
International students hold up their brush calligraphy works during a traditional calligraphy experience session at the “2025 Pusan National University Summer School,” held on July 9, 2025 at Pusan National University in Geumjeong District, Busan.
In response to the growing demand for accessible Korean language learning that can be done anytime, education organizations are offering personalized apps tailored to individual goals and learning styles.
Whether learners aim to build basic conversational skills, prepare for proficiency exams or master business Korean, a wide range of apps are now available at their fingertips.
To help navigate these choices, The Korea JoongAng Daily has compiled a selection of useful apps designed to meet the diverse needs of Korean language learners.
![The King Sejong Institute Foundation's mobile learning app, Mobile KSI [KING SEJONG INSTITUTE FOUNDATION]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/30/182f1435-4036-4cea-babe-082f9bcdaad2.jpg)
The King Sejong Institute Foundation’s mobile learning app, Mobile KSI [KING SEJONG INSTITUTE FOUNDATION]
Improving reading and conversational skills
Run by the King Sejong Institute (KSI), Mobile KSI and the KSI Korean AI Tutor are designed to meet the needs of learners seeking to improve their everyday conversational skills, from beginner to advanced levels.
Mobile KSI incorporates game-based learning and situational dialogue practice to help users acquire expressions for real-life contexts. Learners can assess their proficiency through a simple level test, after which the app provides personalized content recommendations tailored to their skill level.
Through the vocabulary and reading practice materials, learners can build their understanding of idiomatic expressions and reading comprehension, as well as travel Korean and everyday expressions. For easy reviewing, learners can also use the
practice notebooks, where expressions and vocabulary lists can be locally stored.
![The King Sejong Institute Foundation's mobile learning app, KSI Korean AI Tutor [KING SEJONG INSTITUTE FOUNDATION]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/30/1da4e504-1b64-47c5-b64b-60761bf2d984.jpg)
The King Sejong Institute Foundation’s mobile learning app, KSI Korean AI Tutor [KING SEJONG INSTITUTE FOUNDATION]
KSI’s Korean AI Tutor focuses more on speaking practice by leveraging generative AI technology to support conversation-based learning.
By engaging in conversations with an AI-powered KSI instructor, learners can practice speaking in various real-life scenarios, such as reserving a room or making a phone call. The app also recommends a “topic of the day” to encourage consistent daily practice.
For more structured learning, the app provides lesson statistics and review sessions, allowing users to track their progress and revisit previously learned vocabulary and expressions.
![A test taker marks answers for the Topik test. [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/30/9bee0dc8-6989-4b1c-9200-9eddae604f87.jpg)
A test taker marks answers for the Topik test. [JOONGANG ILBO]
Topik preparation
Topik Ssam, developed by education app developer United Associations in collaboration with the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), is designed for learners preparing for the Topik.
Utilizing data from EBS’s official Topik textbooks and mock exams, the app provides practice tests for both the listening and reading sections. Learners can engage with questions tailored to their proficiency levels
.
Topik Ssam also leverages AI to analyze users’ incorrect answers, helping identify weaknesses and provide a personalized guide. Based on accumulated data, the app offers feedback including statistics on commonly missed question types, frequently misunderstood expressions and overall performance reports.
In addition to the Topik-focused study, the app features a “Free Talk” section, where users can also practice daily Korean conversation with an AI tutor.
![A promotional image of AI-based app developer StellUp’s Hangling — Business Korean [STELLUP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/30/ed369116-beb9-4889-b421-d3f822176d19.jpg)
A promotional image of AI-based app developer StellUp’s Hangling — Business Korean [STELLUP]
Business Korean and STEM-focused learning
Designed to meet more specialized learner needs, AI-based app developer StellUp’s Hangling series offers Korean language training tailored to both business and academic contexts.
Created for international job seekers preparing for interviews with Korean companies, the Hangling — Business Korean app combines job preparation with practical business language training.
The app features short online lessons, vocabulary exercises, AI-powered interview simulations and roleplay scenarios set in corporate environments, all adapted to the learner’s proficiency level. The app also provides daily topic-based discussions, allowing users to practice speaking on work-related subjects such as team collaboration and corporate goals.
![A promotional image of AI-based app developer StellUp’s Hangling STEM edition [STELLUP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/30/8549ff83-6ab5-4b9f-9c25-7b0519d65523.jpg)
A promotional image of AI-based app developer StellUp’s Hangling STEM edition [STELLUP]
Scheduled for release in April, Hangling also has another Korean language learning app for STEM students, developed in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Human Resources Development in Science and Technology.
According to the developers, the program aims to support international students in science and engineering as they adapt to research environments in Korea, with a strong emphasis on building practical communication skills for use in laboratories and on campus.
BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [yoon.seungjin@joongang.co.kr]



















