Lessons delivered online and in the Twin Cities Area
Lessons delivered online and in the Twin Cities Area
I am a native Korean who was born in and grew up in Seoul. I moved to the Twin Cities and started teaching private and small-group Korean lessons.
I studied Korean language instruction at Kyunghee University and taught at Berlitz and St. Olaf University. I have helped a lot of people learn the language here in America through an immersion style format – it is very effective to learn how to truly speak and communicate with others.
Do you want to learn the fastest way to actually be able to communicate in the target language? Well, that’s my goal, so I use an immersion-style format for classes! While learning from books and spending a lot of time on grammar helps one “learn” something about the target language and you might be able to pass some tests when it comes time to actual speaking with real-life people, most students that have used those traditional methods simply freeze up. Not only does nothing come out of your mouth clearly, but it is hard to even understand what is coming out of the other person’s mouth too!
Learning a language or any skill or art requires real-life experience and practice. There is no way for one’s brain to go through a “translation” process at the same time you need to listen and respond back in a timely way. Just like children don’t learn language through books, the immersion method will get you comfortable learning and actually speaking from day 1. Over time, as you build vocabulary and language structures, you will feel naturally at ease with using Korean because of the immersion methods (along with supplemental materials). You will also have tons of real experience to draw from which helps break away from the book learning freeze when it comes to your real interactions with real-life Korean speakers.
Depending on your level, I try to move close to an 80-90% use of Korean during the lesson. As you get going and used to this format, we can probably use Korean for almost everything and you will be learning in leaps and bounds! Please don’t be intimidated by this though, as I make classes fun and engaging so that you will pick up the needed meaning and structures in ways that will sink in for your long-term use.
I also have a number of supplemental materials and pictures for use during class, along with materials for you to practice in your time away from class too..
“As a former student I can’t recommend Ms. Sirny enough!!”new people, and have a more authentic travel experience.
“Heeyeon’s classes are the closest to immersion you can get in the Twin-Cities."
“I am Korean but did not speak the language growing up and being able to learn it as an adult has completely changed my life for the better. Our lessons are full of joy and laughter and have helped me to understand my own culture so much better.”
Please reach us at if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Online and in-person lessons are both available. Online lessons are available regardless of where you reside. In-person lessons are held in South Minneapolis.
In cases where meeting in-person is not possible for you on a given day, you can contact me before the lesson and we can meet online instead. This is an especially common occurrence for me on days where the weather does not permit. This is Minnesota after all! :)
Lesson scheduling is relatively flexible so we can schedule a time that fits your schedule. If you provide me with times you are available, I will do my best to schedule the lessons.
Private lessons allow me to focus on a student‘s personal interests. During lessons, everything is matched to the student’s learning pace. I believe this is the best way to emerge yourself in a new language and culture.
Group lessons are usually for families and friends. Korean lessons are a great way to do fun activities with your family and friends.
They are not difficult at all! In fact, more visual aides and examples provided means that you are able gain a deeper understanding of the language, so lessons are more fun and move rather more quickly!
My students are always thrilled and excited by the fact that they can use Korean for the majority of the lesson.
Our goal is not thinking in English then translating those thoughts into Korean — no! Our goal for you is thinking in Korean then speaking in Korean. At first, the language we use might be very simple and consist of short, basic sentences, but within no time you will find yourself having a conversation with me in Korean about your daily life, such as what you did last week, what you will do this week, which drama you watched recently, and more!
Of course all levels are available.
From complete beginner, intermediate, advanced, to those studying for a Korean test —lessons are available for all.
I will teach you with a custom program that helps you no matter what experience you have or don’t have in the Korean language.
Oftentimes, I have students who request lessons after they have already spent time studying the language on their own. For these students, I often dedicate specific time for improving their pronunciation and intonation. Learning accurate pronunciation and receiving feedback from a native speaker while practicing the language will be an important first step in these students’ Korean studies.
Unlike many other languages, Korean has informal language, formal language, honorific language and so on. Therefore, depending on the situation and your relationship with an individual, the language you use will change.
As a Korean language learner, it is important you know which language is permissible and appropriate to use in any given situation. My approach will provide you with real insight that you can’t find in textbooks.
Students usually take 1-hour classes once or twice a week.
Students who are preparing for a Korean test or life in Korea usually take lessons two or three times per week.
In South Korea you can find everything from historical sites and picturesque nature, to concerts, famous restaurants and never-ending shopping venues. Firearms are illegal so public safety is also exceptionally good. If you are interested in dramas and movies, you can even visit places that appear in those dramas and movies and eat the same food that the actors ate in your favorite scenes. If you would like to visit Korea, a great first step to preparing for your trip is learning Korean.
Hangeul (the Korean alphabet) is very easy to learn. It takes around 5 hours of lessons at most for my students to master Hangeul. Once you learn Hangeul, you will be able to read and pronounce any Korean words which will allow you to read any signs such as those commonly found in buses, trains, and stores. After learning Hangeul, we will begin practicing basic Korean phrases and it won’t be long before you can order food and shop in Korean!
If you want to bring Korean culture into your life, studying the Korean language is a great way to begin that journey. Language is a key part of a culture so by learning Korean, you can know what differences exist between your culture and Korean culture and be able to understand Koreans at a deeper level.
A favorite quote of mine is a quote by Nelson Mandela which goes “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” By learning about another culture, you will be making aspects of your own life more rich and exciting.
Many students are learning Korean because they are interested in these aspects of Korean culture.
These students goal is watching K-dramas or Korean YouTube videos without English subtitles or reading Korean webtoons and gaining a strong command of the Korean language. Enjoying Korean culture will actually be the biggest motivational factor for making sure you keep up with your Korean studies. Many students are making language learning goals based on their interests in Korean culture.
Interest in Korean culture often leads to interest in living in Korea. If you are thinking of going to school or working in Korea, I hope you will first consider studying the Korean language. As your Korean improves, you will become more confident in your decision of going to Korea. Seeing my students achieve their dream of moving to Korea is always very rewarding for me and brings me great joy!
Please let me know if you would like to drop by and discuss starting Korean lessons
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
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