Introduction
Deciding to learn Korean can feel overwhelming. Between mastering Hangul, getting used to brand-new grammar structures, and adjusting to all the different speech levels, it’s really easy to feel lost. Choosing the right Korean learning app to guide you early on is absolutely crucial.
Usually, I just share little stories and content in Korean here, I don’t typically review apps or tools. But I’ve been exploring LingoDeer lately and partnered with them to share a deeper look.
So if you’re curious whether LingoDeer lives up to the hype and if it could be the right companion for your Korean study journey, keep reading!
What is LingoDeer?
LingoDeer is a language-learning app originally created for Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese learners, but it later expanded to European languages too. It’s mostly known for its structured, curriculum-based approach, offering:
- – Step-by-step grammar-focused lessons
- – High-quality native speaker audio
- – Interactive review tools
- – Listening and writing practice
- – Optional Hangul instruction for total beginners
If you’re serious about learning Korean properly, the structured path LingoDeer provides is a big deal.
How LingoDeer Organizes Your Korean Study
When I first opened LingoDeer, I spent time exploring the interface and checking out how the lessons and review system were structured. I always pay close attention to this because if an app isn’t well-organized, I get lost fast – and when I feel lost, I lose motivation.
Thankfully, LingoDeer’s structure makes a lot of sense after just a bit of getting used to.
The app divides your study experience into two parts: Learn and Review.
Learning Part
- – Korean 1 – Targets TOPIK 1 & early TOPIK 2 levels
- – Korean 2 – Extends into TOPIK 2 and 3 levels
- – Fluent Korean – Listen to little stories in fluent Korean to sharpen your conversation skills
- – Travel Phrasebook – A handy library of sentences and translations, perfect if you’re traveling to Korea soon
Korean 1 & Korean 2
Korean 1 and 2 are topic-based. In Korean 1 alone, you have access to more than 65 different topics! Each topic comes with:
In this section, you can start by learning core vocabulary and grammar to introduce the new material.
And if you ever feel unsure about a grammar point, you can easily dive deeper with the “Learning Tips” – short, clear notes that explain tricky concepts before you move on to exercises.
Once you’ve finished a lesson, you also get the chance to practice your reading skills with the Story – Reading exercises, which use simple stories based on what you just learned. And if you want to take it a step further, you can practice your pronunciation with Story – Speaking. You can record yourself, and for extra motivation, you can listen to how other learners pronounced the same lines by tapping the “cup” icon!
I honestly think the way Korean 1 and 2 are set up offers a really complete and enjoyable way to learn. It’s not just about memorizing vocab and grammar – it’s about immediately applying what you’ve learned, which makes the whole process feel much more natural (and a lot more fun).
Everything feels really progressive and manageable, which I love.
I also really like that the sessions are divided into bite-sized portions – it makes studying feel much more doable on a daily basis.
Fluent Korean
Since I’m a huge fan of learning through stories, my favorite part of the app is probably the Fluent Korean section.
LingoDeer uses native speakers for these stories, and honestly, it’s just a pleasure to study this way. It feels natural and immersive. When you come across a word or grammar point you don’t know, you can click directly on the word or tap the little lamp icon to get a full grammar breakdown. It keeps the flow smooth without needing to constantly stop and search elsewhere.
The app offers a wide range of stories across different levels, and you can even sort them by clicking on the search icon! The only thing I don’t love is that you can’t toggle off the Romanization like you can in other sections.
But honestly, the sheer amount of stories available is such a massive resource. For that alone, I already think LingoDeer is worth it!
Travel Phrasebook
Another section I really appreciate is the Travel Phrasebook.
Even if you’re using the free version of LingoDeer, you can access it. It’s packed with useful sentences sorted by topic, perfect for your next trip to Korea. If you don’t speak Korean yet, you can just tap on a sentence and have the app say it out loud – easy and super practical when you’re on the go.
Reviewing Part
The review system in LingoDeer changes a bit depending on the section you’re studying (Korean 1, Korean 2, Fluent Korean, or Travel Phrasebook).
At first, it feels a little confusing. But it becomes natural quickly.
- In Korean 1 and Korean 2, you get access to:
- Full review with flashcards
- 5-minute quizzes
- Vocabulary review (reviewing words only)
- Grammar review (reviewing sentences only)
- Knowledge cards (highlighting important grammar points)
- In Fluent Korean, you can:
- Play mini games related to the stories’ vocabulary
- Review words with flashcards
- Read key grammar points (“Key Points”) (Note: “Key Points” and “Knowledge Cards” are basically both grammar notes, not sure why the name changes!)
- In Travel Phrasebook, you can:
- Review all the sentences
- Check your favorited sentences
Having these review systems built into the app really helps keep your learning active.
Personally, I think reviewing what you’ve studied is key to actually retaining it.
My favorite way to review in the LingoDeer app is definitely through the 5-minute quizzes – they’re quick and super effective.
TL;DR: Pros & Cons
Pros
- – Native speaker audio with clear pronunciation
- – Structured, logical curriculum
- – Grammar tips and contextual examples built into lessons
- – Loads of story-based learning content
- – Super useful travel phrasebook for beginners and travelers
- – Offline mode support
Cons
- – Occasional lags when loading sections
- – Fluent Korean and Phrasebook aren’t yet available on the web version
- – No widgets for your phone/tablet home screen
Who I Recommend LingoDeer For
- – Beginners looking for structured learning with clear progression
- – Self-paced learners who love working independently
- – Intermediate learners wanting a strong review tool
Not ideal for:
- – Advanced learners targeting C1 or higher
- – Learners who mainly want immediate speaking practice (it is not the focus of Lingodeer)
Final thoughts
After discovering LingoDeer, I can confidently say it’s one of the most thoughtfully structured Korean learning apps I’ve seen.
It doesn’t promise flashy “learn Korean in 30 days” results. Instead, it gives you a real foundation – and that’s exactly what serious learners need.
If you’re looking for a Korean study app that offers real structure, clear grammar explanations, great audio, and a calm learning environment, LingoDeer is absolutely worth checking out.
📲 Download on iOS
📲 Download on Android
