Learn Korean for Free: The King Sejong Institute Platforms
Here are the free online Korean learning platforms and multilingual help lines run by the King Sejong Institute Foundation, drawn from official sources.
If you want to learn Korean but private academy fees feel steep, start with the free platforms the government runs. The King Sejong Institute Foundation offers free Korean and Korean culture learning materials worldwide. Offline King Sejong Institutes operate outside Korea, so if you live in Korea, the online platforms are the practical option.
Online King Sejong Institute and Nuri King Sejong Institute
The King Sejong Institute Foundation runs two online platforms with different purposes.
| Platform | Learning Style | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Online King Sejong Institute | Instructor-led, live | Lectures and video classes, assignments, assessments |
| Nuri King Sejong Institute | Self-study | E-books, videos, webtoons and other materials |
Online King Sejong Institute is closer to live, instructor-led learning, while Nuri King Sejong Institute lets you pick materials and study on your own. Choose based on your schedule and learning style.
Course Structure at Online King Sejong Institute
When you sign up for Online King Sejong Institute, you choose a learner or teacher type. Learner courses come in three main formats.
- Lecture format: VOD lectures, video classes, assignments, and assessments
- Assignment format: driven mainly by assignments
- Self-paced format: study at your own pace
Levels run step by step from beginner to advanced (1A to 2B), and there is also a business Korean course. Course guidance is available in up to 23 languages, so it is not hard to get started even if Korean is still new to you.
When You Need to Talk to Someone
If you have questions about life in Korea, you can call the Danuri Call Center (1577-1366). It offers multilingual support and operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
One Thing to Note
Korean classes at Multicultural Family Support Centers are, in principle, for multicultural families. Whether an ordinary international student can enroll may differ by region and center, so if you want to use them, it is best to check directly with the center.