While living in Korea and wanting to learn the language properly, I looked at several schools and came across GANADA KOREAN.
From a foreigner's point of view, the content of the classes matters, but there are other things that need checking just as carefully.
- Whether the enrollment process is straightforward
- Whether you can take a class that matches your current level of Korean
- Whether consultation and application are possible from abroad
- Whether postponement or a refund is possible if your schedule changes
- Whether the location and access are convenient
Looking into it myself, GANADA KOREAN has these steps laid out fairly systematically, so even a foreign student searching for a Korean language school for the first time can comfortably start with a consultation.
1. Why I started looking for a Korean language school in Hongdae
Living in Korea, or preparing for study or work here, there comes a point where you need something more structured than everyday conversation.
Studying alone is possible, but it is hard to gauge your actual level, and not easy to judge which stage you should start from.
So I looked for a Korean language school in the greater Seoul area that would be easy for a foreign student to attend, and ended up examining the enrollment process and class information at GANADA KOREAN in Hongdae.
2. A five-step admission process that is not difficult for foreigners
The admission process at GANADA KOREAN was simpler than I expected.
GANADA KOREAN enrollment steps
Consultation → Application form → Level test → Tuition payment → First class
You first discuss the class and schedule you want, then fill in an application form, and a level test confirms your current Korean.
Once your level is decided, you pay the tuition as directed and start classes.
Rather than being placed in a fixed class from the outset, you first find out your own level and are then guided to a suitable class — I liked that.
3. An online level test you can take before coming to Korea
One of the strengths of GANADA KOREAN is that the level test can also be taken online.
Foreign students who have not yet entered Korea, or who find it hard to visit the school in person, can check their Korean level and prepare for classes in advance.
If you are arranging your arrival date for study or work in particular, taking the level test and having a consultation from abroad seems more convenient than starting the whole process only after landing in Korea.
4. A range of consultation options that suit foreign students
The biggest advantage I felt was how many ways there are to get in touch.
For a foreigner not yet comfortable in Korean, a phone consultation alone can feel daunting — and GANADA KOREAN runs several messenger channels alongside phone and email.
Available consultation channels
- KakaoTalk
- LINE
- Phone
Being able to ask in whichever way feels familiar is a real advantage for students preparing to study Korean from abroad or who have only just arrived.
Since you can ask about class schedules, how to enroll and the level test before deciding whether to apply, it should also ease the pressure on anyone signing up for the first time.
5. A Korean language school in Hongdae with easy access
The GANADA KOREAN Hongdae main campus is located on Donggyo-ro 25-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
The Hongdae area is well served by public transport and everyday amenities, and is one of the districts international students and newcomers to Korea visit most.
If you are looking for a Korean language school in Seoul or the surrounding area, it is worth checking the commute and transport links as well as the course content.
For a foreign student who wants to attend classes consistently while living or studying in Korea, being in Hongdae can be one of the deciding factors.
6. What happens if your schedule changes after enrolling?
Foreign students sometimes face sudden changes — visa issuance, university schedules, arrival and departure dates.
So it matters to check the postponement and refund conditions before applying for a class.
Regular and group classes
For regular and group classes, cancelling before the course starts means a 100% tuition refund, and the application period can reportedly be postponed for up to six months.
However, a refund may not be possible if you have received a certificate of admission from the school, and related fees may be deducted when a refund is sent by overseas transfer, so it is worth checking before you enroll.
Private and business private lessons
For private and business private lessons, cancelling before the lessons begin means a full refund, and if you stop partway through, refund terms are set out based on the remaining tuition.
It is also worth remembering that if you need to cancel a lesson or postpone the schedule, you must contact your teacher by 6 p.m. on the day before the lesson.
Refund and postponement conditions can vary by class type and by whether a certificate of admission has been issued, so it is safest to confirm the exact terms with the school before applying.
7. The kind of foreign student GANADA KOREAN seems to suit
Looking into GANADA KOREAN, these are the people I thought would benefit from a consultation.
- Foreigners learning Korean for the first time
- Anyone looking for a class matched to their own level of Korean
- Anyone who wants to take a level test before entering Korea
- Foreign students who find messenger easier than the phone
- Anyone looking for a Korean language school in Hongdae or the greater Seoul area
- Anyone who wants to learn the conversation they need for daily life in Korea in a structured way
- Anyone raising their Korean level for study or work
The online level test and the range of messenger consultation channels in particular could be a real help to foreign students still finding their way in Korean.
8. If you are looking at a Korean language school for the first time, start with a consultation
What struck me while researching GANADA KOREAN is that it is less a place where you simply sign up for a class, and more a school set up so a foreign student can move through consultation, level check, enrollment and the first class in order.
When looking at a Korean language school for the first time, it is better to talk through your learning goals, current level and available schedule than to enroll straight off an advert.
If you are looking for a Korean language school in Hongdae, or you are a foreigner who wants to learn the Korean you need for daily life in a structured way, it is worth talking to GANADA KOREAN and checking whether there is a class that fits your schedule and level.
GANADA KOREAN Hongdae main campus
School name
GANADA KOREAN Hongdae main campus
Address
3F Seongdo Building, 15 Donggyo-ro 25-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Phone
02-332-6003
Please confirm the latest details on courses, opening dates, tuition, the level test and refund conditions with the school before enrolling.
Sources :GANADA KOREAN, GANADA KOREAN Blog, GANADA KOREAN Naver Blog, Web Support Center Blog, Web Support Center Naver Blog
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