How to Study Korean (HTSK) is a free online Korean language learning resource created by Billy Go, providing structured grammar and vocabulary lessons from absolute beginner level through advanced, covering the full range of Korean grammar in a systematic, English-medium format. It is one of the most widely used free Korean learning resources globally, frequently recommended as the primary grammar reference for self-study Korean learners alongside Anki for vocabulary. The site is accessible at howtostudykorean.com.
Programs and Structure
How to Study Korean is organized into numbered units, each containing multiple lessons:
Unit 1 (Lessons 1–40): Absolute Beginner
Begins with Hangul (the Korean writing system), then introduces core grammar: basic sentence construction, particles (은/는, 이/가, 을/를), verb and adjective conjugation, honorific vs. informal speech, negation, and foundational vocabulary. Each lesson presents grammar with English-language explanations, example sentences in Korean with romanization and translation, and notes on usage nuance.
Unit 2 (Lessons 41–80): Beginner
Advances to: passive and causative forms, connecting sentences with -(으)면 and other conjunctions, desire and ability expressions, and politeness levels. Vocabulary sets are embedded in lessons rather than separated.
Unit 3 and Beyond: Intermediate–Advanced
Continues through intermediate and advanced grammar: formal speech registers, complex clause structures, reported speech, advanced connectors, and nuanced usage distinctions. Higher units address subtleties of written vs. spoken Korean, formal/informal register distinctions, and usage patterns encountered in native media.
Vocabulary Supplements
Each lesson includes vocabulary relevant to the grammar structures introduced. HTSK does not function as a dedicated vocabulary-building program — most learners supplement with Anki decks (including the popular TTMIK vocabulary decks or community-made HTSK-keyed Anki decks).
Video Content
Billy Go also produces Korean learning video content on YouTube (Billy Go Korean), with lessons that complement and extend the website content. The video content covers similar grammar topics with additional explanation and examples.
History
How to Study Korean was created by Billy Go and launched in the early 2010s as a personal language learning project. It grew into one of the most comprehensive free Korean grammar resources available in English, gradually expanding to cover the full range of Korean grammar from beginner to advanced levels.
The site’s structure and quality attracted a large self-study learner community, and it became the most frequently recommended free resource on r/Korean and in Korean learning communities, comparable in role to Genki and Tobira for Japanese or TTMIK for Korean speaking/listening development.
HTSK competes and complements with Talk to Me in Korean (TTMIK), which focuses more on audio-based content and conversational Korean. The two resources are often used together: HTSK for systematic grammar reference, TTMIK for listening practice and conversational patterns.
Practical Application
How to Study Korean is most effectively used as a primary grammar reference and study curriculum for self-study learners. Learners typically work through units sequentially, studying one or two lessons per day alongside Anki vocabulary practice.
Completing Unit 1 (Lessons 1–40) covers approximately the equivalent of TOPIK Level 1–2 grammar; completing Units 1–2 covers TOPIK Level 2–3 range. Advanced units extend to TOPIK Level 5–6 territory.
Because HTSK provides only text-based content, learners should supplement with listening practice (TTMIK podcast, Korean media) and speaking practice (iTalki tutors, language exchange partners) to develop comprehensive proficiency. Grammar from HTSK provides the structural framework; the language must be encountered in context and used in output for internalization.
Self-study learners who complete the full HTSK curriculum have a thorough understanding of Korean grammar — arguably more systematic than many classroom learners — but may have less listening comprehension and speaking fluency without supplemental audio and output practice.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that completing HTSK is equivalent to Korean fluency. Grammar knowledge from HTSK provides structural understanding, but vocabulary depth, listening comprehension, speaking ability, and reading fluency all require substantial additional practice. HTSK describes itself as a grammar and structure guide, not a complete language learning program.
Another misconception is that HTSK is more advanced than TTMIK. They cover similar grammar at beginner levels but serve different primary functions: HTSK is a text-based grammar reference for systematic structural learning; TTMIK is an audio/content platform oriented toward conversational exposure and speaking practice. They are complementary tools for different aspects of Korean acquisition.
Some learners also assume that because HTSK is free it is lower quality than paid Korean resources. The grammar explanations in HTSK are considered high quality and comprehensive by the Korean learning community, comparable or superior to paid beginner-intermediate Korean textbooks.
Social Media Sentiment
How to Study Korean consistently appears as the top free resource recommendation on r/Korean. New learner threads almost universally receive HTSK recommendations as the starting point for structured grammar study. The community strongly associates HTSK with self-study success stories for Korean.
Comparison threads between HTSK and TTMIK appear regularly, with most experienced learners recommending using both: HTSK for grammar structure, TTMIK for listening and conversational exposure. The consensus is that the two resources complement rather than compete with each other.
Some learners note that HTSK lessons can feel dense and text-heavy compared to app-based or video-based learning, which can make it harder to maintain motivation for learners who prefer visual or audio content delivery. The Billy Go YouTube channel is often recommended as a more engaging complement to the text lessons.
Last updated: 2025-05
Related Terms
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Research
- Kang, H. S. (2010). “Negative evidence as a pedagogical strategy in second language acquisition: A focus on Korean.” Language Teaching Research, 14(4), 423–441.
Summary: Examines how explicit grammar instruction and negative feedback affect Korean grammar acquisition; provides a theoretical framework for understanding why systematic grammar resources like How to Study Korean — which explicitly explain grammatical rules and common learner errors — support acquisition of Korean grammatical structures, particularly in self-study contexts where implicit corrective feedback from instructors is not available. - Lee, J., & Ramsey, S. R. (2011). A History of the Korean Language. Cambridge University Press.
Summary: Comprehensive historical and structural overview of the Korean language; provides background on Hangul, the historical development of Korean grammar, and the structural features — agglutinative morphology, SOV word order, speech levels — that HTSK grammar lessons address; relevant to understanding why systematic grammatical instruction is particularly important for Korean given the complexity of its honorific and formal/informal register system.