These classes are accessible from any location, set around your schedule, and help you...

Get awesome at speaking Korean with simple explanations of how it all works and then practicing what you learn live with a native Korean-speaker and a very small number of other people who have a similar speaking-ability to you as well as the want to improve in a fun, yet effective, atmosphere.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration Closes 2023, June 3rd

Yes, registration closes 2023, June 3rd, HOWEVER!...

These classes are very small, spots are limited, and it’s first-come-first-serve.

So if you’re serious about taking some serious steps forward in your Korean, then you may want to check out this this page and if you like what you hear, get signed up as soon as you can.

‘Cause once the classes are full and seats are gone, they’re gone.

So check out the info below, and if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to email admin@KoreanDigitalAcademy.com and ask anything you’d like. If you’re wondering it, there’s a good chance someone else is too.

Otherwise, when you’re ready to save your seat, 
click here to complete the registration process.

Q1) You say these classes fit around MY schedule.
How does that work exactly?

The design of this program was very much influenced by this TEDtalks presentation, and consists of two main aspects (with the addition of a "third" I'll talk about more below):

(1) the video “lectures” that explain how the language works, taught in plain, simple-to-understand English that is easy to make sense of and improve from;

And...

(2) the live practice sessions with a native Korean speaker where you get structured and effective practice of what you learned in the videos, to help you really improve your ability to SPEAK the language.

The video lectures:

There's more details below on who in the world I am and how I came to teach Korean, but the most basic version of it is: I started teaching live classes in the city I was living in (Suncheon, Jeollanamdo) Korea in early 2006.

Other than a brief period in 2007 (when my wife and I got married and we started an English school together), I kept teaching Korean for the next three years and in 2009, I recorded the classes (while teaching them live) and put them online for people:

  • who don’t have access to any decent classes in their area to learn from, or...
  • who appreciate getting the 'hows' and 'why's of the language explained in way that makes sense and is easier to improve from
  • who simply prefer to learn the language easier and improve quicker than they would either on their own or even with most other programs

Because they were recorded live, it’s like you’re sitting in the classroom when you watch them, and they are available for you to watch and learn from any time that works for you.

Please note: the only thing we typically ask is that you make sure to have watched and studied them before coming to the practice session so that we’re all on the same page and can spend all of our time actually speaking and practicing Korean, rather than having to explain things that were already explained in the video.

And of course, during or after watching the videos, if you ever have any questions you’d like cleared up, you can always email us and ask, and we will get back to you asap.

The live "practice" portion of the class:

These sessions will be at the same time of the same day each and every week, and that time will be determined by YOUR schedule and availability.  

Here's how that works...

Upon receiving (the very small) payment, as part of the registration process, we will ask for your schedule and availability. Then we will find and match you up with a very small number of other students who are of similar level, and who are available to meet at the same time as you.  We will then assign a teacher to you, and that will be your class time each week (for the practice sessions).

Some of our teachers work in the mornings, and some in the evenings and at night, so it is very rare we can't make something work.

And as mentioned above, there is actually a "middle" phase as well:

This phase comes between watching/studying the video lectures and the practice session, and is the key step to enabling you to make immediate and consistent improvement in your ability to speak Korean (unfortunately it also happens to be the step most people leave out, and most programs neglect to incorporate or address as well).

Referred to here as
"Deliberate Practice" , it is about what we do with the information once we have learned it, to guarantee that we not only "learn" it, but also develop the ability to actually SPEAK it. 

To ensure consistent improvement, it's important you make good use of the time you spend on learning, and ONLY focus on actions that will move you closer to your goal of speaking Korean.

I will show you exactly how to do this in a very effective and efficient manner, that allows you to make noticeable and consistent progress that fits it into the time you have available per day and week.

This step also fits perfectly around you're life, because it consists mostly of steps that you not only can do on your own, but that you actually SHOULD on your own!

I will show you exactly  what to do, and how to do it so it takes a minimal amount of time out of your day.

"It doesn't matter if you're coming in with no Korean, or lots of vocab but no idea of sentence structure like me ... this school will make you better."

Matt Lindsay
English Teacher, South Korea

Q2a) How much is the "trial" month, and what do I get for that?

In this first month, you are getting approximately EIGHT hours of Korean class time.

You're getting FOUR hour-long video lectures (recorded in a live class so it’s like you’re in the class as well) and FOUR live practice sessions with a native Korean-speaker to practice what you learn in the video lectures.

On top of that, you're also getting...

With the "Go at Your Own Pace" program, you get unlimited on-demand access to our entire digital library, including:

  • Mp3-file recordings (done by a native-speaker)

These are recordings of the main target language in each video class that you can use to improve your listening and your pronunciation

  • Download-and-printable handouts (the lesson)

These are the exact same we use in all the video lectures so you can follow along perfectly and take notes (again, just like you’re in the class)

  • Review/practice (workbook) pages

These are review/practice pages that you can download, print off, and fill out for extra practice and better retention of all the concepts, vocab, and structures you learn in the videos (not available for classes #1 and 2 ‘cause those are just about how to read and write)

  • The ability to go back and review anything as much as you'd like

Unlike traditional classes, and thanks again to the "flipped classroom" concept we employ, you have the ability to go back and review any lecture you'd like

  • Your own personal teacher at your fingertips

Any time you have a question, you are welcome to email us and ask anything you like, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.  If you're wondering it, there's a good chance someone else is too.  All we ask is that you please just reference which class and material you're referring to when you do.^^

  • Listening / Gapfill activities

Learning to speak the language without improving your ear for it is like learning to swim without using your legs: sure you could do it, but it wouldn't be anywhere near as effective.

The listening activities are made of natural Korean conversations and include the target language that you will learn throughout the main program, to help improve your ear for the language AND help you consolidate and retain everything you're learning.

  • A level assessment

For the program to be effective, it's important to start with material that will engage and challenge you yet not leave you overwhelmed. So part of the registration process will be to figure out exactly which level will be the most appropriate for you and your current speaking level.

  • Access to my "Path of Guaranteed Progress"

It's one thing to "learn" vocab, structures, and concepts in the language, but what do we do with that info to guarantee we develop the ability to actually SAY it?

This "Path of Guaranteed Progress" goes over the exact steps and process I took to become conversational in Korean in approximately nine months.  The steps are simple to do, are designed to fit into and around a person's schedule (no matter how busy they might be), and I believe can help shortcut anyone's path to becoming conversational and beyond in the Korean language.

These are not just some videos online.
This is a REAL course that...

  • follows a REAL system
  • is taught by an experienced teacher
  • has been running in Korea and helping people become conversational in Korean since early 2006
  • is utilizing technology common to today to reach people who wouldn’t ordinarily have access to a class in their area or who just want some extra practice to help you build confidence, fluency, and understanding in Korean, in an atmosphere that is relaxed and supportive.

For the first month it is a very small investment of only $20 . Here's why..

I know people find this class useful because I’ve been getting messages just like all the ones you’ll find all over this page from people who are so happy they were able to find this class ‘cause it helped them make sense of a language that many describe as difficult but is actually quite logical in many ways (it just has to be explained right).

But at the same time I understand that…

Someone coming here who was not referred by someone else and so might not know anything about these classes can be very skeptical - Is this really gonna help? Can I trust this guy? Is this a scam? - all the classic questions people have when they come to a site they don’t know that requires them to give money. Fair, yes, ‘cause there are a lot of shit-turds out there who ‘cause that kind of skepticism.

But here’s the thing…I don't want to spend ANY time "convincing" anybody.

All I want is people who are happy to be here because they find the classes useful and enjoyable, and the best way to do that is to just let people try them out to see EXACTLY what they’re like and decide for themselves.

So that's why it's only $20.^^

"I studied with the Korean Digital Academy and it was brilliant. It's very well organized, it works around your schedule and I highly recommend it."

Karen MacHale
English Teacher, South Korea

Now you might be asking yourself...

"If I really want people to be able to check it out as easily as possible, why not just make it free?"

It's a fair question, but to be fully honest with you…(here comes a friendly rant)...

Because organizing classes around EACH person’s individual schedule and finding others to study at that exact time as well, basically just making all this work takes a lot of work!!!

So I don’t really want to, and actually just can’t afford the time to, work with people who are not really serious about progressing their Korean forward.

So by charging a small amount...

Although it’s not much, it helps me weed out the people who aren’t serious and allows me and our team to focus on people like yourself who really DO want to improve their Korean.

‘Cause it doesn’t matter what your reason is for wanting to learn Korean in the first place, be it...

  • to really experience and gain a deeper understanding of the people and culture (that was my main reason when I started^^)
  • to hang out and chat with your Korean friends or family more
  • or even if you just want to understand more of your favourite Korean drama or Kpop group...

It doesn't necessarily matter what your reasons are, they are 100% valid, but the reality is that no matter what your reasons are for doing so...

If you want to actually improve, you’ve gotta be committed, and your commitment has to show up in two places…

  • Your schedule: you’ve gotta be putting the consistent time and effort in (even if only limited per day). And…
  • Your pocketbook: you’ve gotta be willing to invest money into yourself and your improvement…(it really does do wonders for motivation)...

'Cause at the end of the day, it's gonna feel awesome when you start improving...

Your friends are gonna notice it, you’re gonna notice it, and that feeling of accomplishment (A) will always be with you, and (B) is in turn going to create so much more motivation to keep going and learn and grow more.

And THAT’S gonna feel even more awesome!

Seriously, when you make that kind of choice to commit to something and you start feeling the improvement, it creates a cycle of success. The more you improve the more you want to improve, and so you do.

But you've gotta be using it, and
you've gotta be committed.

There are a lot of people people out there who say “Oh, I wanna learn Korean!” or I wanna learn how to do this, or that - whatever it might be - but it’s 100% lip-service because they almost NEVER put in the time, and they certainly NEVER put up the money and invest in themselves.

I wish that person luck but that is not who this course is for.

This course is for YOU... the person who doesn’t want to be giving lip-service to their goals, who actually DOES want to learn Korean and experience that feeling of accomplishment, and who IS ready and willing to commit.

And so that’s why this first month costs just $20 instead of being free.

I told you it was a rant.^^

But if you agree, then awesome. I can’t wait to help, and I know your Korean teacher is excited about it as well.

When you're ready, you can
click here to complete the registration process.

And if you agree but would still like to find out a bit more first before deciding, that’s completely understandable, too.

Feel free to check out the rest of this page, and as I’ve already mentioned a few times…

If you have any questions about the class that aren’t answered here, you email us at admin@KoreanDigitalAcademy.com (or just reply to any of the emails you've received from us already).

"I also want to add my applause for KDA!!! It is helping me learn a lot! Material is very well presented and explained in the videos. The necessary weekly practice lessons are really fun and very helpful. Can't recommend KDA enough to all who would like to learn Korean!”

Anna Tzanova
Korean Culture Super Fan, California, USA

Q2b) How much are the classes AFTER the trial month (the regular rate)?

Another fair question! Above I mentioned that the classes are “the equivalent of $100/month”, but that has lead to some confusion ‘cause actually these classes are NOT a “monthly” payment system at all.  For this program, NO payments are ever taken out “automatically”, so…

Here are details on how much these classes are AFTER the trial is over:

Currently we have four levels in total (with a fifth level coming hopefully very soon).  Each level take a total of three months to complete.

Three months at $100/month = $300 per level. 

NOTE: This is typically a one-time tuition fee paid upfront as part of the registration process, however for those who want, we do offer payment plans.

But of course, it being your first time to KDA, you are doing a one-month trial of the classes for only $20, which leaves only two months remaining of whichever level you start in (which is decided together, also as part of the registration process).

So after the trial month is complete, should you decide that you’re happy with the classes and you'd like to continue, you would then register for the remaining 2 months of the course, which would be a one-time payment of $200 (which again, can be broken up if need be).

To help make that a bit more clear, here are a few diagrams showing the cost.

"Class is going well. 선생님 has been great and your lessons really break things down into nice bite-sized pieces that are clear to understand. Your online lessons are clearly laying a foundation for future building on the language, and the tuition fee is reasonable and well worth the investment in my opinion."

Jared Collette
English Teacher, South Korea

Q3) Who are you anyways?

A very fair question! My name is Rob Julien, I am the creator of this program and academy, and I am the teacher in the "video lecture" portion of these classes.

Your name is Rob???
That doesn't sound very Korean!

Haha, you’re right, it doesn’t. And that’s because I’m not. And if that makes you a bit skeptical about this in any way, then I’d urge you to keep reading below to find out why the fact that I’m NOT Korean, although it is a bit counter-intuitive, is actually a GOOD thing for you and your want to learn Korean.

(and it's not just me who thinks that; all my past students as well as your Korean teachers all agree)

I came here back in 2003 to teach English and have been living here ever since, and quite literally living “in Korean” in many ways…

  • my wife and all my in-laws are Korean
  • I’ve done different martial arts here
  • I’ve met a TON of great friends
  • I’ve played ice hockey here (who knew!)
  • I’ve even hosted my own TV show here, all in Korean!!

That’s not an entire list obviously, but there are lots of things I do and have done here that have helped me progress my Korean, and some opportunities - like the TV hosting gig - that came as a RESULT of being able to speak Korean.

But, it hasn't always been this way!! 

When I first came here, I knew absolutely nothing about Korean.

But I did know I was going to be here for a few years at least and that I really wanted to get to know the culture and so to do that, I would need the language. So I set out to study.

But the problem was...

At that time, there were no good resources to learn from.

The books were terrible, and the classes - on top of very bad explanations by the teachers tended to teach super formal Korean which, for someone first starting out, is definitely NOT the level they should learn in...

So long story short, I basically started putting the language together myself.

I happened to find a book (that was actually meant for teaching English!!) that had a bunch of sentence patterns in it with the Korean translations on the backside.

So I would sit down and write out all literally all those Korean sentences and as I did, keep an eye out for patterns in them. Once I’d found something, I’d double-check it with my boss or co-teachers at the time to see if I was right.

And once I had pulled out everything I needed from those sentences (the structures, etc), I would pull out all the vocabulary I could as well.

Then I would then set to memorizing the vocabulary and the rules (NOT the sentences) from that page and practice until I could say literally every sentence on that page from UNDERSTANDING, not just straight memorization of each sentence. Then I would go onto the next page.

And by learning that way (as opposed to just memorizing sentences), as I learned more vocabulary and sentence structures and...

The amount I could say in Korean started to multiply...

‘Cause as I learned new sentence structures, I could apply the vocab I already knew into them; and vice versa, as I learned new vocabulary, through understanding I was able to apply it into all the sentence structures I had already learned.

Anyways, I continued this process for about 10 months until I was conversational, and let me you...it was long and it was tedious, and at the time it really sucked!

But looking back on it now, I’m glad it worked out that way, ‘cause it gave me a really deep understanding of Korean...

And I discovered a couple things…

  • The first is the Korean is NOT difficult; not like people make it out to be anyways.

Sure there are some things that are quite different than in English, but “different” does not have to mean “difficult”, as long as you get it explained in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

But more importantly...

  • There is a system. A very sound, logical, and learnable system.

I mentioned that it took me 10 months to get conversational, and that’s because not only did I have to learn it, I actually had to figure it out first!

But knowing what I now know, I really believe someone can become conversational in as little as three months if they really apply themselves.

And so that’s who I am and what this course is all about.  To help you...

  • Get the basics explained in a way that is simple and easy to understand and apply, by a teacher who started right where you are now and knows how to get you to where you need to be
  • To make the learning process fun and motivating rather than difficult and frustrating like so many make it seem. And...
  • To make the learning process fun and motivating rather than difficult and frustrating like so many make it seem. And...

Well that’s the first part anyways...

The second part of this program is focused on what you do with the information to guarantee you improve your ability to actually speak the language!

Information without both a plan and an outlet to develop the ability to actually say what you learn, is what leads many people down a path of learning for months (sometimes years)... but fail to develop the ability or the confidence to actually hold a conversation in Korean, or the ability to even recall much of what they learned.

Unfortunately for most people, despite their want to learn, they simply don’t have access to a decent class or people they can actually practice and use their Korean with.

And for those who do have classes available to them, often they are...

And/or...(usually and)...

  • the class or teacher offers no strategy to take the information learned, and make sure the person develops the ability to speak and retain what they learn

So the second part of this class is
designed to help you...

  • Build fluency, easily and consistently
  • Help you retain everything you learn
  • Smash through that initial confidence hurdle many people go through when speaking a new language.
  • simply improve as quickly as you possibly can

...with our "Path of Guaranteed Progress", that walks you a practical method to practice everything you learn both on your own, and live with a native Korean-speaker (optional)

"Rob, I have to say that I am really loving the course. I'm already noticing these structures when I listen to the other teachers speaking Korean at my school. Also, I'm really loving the active learning."

Patrick Rivers
English Teacher, South Korea

"That all sounds great, Rob, but to be honest, the idea of learning from someone who is not Korean still feels a bit weird to me."

I get that. I really do. ‘Cause pretty much everyone who comes to my class without knowing me (basically without being referred here by someone else) has some version of the same thought in the beginning.

However!...

Let me ask you a question...

(and this is not to sound condescending in any way, it’s just meant
to prove a point, ‘cause I do get your skepticism)…

Who would you say is a better judge of my ability
to speak Korean and teach Korean:

(A) You?

...or...

(B) a Korean person who has seen my videos and heard me speak, knows exactly what this class is all about, and likes it so much they actually help me teach it (and have been for years now)?

‘Cause the fact is, I have five Korean people that work with me and run these practice sessions.

They’ve seen the videos, they’ve heard me teach and speak Korean, and
they agree that this is a good course, which is the reason they decided to join me when I decided to launch these live practice sessions.

So while you might be a bit skeptical right now,
put your faith in them!

And at the end of the day, you’re getting to try everything out for two weeks for only a buck!

So really, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain ‘cause in only two weeks from now, if you follow our instruction, you WILL have improved and you WILL be speaking more Korean, and I promise you 
it’s going to feel great.

Q4) Are these classes only for beginners,
or for higher levels too?

No, these classes are not only for beginners. Currently there are four levels in total here at KDA providing a suitable class for almost all levels (and we are currently in production of L5).

Level one starts right in the beginning for people who have zero experience with Korean, and Level 4 is high enough that since 2012, I have only turned about about 4-5 people for being "too high".

After registering, as part of the registration process, we will work together with you to determine the best place to start in the class.

“I really liked your Korean classes; it was the only time I studied Korean and felt there was a logic to it and a system to the teaching. I felt you could understand English-speakers’ problems learning Korean.”

Melanie Steyn
Suncheon National University Language Professor, S. Korea

Q5) Since this is online, is there any special
software I'm going to need?

To watch the videos? No, there is not. We host our videos on Vimeo, which is a very well-known and easily streamable video-hosting service.

To join the live practice sessions, yes, but it’s pretty straight forward. We use a program called Zoom which is super easy to use and, after COVID-19, most people are pretty familiar with. 

However 3 things you WILL need (should you book a speaking-practice session) are:

  • A computer with a decent Internet connection
  • A headset (which is not ALWAYS crucial using one almost always creates a better experience for everyone involved, yourself included)
  • A willingness to learn and maybe even have a bit of fun in the process^^

“Hey man, just wanted to let you know that the classes were great and that I could write a lot about how well you teach them.  I think you’re chill, easy going, make people feel comfortable and one of the best teachers I’ve had, period. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

Dustin Clark
High School Principle, Oregon, USA

Q6) Can I see a sample of the videos?

Absolutely, you can. The first two classes from each level are currently open and available for you to check out.

On top of letting you see exactly what the classes are like, it will also give you a glimpse into what level may be right for you.

Click here to head to the class area (can also be access from the members home page).

"I could not have been happier with the class. It met my expectations. It got me speaking."

Julia Reidy
Korean Culture Super Fan

Q7) I have more questions, how can I get in touch with you?


Yes, please do!

We want people to be as informed as possible when making their decision, so please do ask!  The best way to get in touch is either to reply to any of the emails you've received from us, or you can email directly to admin@koreandigitalacademy.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!

And other than that, a few last things I'll finish off with...

Yes, registration closes on 2023, June 3rd, but you may not want to wait until then to register ‘cause...

Not only are these classes small, but they’re online which means students can (and will) join from all over the world and so they are being advertised in every major city across Korea, the U.S, Canada, Australia, etc..

So to guarantee yourself a spot in a class that actually fits into your schedule, you may want to consider registering now, ‘cause it’s first come first serve and, and once spots are full, they’re full, and there’s nothing I’ll be able to do about it.

So
go grab your seat now and we’ll speak again soon.

Cheers,

Rob Julien

P.S. I like to keep in contact with students of these classes and so I have a completely-optional survey that people can fill out and use to help me improve the class.

Well one question I ask on that survey is...

“What do you like about the classes?”

Here are a whole bunch of answers that I’ve got (these are all screenshots of the actual survey results).  As you can see, these are from a while ago as, like I said, I've been doing this a long time!

P.P.S. If you’ve seen enough and are excited to get started, well I’m excited as well. Click this blue button just below to get registered and I’ll see you in class!

P.P.P.S. In case you just scrolled straight to the bottom, here are all the FAQs again to save you having to scroll all the way back up...

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