LTL Language School | Learn Korean in Korea

Hey Korean Language Learners! I originally spent 3 weeks at LTL Shanghai learning Mandarin, and had such a good experience that I decided to return to LTL, but this time in Seoul to improve my Korean. LTL Shanghai included not only classes, but a fun community of fellow students, as well as some fun activities in the evening organized by the school. This is more or less also what I expected when I signed up for another 3 week stay at LTL Seoul, but my actual experience so far has vastly exceeded my expectations. As I’ve only had classes with one teacher, I can only speak to my experience with 다영 선생님, who makes class fun and full of laughter, but also ensures that she both challenges and supports us students when it comes to both comprehension and oral expression. Class often passes by very quickly, as there’s been a high emphasis on speaking, as opposed to the teacher simply lecturing us about the language for 4 hours. Speaking from my experience both in Shanghai and Seoul, your fellow students also tend to be very motivated, as they’re spending their time and hard earned money to make as much progress as possible in the limited time they have at school. While the academic portion so far has been very enjoyable and effective (in 2 short weeks I’ve already seen visible progress on my goal to read Korean at a quicker, more natural pace and increase my practical vocabulary), where LTL Seoul shines the brightest is the staff, which I feel are the heart and soul of the academy. Hailee, Manuel, Sebastian, and Violet have done, and continue to do, such an amazing job welcoming us and fostering an incredible experience for all the students. Before even arriving in Seoul, Violet would respond to various questions I had about the academic program, learning materials, and even helped to sort out accommodations (which I don’t think is even part of her responsibilities). Once I arrived in Seoul, Manuel was in constant contact with me, making sure that I knew how to get to my accommodation without getting lost, and also ensured that everything at the accommodation was prepared properly. Shortly after settling into my 고시원 (a kind of low rent, single occupancy room), Violet and Hailee took myself and other students out for a picnic on the Han River. I had been in Seoul not even 3 hours and I was already getting a nice local experience with fellow students that I probably would never have considered doing on my own. Hailee not only helped to organize events and accompany students to them while the school was looking for a new Culture Specialist. And finally, when Sebastian (the new Culture Specialist) arrived, he hit the ground running with organizing a karaoke event, getting to know the students, and planning further events according to the interests of the students. I went to LTL Seoul expecting to have a nice time while improving my Korean a bit, but I never really thought I would seriously consider returning anytime soon. Now I’m looking at my schedule and trying to figure out if another trip this year is possible, or if I’ll have to wait until next year. In either case, I look forward to returning to LTL Seoul very soon!

I have been studying at LTL Seoul for a long time now (over 4 months now and counting) and it has truly become one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. And I still have two months left! When I first came here, I was both excited and nervous. Starting a new language in a different country is never easy, especially considering I’m above the average age of a typical student! However, from the very beginning, I felt welcomed and supported by everyone around me including the team, the teachers and my fellow students. One of the best parts of this experience has been the friendships I made. I met so many international people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. German, fellow Americans, British, Dutch, German, Italian. LTL has every nationality you can imagine. Even though we all spoke different native languages, we shared the same goal. Learning Korean and understanding Korean culture more deeply. Through studying together, practicing conversations, and truggling with difficult grammar, we became close friends. These friendships mean so much to me, and I believe they will last for a long time. I’ve also enjoyed taking salsa dance lessons whilst in Seoul and making friends through that too. It’s also another place to practice my Korean! Korean can be quite difficult. The pronunciation, grammar structure, and honorific expressions require a lot of patience and practice. Sometimes I felt that memorizing vocabulary and understanding new concepts was not easy. There were moments when I doubted myself and wondered if I could really improve. But I kept reminding myself that learning has no age limit. I am still learning, still making mistakes, and still growing every day. The teachers at LTL Seoul are truly wonderful. They are patient, kind, and professional. They always encourage us, no matter our level. They explain difficult points clearly and create a comfortable atmosphere in class so that we are not afraid to speak. Because of them, I gained confidence and motivation to continue studying. Their support made a huge difference in my journey. I studied with a few teachers including Jennifer, Yunjeong, Jeehyun and Minji. I also love how LTL Korea allows us to experience the culture and the language in tandem. Through various activities and conversations, I learned more about Korean traditions, daily life, and social manners. It helped me understand Korea in a deeper and more personal way. We’ve done so many things like travel the city, partake in kimchi or mandu (dumpling) making, played Korean games, gone to Korean restaurants etc. The staff also take students to lunch every week which is a great plus especially when you are new and unfamiliar with the language and what to eat! I really like it here and will definitely come back again. This place is more than just a school; it feels like a second home to me. Special thanks to Manuel, Max, Hailee, Lio, and Violet for the laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories. And my deepest gratitude to my teachers for their dedication and warm hearts. You all made this experience truly special, and I will always cherish the time I spent here forever.

I studied at LTL Korean Language School for about 77 days, starting Korean from absolute beginner level and progressing to elementary level, and I had a genuinely great experience. I learned so much that I didn’t know beforehand, and the teaching style made Korean feel approachable and practical from day one. The environment was relaxed, supportive, and motivating, which made it easy to stay consistent and enjoy learning. What really stood out was the staff and community. The team didn’t just teach — they truly cared about the students. They organized school activities, took us out to eat together, and created chances to connect and practice Korean outside the classroom. Huge thanks to Hailey, Lio, Manuel, 현영, and especially my teacher 고민시 — everyone was incredibly kind, patient, and helpful throughout my time there. If you’re serious about learning Korean and want a school that feels welcoming, engaging, and well-organized, I highly recommend LTL.