[★6 ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ' ᴛᴇᴀᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ] REAL Practical Korean conversational/communication skills Tutor Like a Friend

Find out more about Dana

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I'm a native Korean speaker, born and raised in South Korea. While Korean has always been my first language, teaching it has given me a whole new appreciation for its beauty and complexity. Every lesson reminds me how fascinating the language is, even to someone who has spoken it all my life.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  I would choose King Sejong the Great. He created Hangul, the Korean alphabet, with the goal of making reading and writing accessible to everyone. It's one of the most logical writing systems in the world, and his legacy continues to shape Korean language and culture today.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  One of my favourite Korean words is 정 (jeong). It describes the deep sense of warmth, care and connection that develops between people over time. There isn't a perfect English translation, which is exactly why I love it—it reflects something uniquely Korean.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Language is more than communication—it's a way to connect with people and understand a culture. I love helping students reach moments they once thought were impossible, whether that's reading Hangul for the first time, understanding a K-drama without subtitles, or confidently ordering food in Korea.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Many beginners feel overwhelmed because Korean looks so different from English. The biggest challenge isn't ability—it's confidence. With a clear learning path, practical expressions, and regular speaking practice, students usually progress much faster than they expect.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  After moving to New Zealand, I experienced what it feels like to communicate in a second language every day. Even after years of studying English, there were moments when I couldn't express exactly what I wanted to say. That experience completely changed the way I teach. It reminds me to be patient, encouraging, and to create a classroom where students feel comfortable making mistakes.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Living abroad has helped me understand how people from different cultures learn languages. It has also taught me how to explain Korean from an English speaker's perspective, making my lessons clearer and more relatable for international students.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I specialise in helping complete beginners build a strong foundation and start speaking Korean with confidence from the very first lesson. My teaching style is structured, practical and focused on real-life communication rather than memorising grammar rules without context.
  
  Alongside my private lessons, I create educational Korean content for learners around the world. Through my lessons and online content, I’ve built an international community of over 190,000 learners across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. This experience has helped me understand the questions beginners commonly have and explain Korean in a clear and approachable way.