If you’re reading this, then you likely:
- Studied for the TOPIK
- Currently are studying for the TOPIK
- Are thinking of studying for the TOPIK
I’m here to ask you to be honest with yourself and write down the top 3 to 5 reasons why you are studying Korean for the TOPIK. Once you do that, ask yourself if the TOPIK will help you achieve those goals that you just wrote.
For those of you who don’t know what the TOPIK is, it’s the Test of Proficiency In Korean. The test is designed and administered by the NIIED (National Institute for International Education) and given 4 times a year. It is used as a gauge of how well you know Korean and is often required to work at a Korean company or to attend a university in Korea.
This video shows Should I take the TOPIK Korean Proficiency Test?
Oftentimes, people choose to study Korean for the TOPIK exam to have a goal to shoot for while studying Korean. It’s a good goal because it will help you develop your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The vocabulary necessary also gives a solid base, especially if you know how to memorize words well. Also, the certification can be a benefit if you have a use for it.
However, other times people just choose to study Korean for the TOPIK as an arbitrary goal. Studying for the TOPIK can be detrimental to your Korean study since it can be demotivating to not be moving toward your goal. For example, your goal might be to be able to hold a conversation with a new Korean friend for at least 10 minutes. If that’s the case, then the TOPIK is not going to match up with that goal. There is no speaking component in the TOPIK, so you won’t get any speaking practice. On top of that, you’ve invested a significant amount of effort into writing, which you may not use. If all you’re trying to do is impress your Korean friends, then it definitely isn’t worth it. There are much better ways to learn the language.
There is also a great deal of vocabulary and grammar that you likely won’t use in the 10-minute conversation scenario. Instead of investing additional resources into learning those essential items for the test, you can use that time more wisely. Maybe you’ll want to extend to a 20-minute conversation, learn some Korean slang, or start up in another language.
No matter what point you are at in your TOPIK Korean study, now’s a good time to take a breather and decide if this is the route you want to be taking. Maybe it’ll help reinforce your reasons for why you are studying, and give you additional motivation. Or on the flip side, you may decide that it’s time to stop studying Korean for the TOPIK. There are other books and programs out there to help you achieve your language goals, especially in Korea, so take a look and evaluate them. You may find that your goal is closer than you think!
What are your reasons for studying for the TOPIK? Feel free to leave a comment below, we’d love to hear from you!
I would like to start my graduate degree in SNU/Korea University/ Yonsei University. However, they all demand that a Business Adminisation major student should have at least a TOPIK level 6. I still have 1 year or so to apply so I’m trying to study for the TOPIK. I don’t know if a year is enough because I only know how to write and read in korean. But I will try my best as it is a dream for me to study at one of those universities. Do you think I can make it?
Sure, Samia! It depends on how hard and how much time you spend studying Korean this year! ^^
I want to go for job in korea as an architect and for that i really need to learn korean. TOPIK is important for me as well. so i really want to know about the course that you are offering and i am interested in joining it.
Hi, Vrinda! Please check our web courses! It comes with a private coach, too! ^^ (https://www.90daykorean.com/koreanlessons/)
I’m married to a Korean and there are times it is difficult to understand each other and need to use an application to know what he is talking about. And I want to talk to 어머님 and 아버지 🙂 and it’s the only way so I can follow him in Korea
Hi, Maby! You should definitely learn Korean to be independent and to be free in Korea. Hope you’re having a happy life in Korea! ^^
First of all I like Korea a lot.
Liking to the extent that I now want to go for higher studies stand on my own. And it is a well known fact that korean Universities are fierce competitors.I would like to experience and broaden my knowledge if i am given the opportunity And of course k drama and kpop are one big reasons.
Great reasons Tina! ^^
I am watching k dramas..i was very interested in learning your language
화이팅 Praveen! ^^