Korean is gaining popularity across Australia, including in Adelaide. Whether planning a trip to South Korea, interested in K-pop or K-dramas, or learning for work, you've plenty of opportunities to study Korean in Adelaide. Here are the best ways to learn Korean, from language centres and schools to tutors and self-study.
| Institution | Levels | Format | Target | Qualifications | Duration | Pricing | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational Language Learning Centre (VLLC) | Beginner to Advanced (Cert. II–IV) | In-person & online, 1:1 & group | Adults, professionals | Cert. II–IV | 5–10 weeks or longer | Tailored; max $1,500 | 167 Flinders St, Adelaide | (08) 8267 1177 |
| School of Languages | R–12, adults | In-person group | Students, adult re-entry | SACE credit | Term-based (weekly) | $125–$1,350/year | Various campuses | (08) 8301 4800 |
| WEA Adult Learning | Beginner | In-person group | Adults, retirees | Participation cert. | 4–8 weeks | $59–$70 | 223 Angas St, Adelaide | (08) 8223 1979 |
| Language Trainers | Beginner to Advanced | Online/in-person, 1:1 & group | Adults, professionals | Informal outcomes | Flexible | $10.50–$51/hr | Various | Via website |
| Listen & Learn | Beginner to Intermediate | Online/in-person, 1:1 & group | Adults, professionals | Certificate | Custom modules | On request | Various | +61 3 8652 1381 |
| University of Adelaide (PACE) | Intro to Year 1 | In-person short course | Adults, professionals | PACE Cert. | 6–10 weeks | $200–$600 | 10 Pulteney St, Adelaide | +61 8 8313 3268 |
Vocational Language Learning Centre
To start, you can go about looking for where and how you can learn Korean. This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are all worth considering when you start thinking about learning the language, including our first location, the Vocational Language Learning Centre (VLLC).
The VLLC has centres in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart, and Darwin and offers courses across a broad range of languages, including Korean.
The Korean language courses are available as online or in-person courses in your local VLLC. The Adelaide branch of VLLC is in Melbourne Street Gardens.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Tailored courses from beginner to vocational proficiency; pathways available for Certificates II, III, IV, and up to vocational fluency in Korean.
- Formats: Flexible mix of in-house group classes and online tutorials; one-on-one tutorials with native speakers.
- Target Demographics: Adults, professionals, multilingual learners, corporate clients
- Qualifications: Accredited certificates (II–IV); social and intermediate proficiency certificates
- Schedule & Start Dates: Rolling enrolments; multiple weekly sessions — open Mon–Thu 9:30 AM–7:30 PM, Fri 10:30 AM–3 PM.
- Duration: Courses range from 5‑10 weeks for introductory levels; longer for higher qualifications.
- Pricing: Tailored packages; maximum prepayment $1,500 per accredited qualification.
Contact Information
- 📍 Address: Level 1, Room 16, 167 Flinders St, Adelaide SA 5000
- 📞 Phone: (08) 8267 1177
- 🌐 Website: vllc.com.au
School of Languages
The School of Languages in Adelaide (South Australia) has been offering language tuition since 1986 and offers classes from Reception to Year 12 as well as courses for international students and adults under the age of 21 (though they will require a Working with Children Check (WWCC)). Korean classes are also available for all ages and levels, and since most major Australian cities have something like this, you can always find Korean classes in Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney from these kinds of institutions.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Beginner to advanced (Year R–12); adult/adult re-entry learners.
- Formats: In-person group classes once weekly during school terms; typically held at Magill Primary School, Adelaide High School, and other campuses.
- Target Demographics: School-aged students (Reception–Year 12), adult learners.
- Qualifications: Language credits toward SACE or equivalent; certificate of study.
- Schedule: One session weekly, during school terms (Feb–Dec).
- Pricing:
- Government-school students: $125 per year (R–10); $150 for SACE Stage 1/2.
- Non-government students: $125–$1,350 depending on level.
Contact Information
- 📍 Magill Primary School (R–6), Adelaide High School (7–12), other sites.
- 📞 (08) 8301 4800
- 🌐 schooloflanguages.sa.edu.au
WEA Adult Learning
The Workers' Educational Association (WEA) of South Australia offers clubs (like rambling, travel, and book clubs) and, more importantly, short courses and language courses.
The WEA offers over 1,200 short courses each year, including a Korean for Fun and Travel course. As the name implies, you'll learn how to ask basic questions, talk about yourself, and socialise. The goal is to get you to use basic Korean and make yourself understood. Since WEA is nationwide, you can find Korean classes in Perth, Sydney, or Melbourne from this or similar institutions.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Absolute Beginner (Fun & Travel); conversational Korean.
- Formats: In-person group classes (e.g., Central WEA, community halls); occasional cultural workshops (e.g. cooking).
- Target Demographics: Adult learners, retirees, travellers.
- Qualifications: Non-accredited; certificate of participation.
- Schedule: Short blocks (4–8 weeks) or single-day workshops; terms in Jan, Apr, Jun, Sep, Nov.
- Pricing: Approx. $60–70 for short courses; single workshops $59.
Contact Information
- 📍 WEA Centre, 223 Angas St, Adelaide SA 5000
- 📞 (08) 8223 1979
- 🌐 wea-sa.com.au
Language Trainers
Language Trainers offers face-to-face and online language lessons. Face-to-face lessons (one-to-one or group) start at $51 an hour, whereas online lessons start at $37.50 per hour. The cheapest option is the online group lesson, which starts at $10.50 per hour. Before you start, it's always a good idea to complete their level test as it'll affect what they can offer you in terms of Korean lessons and tuition.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Beginner to Advanced, including Business Korean.
- Formats: One-on-one, paired tutorials, small groups (max 8); in-person and online.
- Target Demographics: Professionals, adults, serious learners.
- Qualifications: Informal, tailored outcomes.
- Duration/Schedule: Fully flexible to students’ timetables; lessons available any day/weekend.
- Pricing: From $51/hr in-person; $37.50/hr online; group from $10.50/hr.
Contact
- 🌐 languagetrainers.com.au/korean-courses-adelaide.php
Listen & Learn
Listen & Learn, like Language Trainers, is a nationwide language learning company that also offers face-to-face and online language tuition. Through them, you can study General Korean or Business Korean. Again, you'll need to work out your level if you've studied any Korean before. If not, then you'll be an absolute beginner and can start at the very beginning.
All of Listen & Learn's teachers are native speakers and certified to teach, with most teachers also holding university degrees. Listen & Learn is across the country, so you can also look for Korean lessons in Melbourne, Adelaide, or Brisbane, for example.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Beginner to Intermediate; includes Business or General Korean.
- Formats: Face-to-face 1:1 or group, and online sessions across Adelaide.
- Target Demographics: Adults, travellers, professionals.
- Qualifications: Certificate of completion.
- Duration/Schedule: Customised modules or weekly classes; flexible timing.
- Pricing: Quoted on enquiry; free trial lesson often available.
Contact
- 📞 +61 3 8652 1381
- 🌐 listenandlearnaustralia.com.au/korean/adelaide
The University of Adelaide
Through Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Adelaide, you can study short courses such as Introduction to Korean or Korean First Year, for example. Introduction to Korean teaches simple and useful phrases that can be used in many situations as well as basic listening, reading, and speaking skills.
In the Korean First Year course, students will learn how to make basic introductions, ask about personal information, socialise in various situations, make enquiries, express future intentions, and read and write short texts. It's advised that students complete Introduction to Korean first. If you're considering the university route, you can also look into Korean language classes Melbourne at the top universities.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Introductory Korean; potentially "Korean First Year".
- Formats: In-person short courses (possibly with online components).
- Target Demographics: Adult learners, professionals seeking a cultural/language boost.
- Qualifications: PACE course certification; academic credit may be available.
- Duration/Schedule: Typically 6–10 weeks; term-based delivery.
- Pricing: PACE short courses vary—approx. $200–$600 plus materials.
Contact
- 📍 Level 7, 10 Pulteney Street, Adelaide SA 5005
- 📞 +61 8 8313 3268
- 🌐 pace.adelaide.edu.au
Learn Korean with Private Tutors
With any foreign language, including Korean, private tutoring is an excellent way to learn. Since every student is different and prefers to learn in different ways, it's a good idea to tailor lessons and activities to them.
If you struggled with languages at school, it was likely due to being taught using a one-size-fits-all approach. In larger group classes, this can become a problem since there are too many students, which is neither the students nor the teacher's fault. If you work with a private tutor, they can ensure that everything is at your level and all the activities are right for you. They can also make sessions fun. There's no harm in enjoying each session, and we all learn more effectively when we're having fun because we don't even realise that we are learning!
While you might think that private tutors are expensive, there are tutors for every budget, and while the better tutors will naturally charge a premium, to get started with Korean, you won't need the world's most expensive tutor. Generally, the more experience and qualifications a tutor has, the more they'll charge. Similarly, rates for tutors will be affected by supply and demand. If there are a lot of tutors and very few students, you'll pay less for tutors. On the other hand, when all the tutors are busy and a lot of students need tuition, you'll have to pay a premium for your tutors.
Fortunately, with online tutoring, you can find tutors from all over the world, so there's always an ample supply of Korean tutors to help you. You could find Korean classes in Sydney offered online and learn a new language without having to leave Adelaide.
Learn With Superprof Tutors
Tutors on Superprof are remarkably affordable, with most offering the first lesson free, allowing you to check if they're right for you at around $30 per hour.
With multiple tutors on Superprof, you can see which ones are right for you, and with both in-person and online tutoring available, you'll easily find a format that works for you. Superprof tutors will tailor their lessons to your needs. They can help you prepare for exams like TOPIK, a trip to South Korea, or even Korean for professional settings.
Some Adelaide institutions and Superprof tutors can help you prepare for the TOPIK exam, the official Korean language test. It’s useful for work, study, or visa applications in South Korea. Look for tutors with test prep experience and ask if they offer mock exams.
Search for Korean tutors on the Superprof site and start comparing the tutors' rates, experience, and lessons. From there, you can easily book a lesson with your new Korean tutor, whether they're tutoring in Adelaide, offering Korean lessons in Sydney on Superprof, or even an online tutor from South Korea!
Start Learning Korean by Yourself
If you prefer to learn at your own pace and soak up plenty of Korean culture, consider teaching yourself Korean. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for self-taught Korean speakers in Adelaide.
Step 1
Set Your Goal
Decide why you're learning Korean. E.g. travel, culture, career, and set a realistic timeline.
Step 2
Choose Your Resources
Use a mix of apps, textbooks, and Korean YouTube channels or podcasts.
Step 3
Practise Regularly
Join a language exchange, watch Korean dramas with subtitles, and try journaling in Korean.
Korean Cultural Events and Programs
The free annual Korean Cultural Festival in Adelaide features traditional costume workshops, craft stalls, and K-pop dance sessions. It's excellent for listening practice and cultural immersion. Obviously, you can't really learn Korean just through this approach, but when combined with a Korean course here on Superprof, you can enjoy the combined benefits of varied learning approaches. There are also the K-Pop Dance Workshops by the Korean Cultural Centre AU. These periodic free classes at venues like UniSA showcase how dance classes can double as language-listening practice.
Language Exchange Meetups
An excellent and cheap way to learn Korean is by participating in language exchanges. You can either organise these yourself with a Korean speaker or attend language exchanges. For those not familiar with language exchanges, these are meet-ups with a speaker or speakers of your target language who'll help you. In return for their help, you'll offer them help with their English (or another language that you speak and they want to learn).
As a quid pro quo, you usually don't pay anything and can meet with your language exchange partner to help each other. In some cases, these meet-ups will be organised for you, and there may be a fee to attend the events or if you use a language exchange platform, a membership fee to pay before you can contact potential language-learning partners.
Library Circles and Resources
The City of Adelaide Libraries feature Korean books, magazines, audiobooks, and DVDs for different levels. These resources are great for self-study and reading practice.
The Adelaide Language Festival is a big language event with Korean "crash courses". Typically, this event is held at University of Adelaide venues. Adelaide isn't the first or only city in Australia to this kind of thing, so you can also find Korean classes and events in Canberra or online tutors from the ACT.
The State Library of South Australia holds Korean-language resources, including bilingual books and Korean DVDs, and they’re free to borrow with a library card!
Korean Immersion Spots
If you're looking to hear and speak some Korean, go to places where Korean is spoken. The Hongdae in Adelaide Street Party is a great free event in September with Korean street food, performances, and a mini-language clinic.
Chinatown and Moonta Street Precinct, while mostly known for Chinese food, also has Korean eateries and markets where you can practise ordering and everyday phrases.
Cultural Spaces and Bookshops
With Asian supermarkets and grocers, you can look for food and signage in Korean. Similarly, the Asian section in bookshops like Dymocks will feature Korean-language novels and children's books.
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