1. What is Hangeul? (한글이란 무엇일까요?)

• A Brief History: Hangeul was scientifically and systematically created by King Sejong the Great in the 15th century (around 1443) to be easily learned by everyone. It's renowned as one of the most scientifically designed writing systems globally.
• Why is it Important? Learning Hangeul is the crucial first step to reading and writing Korean effectively. While Romanization can offer an initial crutch, relying solely on it will hinder your progress and affect pronunciation. Hangeul, though initially unfamiliar, is logical and relatively easy to master with practice.

2. The Consonants (자음 - ja-eum): The Building Blocks

Basic Consonants (기본 자음 - gibon ja-eum):

• ㄱ (g/k): Represents the shape of the tongue blocking the throat. /g/ and /k/
• ㄴ (n): Represents the shape of the tongue touching the roof of the mouth. /n/
• ㅁ (m): Represents the shape of the mouth. /m/
• ㅅ (s/sh): Represents the shape of the teeth. /s/ and /ʃ/
• ㅇ (ng / silent): Represents the shape of the throat. /ŋ/ (end of syllable), silent (beginning) - Crucially, it's silent at the beginning of a syllable that starts with a vowel sound.

Aspirated Consonants (거센소리 자음 - geosen-sori ja-eum):

These are formed by adding a stronger puff of air.

• ㅋ (kʰ): From ㄱ. /kʰ/
• ㅌ (tʰ): Conceptually related to ㄴ. /tʰ/
• ㅍ (pʰ): From ㅁ. /pʰ/
• ㅊ (t͡ʃʰ): Related to ㅅ. /t͡ʃʰ/

Tense (Double) Consonants (된소리 자음 - doen-sori ja-eum):

These are pronounced with a stronger, tenser sound.

• ㄲ (kk): From ㄱ. /k͈/ (harder 'g')
• ㄸ (tt): Conceptually related to ㄴ. /t͈/ (harder 'd')
• ㅃ (pp): From ㅁ. /p͈/ (harder 'b')
• ㅆ (ss): From ㅅ. /s͈/ (harder 's')
• ㅉ (jj): Related to ㅅ. /t͈͡ʃ/ (harder 'j')

3. The Vowels (모음 - mo-eum): The Melodies

Basic Vowels (기본 모음 - gibon moeum):

• ㅣ (i): A single vertical stroke. /i/ (as in "see")
• ㅡ (eu): A single horizontal stroke. /ɯ/ (as in "put" without rounding lips)
• ㅏ (a): Vertical stroke with a shorter stroke to the right. /a/ (as in "father")
• ㅓ (eo): Vertical stroke with a shorter stroke to the left. /ʌ/ (as in "cut")
• ㅗ (o): Horizontal stroke with a shorter stroke above. /o/ (as in "go")
• ㅜ (u): Horizontal stroke with a shorter stroke below. /u/ (as in "too")

Compound Vowels (이중 모음 - ijung moeum): Diphthongs

These vowels are formed by combining basic vowels.

• ㅑ (ya): ㅣ + ㅏ. /ja/ (as in "yard")
• ㅕ (yeo): ㅣ + ㅓ. /jʌ/ (as in "young")
• ㅛ (yo): ㅣ + ㅗ. /jo/ (as in "yoke")
• ㅠ (yu): ㅣ + ㅜ. /ju/ (as in "you")
• ㅐ (ae): ㅏ + ㅣ. /ɛ/ (as in "bed")
• ㅔ (e): ㅓ + ㅣ. /e/ (often same as ㅐ)
• ㅒ (yae): ㅑ + ㅣ. /jɛ/ (like "yak" + "bed")
• ㅖ (ye): ㅕ + ㅣ. /je/ (as in "yes")
• ㅘ (wa): ㅗ + ㅏ. /wa/ (as in "water")
• ㅝ (wo): ㅜ + ㅓ. /wʌ/ (as in "wonder")
• ㅙ (wae): ㅗ + ㅐ. /wɛ/ (often same as ㅙ and ㅚ)
• ㅞ (we): ㅜ + ㅔ. /we/ (often same as ㅙ and ㅚ)
• ㅚ (oe): ㅗ + ㅣ. /ø/ (variable pronunciation)
• ㅢ (ui): ㅡ + ㅣ. /ɰi/ or /i/ or /e/ (variable pronunciation)

4. Combining Consonants and Vowels: Syllable Formation (글자 만들기)

Korean syllables are generally formed by combining at least one consonant and one vowel.

• Common Structures:
  • Consonant + Vowel (CV): 나 (na), 기 (gi), 보 (bo)
  • Consonant + Vowel + Consonant (CVC): 산 (san), 길 (gil), 밥 (bap)
• The Role of ㅇ (ieung): When a syllable starts with a vowel sound, ㅇ is placed before the vowel as a silent placeholder. 아 (a), 이 (i), 오 (o). Remember, at the end of a syllable, ㅇ has the /ŋ/ sound.
• Visual Examples: (You would ideally include images here showing how letters combine)

5. Practice Reading Simple Syllables

(Here you would include a list of simple CV and CVC syllables with corresponding audio if possible.)

• 가 [ga]
• 나 [na]
• 다 [da]
• 산 [san]
• 물 [mul]
• 밥 [bap]

(Consider adding a simple matching exercise here.)

6. Mini-Quiz: Testing Your Knowledge

(Include interactive quiz elements here, such as matching letters to Romanization or sounds.)

1. Match the Hangeul letter with its Romanization:
   • ㄱ - (a) s/sh, (b) g/k, (c) n
   • ㅅ - (a) s/sh, (b) g/k, (c) n
   • ㄴ - (a) s/sh, (b) g/k, (c) n
2. What is the sound of the Hangeul letter ㅗ? (a) /u/, (b) /o/, (c) /a/
3. Choose the correct Hangeul letter for the sound /m/: (a) ㄴ, (b) ㅁ, (c) ㄱ

7. Tips for Learning Hangeul

• Practice consistently, even for short periods daily.
• Use flashcards (digital or physical) to memorize letters and sounds.
• Try writing Hangeul by hand to reinforce muscle memory.
• Avoid relying too much on Romanization; focus on reading Hangeul directly.
• Explore additional resources for further practice.