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KLEAR: Integrated Korean #1
Integrated Korean: Beginning 1
This is a thoroughly revised edition of Integrated Korean: Beginning 1, the first volume of the best-selling series developed collaboratively by leading classroom teachers and linguists of Korean. All series' volumes have been developed in accordance with performance-based principles and methodology--contextualization, learner-centeredness, use of authentic materials, usage-orientedness, balance between skill getting and skill using, and integration of speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. Grammar points are systematically introduced in simple but adequate explanations and abundant examples and exercises.
Each situation/topic-based lesson of the main texts consists of model dialogues, narration, new words and expressions, vocabulary notes, culture, grammar, usage, and English translation of dialogues. In response to comments from hundreds of students and instructors of the first edition, this new edition features a more attractive two-color design with all new photos and drawings and an additional lesson and vocabulary exercises. Lessons are now organized into two main sections, each containing a conversational text (with its own vocabulary list) and a reading passage. The accompanying workbook, newly written, provides students with extensive skill-using activities based on the skills learned in the main text.
Audio files for this volume may be downloaded on the web in MP3 format at http: //www.kleartextbook.com. A set of CDs is also available for purchase.
Each situation/topic-based lesson of the main texts consists of model dialogues, narration, new words and expressions, vocabulary notes, culture, grammar, usage, and English translation of dialogues. In response to comments from hundreds of students and instructors of the first edition, this new edition features a more attractive two-color design with all new photos and drawings and an additional lesson and vocabulary exercises. Lessons are now organized into two main sections, each containing a conversational text (with its own vocabulary list) and a reading passage. The accompanying workbook, newly written, provides students with extensive skill-using activities based on the skills learned in the main text.
Audio files for this volume may be downloaded on the web in MP3 format at http: //www.kleartextbook.com. A set of CDs is also available for purchase.
232 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2009
140 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 7, 2020
Cursus 3 af, op naar het volgende tekstboek
January 8, 2017
Definitely one of the best Korean textbooks out there. I know a lot of people complain about the price, but because it's so commonly used in university courses, it's not that hard to find a used copy for under $10. (Amazon is your best friend!).
The explanations were very clear. Don't be deterred by the fact that some of the grammar lessons are extremely short, this is actually a good thing. Integrated Korean explained verb conjugation in 2 lines, but did a much better job at it than any of my other textbooks.
Each chapter also has reading passages to help introduce you to the grammar points that will be covered in the chapter. When something new shows up in the conversation/reading passage, the authors put a little note so that you know which section it's taught under. I really appreciated it because as someone who's not quite a beginner, it allowed me to filter out the sections I didn't need.
I only have two complaints:
1) The book doesn't have enough practice exercises. I know that the authors want us to purchase the workbook as well, but I haven't been able to find an affordable copy. It's pretty difficult to find Korean worksheets online, so the only way to practice is to write and then get feedback from native speakers.
2) The lack of audio files. While I'm aware that there are some audio files on the official website, they don't have them for all the chapters/activities. This is pretty disappointing because listening is very critical for both comprehension and to help improve pronunciation.
The explanations were very clear. Don't be deterred by the fact that some of the grammar lessons are extremely short, this is actually a good thing. Integrated Korean explained verb conjugation in 2 lines, but did a much better job at it than any of my other textbooks.
Each chapter also has reading passages to help introduce you to the grammar points that will be covered in the chapter. When something new shows up in the conversation/reading passage, the authors put a little note so that you know which section it's taught under. I really appreciated it because as someone who's not quite a beginner, it allowed me to filter out the sections I didn't need.
I only have two complaints:
1) The book doesn't have enough practice exercises. I know that the authors want us to purchase the workbook as well, but I haven't been able to find an affordable copy. It's pretty difficult to find Korean worksheets online, so the only way to practice is to write and then get feedback from native speakers.
2) The lack of audio files. While I'm aware that there are some audio files on the official website, they don't have them for all the chapters/activities. This is pretty disappointing because listening is very critical for both comprehension and to help improve pronunciation.
December 19, 2019
I first bought this to try and teach myself Korean. It's useless for that purpose. It was then the textbook for a Korean class I started. Unfortunately, it is really a university level intensive textbook and isn't suitable for an evening class hobby learner so I had to top up a lot of the learning with YouTube videos and Korean From Zero.
It's really not a good book.
It's really not a good book.
August 23, 2023
3.5/5 actually.
What I liked: the book has good vocabulary and grammar points. The situations and conversations in the book are useful and I liked the narrations at the end of the chapters.
What I didn’t like: the student book didn’t have the answer key to the exercises in it also the workbook didn’t have an answer key although there is an answer key on the website associated with the books but for newer editions than the one I have.
What I liked: the book has good vocabulary and grammar points. The situations and conversations in the book are useful and I liked the narrations at the end of the chapters.
What I didn’t like: the student book didn’t have the answer key to the exercises in it also the workbook didn’t have an answer key although there is an answer key on the website associated with the books but for newer editions than the one I have.
January 2, 2022
Was my textbook for class. Really good flow of material. Each chapter introduces vocab, some grammar, and includes reading practice. Worked great!
April 23, 2011
This is my first Korean textbook and I love it! It has 8 units and each unit has 2 conversations, a narration, usage example of the lessons learned in the unit, and a piece on Korean culture snipplet. The audio files are provided in KLEAR website.
The Grammar Points and Vocabulary
I have no complain against the grammar taught in this book. At my beginner level, I'd just welcome any points taught and be happy to be able to create more simple sentences throughout the lessons. Since it's a college textbook, the vocabulary revolves around campus life and it's perfectly ok with me.
I love it that they only use romanization at some parts in the introduction. I'm not a big fan of romanization. It surely helps at certain point, like when the first time learning 한글, or when we communicate with those who are not learning Korean (btw, 한글 is Hangul, the Korean writing system), or when the tools are not capable for writing in 한글.
For Korean learning textbooks and dictionary, I prefer romanization served at minimum or almost zero rate. That's why I prefer Collin's gem dictionary instead of Berlitz. Thanks to Febry, the dictionary is on the way, yay!
The Exercises
The book does not have the answer key and I read that even the workbook of this KLEAR series don't have the answer key provided. The exercises tend to be short in number and some are only applicable in a classroom or with partners (not quite suitable for a self learner like me). Despite all that, I'm grateful to have those exercises.
Other Parts
I love the introduction, the objectives list, and the closing part of the book. My favorite part of the introduction is the pronunciation rules. It's the part where I always keep running to whenever I hear different from the sound I am expecting to catch on my ears. I mark this part with post-it.
The objectives list provide us the summary of each unit, which grammar points at which part, what culture snipplet and what kind of usage. Needless to say, it's one helpful list for ㅁ reference. As the new grammar rules come, I use this list a lot.
The last few pages in this book consist of appendices, grammar index, and the glossary. More references which if I knew about it sooner, it would make my studying time more efficient. I even left out the glossary until I reached Unit 8, the last unit. Before that, I kept turning the previous pages to find what certain word meant and it happened like thousand times! *sigh*
The glossary is Korean-English, and vice versa. The Korean-English one can be useful to learn the 한글 alphabet order. I'm so gonna use this one for my next books of this series! (Hope the books will arrive safely next week, cross my fingers xD)
이 책을 정말 좋아해요. 여러분, 한국어 재미있지요? ^^
The Grammar Points and Vocabulary
I have no complain against the grammar taught in this book. At my beginner level, I'd just welcome any points taught and be happy to be able to create more simple sentences throughout the lessons. Since it's a college textbook, the vocabulary revolves around campus life and it's perfectly ok with me.
I love it that they only use romanization at some parts in the introduction. I'm not a big fan of romanization. It surely helps at certain point, like when the first time learning 한글, or when we communicate with those who are not learning Korean (btw, 한글 is Hangul, the Korean writing system), or when the tools are not capable for writing in 한글.
For Korean learning textbooks and dictionary, I prefer romanization served at minimum or almost zero rate. That's why I prefer Collin's gem dictionary instead of Berlitz. Thanks to Febry, the dictionary is on the way, yay!
The Exercises
The book does not have the answer key and I read that even the workbook of this KLEAR series don't have the answer key provided. The exercises tend to be short in number and some are only applicable in a classroom or with partners (not quite suitable for a self learner like me). Despite all that, I'm grateful to have those exercises.
Other Parts
I love the introduction, the objectives list, and the closing part of the book. My favorite part of the introduction is the pronunciation rules. It's the part where I always keep running to whenever I hear different from the sound I am expecting to catch on my ears. I mark this part with post-it.
The objectives list provide us the summary of each unit, which grammar points at which part, what culture snipplet and what kind of usage. Needless to say, it's one helpful list for ㅁ reference. As the new grammar rules come, I use this list a lot.
The last few pages in this book consist of appendices, grammar index, and the glossary. More references which if I knew about it sooner, it would make my studying time more efficient. I even left out the glossary until I reached Unit 8, the last unit. Before that, I kept turning the previous pages to find what certain word meant and it happened like thousand times! *sigh*
The glossary is Korean-English, and vice versa. The Korean-English one can be useful to learn the 한글 alphabet order. I'm so gonna use this one for my next books of this series! (Hope the books will arrive safely next week, cross my fingers xD)
이 책을 정말 좋아해요. 여러분, 한국어 재미있지요? ^^
March 20, 2015
Even though this is the second edition there are still no answer keys. Which makes me think that The University of Hawaii has no intentions of ever making one available. In that regard if you are a self learner like myself I don't think the hefty price tag of this book and is accompanying workbook are worth it. However, if you can buy it used or at a discount then get it.
The vocab is useful as are the Narrations and Dialogues. On the website you can listen to the Dialogues and the Vocab for each chapter as well. The Grammar explanations are in English and short and to the point. I will be getting the Integrated Korean Beginning 2 but it will be a textbook rental and I will not be getting the Work books which run up to 30 dollars and are useless for self learners.
The vocab is useful as are the Narrations and Dialogues. On the website you can listen to the Dialogues and the Vocab for each chapter as well. The Grammar explanations are in English and short and to the point. I will be getting the Integrated Korean Beginning 2 but it will be a textbook rental and I will not be getting the Work books which run up to 30 dollars and are useless for self learners.
May 10, 2016
This is probably the best introductory Korean textbook I've used. Excellent grammar lessons and outstanding online support with audio tracks to listen to the dialogue, narration and vocabulary. Some minor frustrations; occasionally new vocabulary is introduced in the exercises that is not listed in the new vocabulary section and some of those words are notably absent from the dictionary. It would also be helpful if the dictionary was cross-referenced to the lessons where the words were introduced. All that said, this text is well structured and thought out.
September 2, 2014
This is by far one of the best Korean learning books. The lessons are well organized and include dialogues, vocabulary, grammar points, exercises, culture information, and narrations. It can be used simultaneously with the corresponding workbook and audio is provided of the KLEAR Textbook website. The downside, is that there are no answers provided for self-learners, so it might help to have some Korean speaking friends or an online source that can help you check your answers.
April 10, 2022
This publication was quite useful since it provided fundamental knowledge of Korean. In terms of organization, it was well-structured and well-presented. Overall, I think it was most suitable with anyone interested in the reading, grammar, or vocabulary. I think the communication part (listening or speaking) seem not really strong in this publication by Young Mee Cho. I found this publication applicable for most people for its convenience.
July 26, 2013
i want to read
April 27, 2014
Great Revised 2nd Edition of one of the most excellent KOrean Langauge textbooks available in north america
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews