I was wondering how long it takes to do one level ? Is it 3 months ? I think i am at intermediate level for reading/listening but not as good at speaking 😅 thats why sogang seems like a good fit. Though Since i am a little older (37) i am a little worried about not fitting in !

[@kimincoree]

If you aren't as confident with speaking, I would advise going one level lower, as I had to do (I had finished the equivalent of the level 4 in another institute but re-did level 4 at sogang). I was ultimatly really happy with that choice. Either way don't worry because the teacher will be able to assess the appropriate level for you!! As for fitting in at an older age, yeah most people in those intensive course are in their 20s, but that doesn't mean you can't make friends! Or at least be friendly during class. In my class I think 1/3 of the students were in their 30s with one of those students being over 40. I have done the evening course too (at Yonsei though not Sogang) and there it was the opposite with most people except me and another guy being under 30. Now don't let the thought of age deter you, you are all students of the same class at approximately the same level and it is all that matters! I hope you'll have fun! Also one level is about 10 weeks for the intensive course. When are you thinking of going to Sogang? Thanks for watching~ ❤

[@laetitiae7019]

@@kimincoree I am thinking september if I manage to save enough money by then !

[@kimincoree]

@ then I cross my fingers for you 🤞 화이팅~ 🥰

[@shwetasingh-e8s]

Is it hard to get admission in Korean language program for those who are above 30 year old?

[@shemflomo4385]

Hello, my name is Shem, come from Liberia. I'm finding it difficult to get the application form for sogang university. Can you aid me in the process please?

[@kimincoree]

Hello. All the information for the application process are on the Sogang Klec admission page. Good luck!! 🤞

[@Lumyko]

Hi, I’m reviewing your video because I’ll be going to Sogang. Thank you again, it helped me a lot! I’m curious about how the writing test works. Do they just give you a topic and that’s it? For example, are you not online with your camera on?

[@kimincoree]

Hey so when I passed it, the writing test was timed. You don't need to be on zoom or go in person, but the test's script (the question you have to write about) is available on their website as a given hour and you have to send your paper a certain interval after that, and that's how they time it. So you have to be ready at the release time or you'll miss precious time. Also I make the mistake (I can't remember if it was at Sogang or Yonsei but at one of them) of not having the pop-up enabled on my browser and I was confused as of why the question was not appearing when it was time! So maybe double check that in advance haha

[@Lumyko]

@ Yeah thank you for answer and for thoses details ☺️ I had my writing test last Tuesday and they give some details the week before. They also send a zip files with more details about the process~ I was surprise about the time they give us to write

[@kimincoree]

@ oh how long did you have to right? I don’t remember

[@Lumyko]

@ only 30 minutes 😭😭

[@kimincoree]

@@Lumyko yeah I remember it was stressful. And you have to remove time for checking the question and also sending your answer 😰

[@KimM-h9l]

May I know the Requirements and what should I do for registration application

[@kimincoree]

You’ll find all the information you need on the application page of the sogang KLI (Korean language institute) 😉

[@Lumyko]

Sogang looks like so nice but I don’t like the fact you must prepare a topic and speak about it in front of everyone. I always hated that even in my native language 😭😂 thank you for sharing your experience with us 🥰

[@kimincoree]

Same!! But actually they allow to record our presentation (the long one not the short one) on video and submit it to the teacher. That’s what I did because I just can’t deal with public speaking my brain goes blank haha 🙈 I’ll make a video about it the presentation soon too 😉

[@Lumyko]

@@kimincoree Omg that's so nice !! I'll reconsider it then. I cant wait to see your video about presentation~ 💕

[@kimincoree]

@@Lumyko Coming soon~ 💞

[@KaruMedve]

*는 목표 어휘입니다.

[@kookiestst]

where did she talk about differences in yonsei and sogang

[@kimincoree]

Can’t remember exactly what I was saying but I think it was something about the fact that students are clearly more used to practicing speaking at Sogang than at Yonsei. 😉 but do you have a specific thing you wanted to know about the difference between the two unis?

[@sanasamathitazarchi5681]

When you said you studied at the Sejong Institute, is that in Korea?

[@kimincoree]

They must also be in Korea but I personally studied at the Sejong institutes in France and Germany 😉

[@딥Doreamon-연인]

누나 저는 방글라데시 세종 학당에서 한국어를 배우고 있어요.

[@kimincoree]

와~~ ☺️ 저도 세종 학당에서 한국어를 공부했어요. 프랑스하고 독일에 있는 세종 학당을 다녔어요. 세종 학당에 대한 비디오 하나 제 체널에 하나 있는데 혹시 봤어요? 방글라데시 세종 학당에 어떤 급 공부하고 있나요? 초급? 중급?

[@딥Doreamon-연인]

@@kimincoree네,세종 학당 대한 비디오 봤어요. 저는 2급 공부하고 있어요.

[@kimincoree]

@@딥Doreamon-연인 2급 공부하고 있구나~ 와~ 👏 어때요? 한국어 공부하는 거? 재밌어요? 어려워요?

[@딥Doreamon-연인]

@@kimincoree 정말 재미있어요🥰

[@kimincoree]

@@딥Doreamon-연인 ☺️☺️

[@lipo9927]

Hey, did you do the 3 month or 6 month program? This seems like a lot of content for just 3 months 🥲

[@kimincoree]

I did the 3 months one, which is actually 10 weeks of course really. yeah it is very intensive but worth it! Some people take a break the following trimester to rework in al that content and then continue on with the following level, some people power though and do 2 levels in 6 months. Are you planning on doing one or two levels?