The Korean language and culture are thriving in Melbourne. With K-pop concerts packing stadiums, K-dramas topping the streaming charts, and growing business ties between Australia and Korea, more people than ever are embracing the Korean language, particularly in Melbourne. Whether for travel, work, or cultural reasons, here are some of the best ways to learn Korean in Melbourne, from Korean schools to tutors, language exchanges, and self-study methods.
My Korean School
You can start looking for how and where to begin. Fortunately, there are a few places in Melbourne where anyone interested in learning Korean can find opportunities. Our first, My Korean School in the CBD of Melbourne, offers a broad range of Korean courses, as well as Korean cultural activities, including art exhibitions, film screenings, culinary events, and taekwondo and K-pop dance classes. As for the language classes, they're offered for levels from beginner to upper intermediate. The courses typically cost between $250 and $700, depending on their length, level, and teaching approach.
For those with some free time and an interest in learning Korean, there are intensive beginner courses that can be completed in three weeks. These are hybrid courses, which means that they're taught both face-to-face and online. This course is designed for individuals who have never studied Korean before. My Korean School also offers private lessons for students wanting to learn one-on-one. This is a great idea if you're learning Korean for work, for example, as what you need to learn will be specific to your field and your role. Of course, if your work takes you away from Melbourne, you can always look for Korean classes in Sydney or anywhere else in Australia.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Beginner to Upper-Intermediate, including intensive beginner courses.
- Formats: Face-to-face (CBD), live online (Zoom) hybrid options; private lessons also available.
- Target Demographics: Adults, cultural enthusiasts, professionals, students
- Qualifications: Certificate of completion available (non-accredited)
- Schedule: Regular monthly classes; Intensive beginner course covers full program in ~3 weeks.
- Duration: Varies—standard classes run 8–10 weeks; intensive approx. 3 weeks
- Pricing: Standard classes $406; early bird registration 10% off ($365)
- Discounts: 10% early-bird; refer-a-friend $30 credit
Contact Information
- 📍 CBD Melbourne (Suite 107/365 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000)
- ☎️ Enquiries via Instagram/Facebook; first free consultation offered
- 🌐 mykoreanschool.com
Many Korean schools in Melbourne offer 10% off if you register early. Always check the enrolment deadlines.
CAE
CAE offers elementary Korean courses (there are two different levels) across 8, 10, or 12 classes, depending on the course and the level. The classes cost between $329 and $399, with classes on weekday evenings starting at 5:30 pm or 6:30 pm.
In the Korean: Elementary 1 course, students will learn Korean greetings, simple conversation, expressions for ordering food and drinks, how to tell the time in Korean, and the Korean alphabet. This course is designed for individuals with no prior experience in Korean.
Korean: Elementary 2 follows on from the previous course. Students can start with this level, but they'll need a level test from CAE to ensure the course is suitable for them and their level. You need about 20 hours of study before this course is right for you. In the second course, you can learn how to count money, use key verbs for activities, describe your favourite food, and how to behave when dining with Korean people. If you can't make it to classes at these times, you might want to consider Korean lessons online here on Superprof.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Elementary 1 (absolute beginner); Elementary 2 (post-level test required).
- Formats: In-person group classes in CBD locations; skill assessments offered.
- Target Demographics: Adults balancing work or study with evening classes
- Qualifications: Certificate of completion available; uses Sogang Korean textbooks
- Schedule: 8 weekly classes; upcoming sessions:
- Tue 17 Jun–5 Aug, 6–8 PM
- Mon 21 Jul–8 Sep, 6–8 PM
- Wed 13 Aug–1 Oct, 6–8 PM
- Pricing: Full $399 / concession $379
- Course Materials: Sogang Korean 1A textbook/workbook kit required
Contact Information
- 📍 CBD (e.g., 253 Flinders Lane and Degraves Street)
- ✉ languages@cae.edu.au (general)
- 🌐 cae.edu.au
Korean speakers worldwide
The University of Melbourne
If you're serious about learning Korean, then you could always study it as part of a degree. The University of Melbourne offers degree programmes in Korean Studies that cover the Korean language, culture, and society. This is an option for those serious about Korean, though, as it'll be several years of study either full-time or part-time and if you're looking to do a degree or major in Korean, then you could also broaden your search to universities beyond Melbourne and look to Korean classes in Brisbane, for example.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Korean Studies courses at undergraduate level ranging from beginner to advanced.
- Formats: In-person degree units (some may offer online components).
- Target Demographics: Full-time/part-time students pursuing degrees or majors.
- Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts with Korean Studies major or elective study options.
- Duration: Semester-based (12 weeks); standard university calendar.
- Pricing: Standard uni fees apply (see university site).
Contact Info
- 📍 Parkville, VIC 3010
- ☎️ +61 3 9035 5511 (Arts Faculty Enquiries)
- 🌐 unimelb.edu.au
Korean Language School of Melbourne
The Korean Language School of Melbourne (KLSM) is a not-for-profit language program at Wesley College in St Kilda Road. There are Korean classes available for a wide range of ages, including children, teenagers, and adults, with lessons that focus on cultural appreciation and community engagement.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Beginner to Intermediate (Adults); Preschool to High School (Children & Teens)
- Formats: In-person group classes (weekends only)
- Target Demographics: Korean-Australian heritage learners, international students, general community members
- Qualifications: End-of-term reports; informal cultural certificates; Korean language competitions
- Schedule: Saturdays during school terms (typically 10-week terms)
- Duration: 1–2 hours per session, depending on age group and level
- Pricing:
- Adults: Approx. $250–$350 per term
- Children: Varies by level and materials; family discounts may apply
Contact Information
- 📍 Wesley College, 577 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
- 📧 Email: admin@klsm.org.au
- 🌐 klsm.org.au
Listen & Learn Australia (Melbourne)
Listen & Learn offers language courses in various major Australian cities, including Korean classes in Canberra, Perth, and, of course, Melbourne. With native-speaking tutors offering in-person and online classes, you can learn practical communication skills for travellers, professionals, and language enthusiasts.
Course Details
- Levels Offered: Beginner to Intermediate
- Formats: Flexible delivery via in-person (various Melbourne locations) and online sessions
- Target Demographics: Adults and working professionals
- Qualifications: Certificate of completion issued
- Schedule: Tailored courses to fit learners’ needs — contact for current timetables
- Duration: Options include short intensive modules or regular weekly classes
- Pricing: Available upon request (phone enquiry required)
Contact Information
- 📞 +61 3 8652 1381
- 🌐 listenandlearnaustralia.com.au/korean/melbourne
Choosing the Right Korean Course
Step 1
Identify Your Goals
Decide whether you're learning for travel, work, or cultural interest.
Step 2
Set Your Budget and Availability
Consider how much time and money you can invest.
Step 3
Choose Your Format
Compare private tutors, group classes, or self-paced learning.
Private Korean Tutors in Melbourne
Outside of Korean classes, you could also look for private tutors to help you learn Korean. If you're looking for lessons that are tailored and adapted to you, working with a private tutor is a great idea. As private tutors work with individual students or small groups, they'll ensure that every lesson is suitable for your level and ability while also choosing activities that you'll enjoy. After all, we learn far more effectively when we're enjoying ourselves.
Private tutors are also great for different budgets. You're likely to be able to find someone suitable no matter your budget. Just keep in mind that you always get what you pay for, so don't expect the world from a budget tutor. Generally, less experienced or less expert tutors tend to be cheaper. This is a good idea if you want to see if Korean is right for you without incurring a significant expense. For serious students with a budget, you can find experienced and qualified private tutors, too.
Fortunately, you can shop around, and you may even find the perfect tutor charging excellent rates. After all, what's right for one person isn't necessarily right for another. For a lot of tutors, you can pay class by class and won't necessarily be stuck paying for lessons for several weeks, so if you feel that a tutor isn't working, you can always change to another one.
Learn Korean with Private Tutors on Superprof
As one of the most trusted tutoring platforms in Australia, you can look for a Korean tutor in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, or Melbourne, right here on the Superprof site. Since tutors set their own rates, you'll find options for every budget, with many offering the first class for free. There is a wide choice of different types of tutors from diverse backgrounds, including university-trained tutors, native speakers, bilingual professionals, and experienced language instructors.
Since you can take classes in person in and around Melbourne or online via Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype, you can get lessons where and when suits you. With every tutor tailoring their sessions to their students, you'll find yourself learning Korean more quickly than you would with a generic Korean class. Search for Korean tutors on Superprof today and start browsing tutor profiles, reading reviews, messaging tutors, and booking your lessons.
Learn Korean by Yourself
Finally, you can always teach yourself Korean. In the digital age, there are plenty of resources online that you can use to learn Korean and many of them are also free.
Events and Conversation Circles
Monash University's Korean Studies hosts conversation circles led by students. These groups cover topics like K-pop, travel, and current affairs and meet during term, making them a great way to improve your speaking and listening skills.
The Kona Festival at Fed Square is a free annual festival in Melbourne CBD with live music, street food, performances, pop-up film screenings, and cultural exhibitions. These kinds of events are all over Australia, so you could even find Korean classes in Perth through language meetups, cultural centres, and conversation circles.
Libraries and Cultural Resources
The City of Melbourne Libraries offers a wide selection of Korean-language books, magazines, DVDs, and digital resources that you can borrow or use in the Library. Monash University's Korea Week also has conversation circles, film screenings, and cultural conversations and is open to both students and interested members of the public.
Cafés, Restaurants, and Koreatown
Designated and Melbourne's Koreatown in September 2024, Healeys Lane features over 25 Korean businesses, including eateries that are great places for casual immersion and Korean language practice.
Korean Bookstores and Cultural Spaces
You can find Books Kinokuniya in the CBD. This Asian bookstore has a dedicated Korean section where you can browse Korean literature, magazines, and textbooks. The Seoul Supermarket and Korea Mart in Footscray are primarily grocery stores, but you can find Korean language signage everywhere and the products you'll need to cook Korean dishes, which you can do while following Korean instructions!
If something isn't working, you can always change things up. Maybe the tutor you found in Melbourne isn't working, so you've decided to find Korean classes in Adelaide through online tutoring. Learning a language takes time, and you can use a combination of studying on your own as well as attending classes or working with a private tutor. No matter how you choose to learn Korean, the important thing is that you're doing it!
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