As 2025 comes to a close, this episode offers a calm, honest reflection on how to approach Korean learning in the new year — without pressure, burnout, or unrealistic resolutions.

In this final episode of 2025, Eliza shares how she would learn Korean in 2026 if she were starting (or restarting) today: with less perfectionism, more consistency, and a gentler, more sustainable routine.

This episode is not a study plan or a New Year’s resolution.
It’s a mindset shift — designed to help Korean learners feel confident, supported, and motivated going into 2026.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why trying to study Korean perfectly (완벽하게) often slows progress
• Why consistency matters more than motivation
• How 조금씩, 꾸준히 (little by little, consistently) leads to real fluency
• How to set gentle intentions using –(으)려고 하다
• Why good learners don’t “quit” — they 다시 돌아와요 (come back)
• How to approach Korean in 2026 without restarting or burning out

This episode is ideal for learners who feel tired, stuck, or unsure how to move forward — and want Korean to feel more human and doable again.

A Gentle Invitation: Korean FLOW Club

In the episode, Eliza also shares why she created the Korean FLOW Club — a monthly practice space focused on:

• real Korean usage
• listening, speaking, and writing
• showing up imperfectly
• building a routine you can return to anytime

🎁 Soft Launch Offer

• $57/month until the end of December
• Regular price $67/month starting January 2026

Join the Korean FLOW Club for weekly practice in real Korean (reading, listening, speaking & writing).

Key Korean Words & Expressions from the Episode

• 완벽하게 — perfectly
• 조금씩, 꾸준히 — little by little, consistently
• –(으)려고 하다 — to intend / plan to
• 다시 돌아오다 — to come back
• 괜찮아요 — it’s okay

No memorization required — just gentle exposure.

If This Episode Helped You

• Share it with a friend learning Korean
• Save it as a reminder for 2026
• Leave a short review to support the podcast

Your support helps more Korean learners find calm, sustainable guidance.

Prefer reading while you listen?
I’m experimenting with a new way to support visual learners!
→ Read this episode on Substack

Connect with Me

• 🌐 Website: https://www.joaacademy.com/
• 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy

This special Christmas episode is a gentle Korean listening experience — no studying, no pressure, just listening and feeling.

In this episode, Eliza shares a short Christmas story in Korean about spending the holidays abroad. She reflects on the contrast between Christmas in Korea, which often feels quiet and low-key, and Christmas in France, where streets are filled with lights, trees, busy shops, and families preparing for holiday meals.

Told at an A2 friendly pace, this episode is perfect for Korean learners who want to relax, enjoy the sound of Korean, and connect emotionally with the language — especially during the holiday season.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• A cozy Christmas story in easy, slow Korean
• Cultural reflections on Christmas in Korea vs abroad
• A gentle reminder that understanding everything is not required
• A calm listening practice you can enjoy anywhere
• A special Christmas gift for learners interested in living, working, or settling down in Korea

How to Use This Episode

• Listen while walking, resting, or enjoying a warm drink
• Focus on tone and feeling, not translation
• Let Korean wash over you naturally
• Enjoy it more than once if you like — no effort required

To celebrate the holidays, Eliza collaborated with other professionals who support foreigners in Korea to create a free resource bundle.

🎁 The Korea Success Resource Bundle includes free resources from:

• Korean teachers
• An expat coach living in Korea
• An entrepreneur who helps foreigners do business in Korea
• An entrepreneur who helps foreigners settle down in Korea

Each contributor shared one resource to help you study, work, do business, or build a life in Korea with more confidence.

👉 Download the bundle for free.

Prefer reading while you listen?

I’m experimenting with a new way to support visual learners!
→ Read this episode on Substack

⭐ If You Enjoyed the Episode…

Please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a quick review. It helps more Korean learners discover the podcast and feel supported on their TOPIK journey.

Connect with Me

• 🌐 Website: https://www.joaacademy.com/
• 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
• 💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club for weekly practice in real Korean (reading, listening, speaking & writing).

Many learners lose points not because their grammar is bad, but because their writing lacks clear structure, logical flow, or consistent written style (문어체).

In this episode, Eliza explains how graders scan essays, what they look for first, and why clarity matters more than “advanced” grammar. If you’ve ever felt frustrated thinking “My writing isn’t that bad, so why is my score low?” — this episode will help everything finally make sense.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✔ How TOPIK graders read essays - What graders focus on — and what they don’t care about as much as you think.

✔ Why many learners lose points without realizing it - Common issues like unclear topic sentences, weak connectors, and mixed speaking/writing styles.

✔ The difference between spoken Korean and written Korean (문어체) - Why writing the way you speak can lower your TOPIK score.

✔ One powerful “Think Like a Grader” rule - A simple mindset shift that instantly improves how you approach TOPIK writing.

✔ How to review your own TOPIK essay more effectively - A low-pressure self-check you can use with essays you’ve already written.

Key TOPIK Writing Concepts Covered:

• TOPIK essay structure
• Topic sentences and logical flow
• Writing consistency (문어체)
• Common TOPIK writing mistakes
• Clarity vs advanced grammar
• How TOPIK essays are evaluated

Practice

Take one old TOPIK essay you’ve written and check:

1. Do I have a clear topic sentence?
2. Are my ideas logically connected?
3. Is my writing style consistent throughout?

You don’t need to rewrite — awareness alone improves writing quality.

What’s Next

For listeners who want to go deeper with structured lessons and real feedback, enrollment for the TOPIK II Writing Confidence Program opens this Friday, December 19, 2025.

If you’re interested or want to learn more, make sure you’re on the waitlist.

👉 Join the waitlist here → https://www.joaacademy.com/writing-confidence-lab-waitlist

⭐ If You Enjoyed the Episode…

Please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a quick review. It helps more Korean learners discover the podcast and feel supported on their TOPIK journey.

Connect with Me

• 🌐 Website: https://www.joaacademy.com/
• 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
• 💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club for weekly practice in real Korean (reading, listening, speaking & writing).

If you feel like TOPIK Writing is confusing, overwhelming, or just “too hard”… you’re not alone.
In this episode, Eliza explains the real reasons TOPIK Writing feels difficult — and why it has nothing to do with your intelligence or Korean ability.

You’ll hear a simple, beginner-friendly Korean story about a common TOPIK mistake (writing exactly like you speak)… and you’ll learn how to shift from spoken Korean to written Korean (문어체) in a clear, stress-free way.

Finally, Eliza gives you one of her signature frameworks for Level 4–5 writing, so you can instantly improve your next TOPIK essay.

Whether you’re preparing for TOPIK II, struggling with sentence flow, or just want to feel confident writing in Korean, this episode will help everything “click.”

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✔ Why TOPIK Writing feels hard (it’s not your fault!)
The three major reasons most learners struggle — and how understanding them changes everything.

✔ The difference between speaking Korean and writing Korean (문어체)
A simple Korean story demonstrates why spoken patterns (like “너무… 너무… 너무…”) don’t work for TOPIK.

✔ How to avoid the “childish writing” trap
Common Level 3–4 mistakes and how to fix them.

✔ A simple TOPIK Writing structure you can use immediately
Eliza teaches a clear framework: Topic → Reason → Example → Ending
Perfect for TOPIK Level 4–5 tasks.

✔ A mini writing challenge to build confidence
Learn how to express a negative experience or inconvenience in a logical, TOPIK-friendly format.

Key Korean Expressions From the Episode:

• 말하기 스타일 — speaking style
• 문어체 — written/formal style
• 논리 흐름 — logical flow
• 부담이 크다 — to feel burdened
• 계획을 조정하다 — to adjust a plan

Perfect for learners who want practical vocabulary for TOPIK essays.

Your Weekly Writing Challenge:

Think of one small inconvenience you experienced this week (e.g., transportation issue, weather, schedule issue).

Write a short paragraph using the TOPIK structure: Topic → Reason → Example → Ending.

Small practice grows big confidence.

Want Personalized Feedback on Your TOPIK Writing?

The TOPIK Writing Confidence Lab opens very soon.
If you want to write clear, logical, Level 4–5 essays with guidance and supportive feedback:

👉 Join the waitlist here → https://www.joaacademy.com/writing-confidence-lab-waitlist

You'll be the first to know when doors open + receive special bonuses.

Prefer reading while you listen?

I’m experimenting with a new way to support visual learners!
→ Read this episode on Substack

⭐ If You Enjoyed the Episode…

Please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a quick review. It helps more Korean learners discover the podcast and feel supported on their TOPIK journey.

Connect with Me

• 🌐 Website: https://www.joaacademy.com/
• 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
• 💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club for weekly practice in real Korean (reading, listening, speaking & writing).

December is the perfect moment to pause, breathe, and look back at your Korean learning journey.

In today’s gentle episode, Eliza helps you realize something important: You improved more in Korean this year than you think.

We explore a simple, personal story from Eliza’s life in France — a moment that revealed how language growth often happens quietly and naturally. Then, we break down three signs of invisible progress that Korean learners often miss.

Whether you’re preparing for TOPIK, learning Korean for daily life, or rebuilding your study routine, this episode will help you feel proud of how far you’ve come.

You’ll walk away feeling lighter, more grounded, and more confident for the rest of your Korean journey.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
1. Why language progress is invisible in daily life and why that’s normal for all learners — even experienced ones.
2. Three signs you improved your Korean in 2025 including understanding more, feeling meaning, and noticing mistakes.
3. A simple Korean story to help you reflect told at an A2–B1 friendly pace for listening practice.
4. Key Korean expressions used in the episode:

• 익숙해지다 (to become familiar with something)
• 자연스럽게 나오다 (to come out naturally)
• 작지만 중요한 변화 (a small but important change)

5. A gentle reflection challenge to end the year intentionally and recognize your own growth.

Reflection Challenge

Write down two tiny moments in 2025 when you felt even a little bit of Korean progress. (Yes — even a 3-second moment counts.)

Join the Korean FLOW Club

If you want structured, low-pressure weekly Korean practice — combined with real Korean stories, speaking prompts, and a warm learning community — you can join anytime:

👉 Korean FLOW Club → https://www.joaacademy.com/the-korean-flow-club

If you enjoyed this episode…

Please consider:
→ Leaving a review on your podcast app
→ Sharing the episode with a friend
→ Posting about it on Instagram or Threads (and tagging me!)

Your support helps more Korean learners find this podcast and feel confident on their journey.

Prefer reading while you listen?

I’m experimenting with a new way to support visual learners!
→ Read this episode on Substack

Connect with Me

• 🌐 Website: https://www.joaacademy.com/
• 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy

❤️ If You Enjoyed This Episode

Please follow, rate, and share this podcast with a friend who’s studying for TOPIK! It helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and keeps this community growing.

This week’s episode is for all my intermediate learners preparing for TOPIK II or wanting to improve their listening comprehension through real-life Korean stories.

It’s a slow-natural monologue based on my real November — full of projects, parenting, and wisdom teeth drama 😅

In this episode:

• Hear a realistic monologue using B1 grammar & vocabulary
• Practice with comprehension questions (TOPIK-style!)
• Learn 4 high-frequency expressions with real examples
• Get listening in just 15 minutes

Great for you if:

• You’re prepping for TOPIK II (Level 3–4)
• You want to hear natural Korean used in context
• You’re tired of boring listening drills and want something more human

Prefer reading while you listen?

I’m experimenting with a new way to support visual learners!
→ Read this episode on Substack

Want more support like this?

Come join us inside the Korean FLOW Club — where we do weekly listening, speaking, and feedback together.

You don’t have to do this alone. 💛

Connect with Me

• 🌐 Website: https://www.joaacademy.com/
• 📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
• 💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club for weekly practice in real Korean (reading, listening, speaking & writing).

❤️ If You Enjoyed This Episode

Please follow, rate, and share this podcast with a friend who’s studying for TOPIK! It helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and keeps this community growing.

Do you ever feel confident speaking Korean… but totally freeze when writing an essay or TOPIK answer? Or maybe your written Korean is polished, but your mind goes blank during a conversation?

This episode breaks down why that gap exists — and how to fix it.

You’ll learn the real differences between speaking and writing, what traps learners fall into, and one simple but powerful exercise to start improving both skills together.

Whether you’re studying for real-life fluency or prepping for TOPIK II, this episode will help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

In This Episode:

✔️ Why speaking and writing feel so different
✔️ How to know where you’re strong vs. stuck
✔️ The #1 mistake learners make when trying to “transfer” skills
✔️ A practical exercise to train both modes together
✔️ What to focus on if you’re preparing for TOPIK II

Want to Build Writing Confidence?

Our TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab opens in December - a 4-week focused writing sprint to help you hit your writing goals with structure and feedback.

🔗 Join the waitlist here

Prefer speaking practice?

The Korean FLOW Club is open for new members — build fluency with daily prompts, routines, and community support.

🔗 Join the Korean FLOW Club

Prefer reading while you listen?

I’m experimenting with a Substack version of each episode to support visual learners. You can read along + get examples while listening to boost understanding!

📖 → Checkout Korean Joa in Substack

Connect with Me

🌐 Website: joaacademy.com
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club: Practice real Korean every week — reading, listening, speaking & writing.

If You Enjoyed This Episode

Please follow, rate, and share this podcast with a friend who’s studying Korean!
Your support helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and grow this global learning community.

Are your writing examples helping or hurting your TOPIK score?

In this episode of TOPIK & Beyond, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked ways to boost your TOPIK II writing: giving better, stronger, more logical examples. If your essays tend to sound vague or too personal, this episode will show you how to upgrade your writing — with real-life phrases, expressions, and a sample prompt practice.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why your examples may be lowering your score
• The 3R Rule for effective examples: Relevant, Realistic, Reasonable
• Natural Korean expressions to introduce examples (like “실제로,” “한 조사에 따르면…”)
• How to practice using real prompts to sound more logical and formal

  
  

Your Challenge:
Take an old writing sample and upgrade your example using today’s tips — then send it to Eliza for short feedback!

Want to improve your writing and get real feedback?
Join the waitlist for Eliza’s new mini-program, TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab — coming soon!
👉Join the Waitlist

Download your free guide:
👉 Master TOPIK Vocabulary: Essential Words to Level Up from TOPIK I → II
Get flashcard-style vocab lists, examples, and practice tips to help you write and speak more naturally for the exam. [🔗https://www.joaacademy.com/mastertopikvocab]

Connect with Me
🌐 Website: joaacademy.com
📸 Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
💌 Join the Korean FLOW Club: Practice real Korean every week — reading, listening, speaking & writing.

If You Enjoyed This Episode

Please follow, rate, and share this podcast with a friend who’s studying Korean!
Your support helps more learners discover TOPIK & Beyond and grow this global learning community.