Best Workbooks for Korean (2026): 4 Picks Compared

“

A learner who has just started Hangul or the first Korean lessons needs one of the best workbooks for Korean that matches that stage, not a general phrasebook. This list is for self-study learners and students who want written practice. We compared four listings by what each one states about its contents, edition, answer keys and level, then added the options that fit the same goal.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Talk To Me in Korean Level 1 by TTMIK	9.7/10	Buy
2	Sogang Korean 1A Workbook by Kim	9.5/10	Buy
3	Hangul Writing Workbook by R.E. Jong	9.5/10	Buy
4	Korean Made Simple Workbook by Go	9.5/10	Buy

1

Talk To Me in Korean Level 1 by TTMIK

TalkToMeInKorean·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A review workbook meant to pair with the Talk To Me In Korean Level 1 lessons, for learners who want written practice.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• The description says it is designed to be used with the TTMIK Level 1 lessons, so review lines up with them
• Lists 13 exercise types across 6 categories, from matching to dictation and translation
• The listing states it is Book 1 of 5, so the series starts here

Cons

• The listing does not state whether an answer key is included
• Published September 9, 2013, and the listing does not say whether a newer edition exists
• The description ties it to the Level 1 lessons, so it is not a standalone course

2

Sogang Korean 1A Workbook by Kim

Song-hee Kim·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 188-page workbook for the first Sogang Korean level, for learners who want a longer printed workbook.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• At 188 pages, it has the longest print length of the four picks
• The title states the level, 1A, so you can check it against your course
• The listing states the publisher, Hawoo Publishing, and an ISBN, so the edition is easy to verify

Cons

• The listing gives no readable description, so contents beyond the page count are not stated
• It is a 2nd edition from January 28, 2009, and the listing does not say whether a newer one exists
• The listing does not state whether an answer key is included

3

Hangul Writing Workbook by R.E. Jong

R.E. Jong Korean·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Hangul writing workbook for beginners, covering consonants, vowels, syllable blocks and short words.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Covers 19 consonants and 21 vowels, with dedicated handwriting pages
• The listing states that answers are included, so learners can check their own work
• Includes 80 vocabulary words with English meanings, plus Native and Sino-Korean numbers

Cons

• The spec table lists 111 pages, but the description says 110 A4-sized pages
• Independently published, and the listing gives no reading age or grade level
• The description centers on writing Hangul, not on listening or speaking practice

4

Korean Made Simple Workbook by Go

Billy Go·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A beginner practice workbook for the Korean Made Simple guide, covering the alphabet, vocabulary, grammar and sound change rules.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Practice follows each chapter of the Korean Made Simple guide
• Covers the Korean alphabet and sound change rules along with vocabulary and grammar
• At 176 pages, it has the second longest print length of the four picks

Cons

• The description calls the workbook optional, since the guide already has practice sections with answer keys
• The listing does not state whether this workbook includes an answer key
• The listing gives a December 11, 2018 publication date and no reading age or grade level

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Integrated Korean Workbook by ParkFor intermediate learners; accompanies the third edition of Integrated Korean Intermediate 1.Check on Amazon
• I Love Korean 1 Workbook by SNUFor absolute beginners using the I Love Korean series, paired with the Student's Book.Check on Amazon
• Reading and Writing Korean by KiaerFor self-study beginners learning Hangeul; the listing states a complete answer key is included.Check on Amazon
• First 100 Sentences by Self-taught KORFor beginners wanting grammar practice; the listing states 100+ optional writing exercises.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the learner, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Two of the four picks state a level, both in the title, and the other two state none. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best workbooks for korean

Start with the level you can name

A workbook that names its level, such as Level 1 or 1A, tells you where it starts. If you already read Hangul, skip the alphabet workbook and look at our beginner Korean workbooks list for other level choices.

Pick a series or a single volume

The Talk To Me In Korean listing states Book 1 of 5, so buy Book 1 first if you plan to continue. The Korean Made Simple workbook is described as optional, so use it alongside the guide it is meant to go with.

Check the alphabet and the edition

If the alphabet is your first goal, the Hangul writing workbook above fits that step, and our Korean alphabet workbooks list covers more choices. For any study book, check the publication date, since the Sogang listing states a 2nd edition from 2009 and does not say whether a newer one exists.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date. The Sogang Korean 1A listing states a 2nd edition published January 28, 2009.
• Check whether an answer key is included. The Hangul writing listing states answers are included, while the Talk To Me In Korean and Korean Made Simple listings state no answer key for the workbook.
• Check the level against your own skill. The Talk To Me In Korean listing names Level 1, and the Sogang listing names 1A.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Korean workbook should a beginner start with?

Start with a workbook whose listed level matches your stage. The Talk To Me In Korean Level 1 workbook names Level 1 and is described as a companion to those lessons, while the Hangul writing workbook suits anyone still learning letters.

Do these Korean workbooks include answer keys?

The Hangul writing listing states that answers are included, and the Reading and Writing Korean listing states a complete answer key. The other listings do not state one for the workbook.

Is the Sogang Korean workbook a current edition?

The listing states a 2nd edition published January 28, 2009. It does not say whether a newer edition exists, so check the publication date before you buy.

Still deciding? Our top pickTalk To Me in Korean Level 1 by TTMIK

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every Homeschool Curriculum list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

More lists: browse Japanese workbooks, Chinese workbooks, French workbooks and German workbooks.

“