Language Mastery Guide 2026

How to Stop "Thinking" and Start "Speaking"
The Sentence Expansion Method for Expats

A cartoon illustration of a teacher explaining the sentence expansion method using word cards like 'I', 'GO', 'EAT', and 'SEE' on a whiteboard for language learners

1. The Power of Core Verbs (핵심 동사의 힘)

If you can read Hangul and know basic verbs, you are already 50% there. Many students fail because they try to memorize rare academic words before mastering the basics.

Before we dive in, check out this list of Common Korean Verbs You Must Know. Among them, I have selected the Top 5 Essential Verbs that will be the "engine" of your sentences:

가다 (Ga-da) To Go

먹다 (Meok-da) To Eat

하다 (Ha-da) To Do

보다 (Bo-da) To See

있다 (It-da) To Exist/Have

2. Why This Works: Linguistic "De-lexicalization"

In English, words like make, take, get, and go are called De-lexical Verbs. According to the Oxford English Dictionary and corpus linguistics research, these few words account for a staggering percentage of daily conversation (nearly 40-50% in some contexts).

Think about it: "Take a bus," "Take a shower," "Take a seat." The verb 'take' carries a huge load of meaning. "한국어에서도 마찬가지입니다. 기초 동사 몇 가지만으로도 일상의 대부분을 표현할 수 있습니다." This is why my practice method focuses on strengthening these "core muscles" rather than chasing fancy vocabulary.

3. The Practice: Growing Your Sentences

In my italki lessons, I use a method called "Sentence Fattening." We start with a 5-year-old child's level of speech and gradually add "flesh" to the bone.

Example: The "가다" (Go) Journey

Step 1 (Basic): 가요. (I go.)
Step 2 (+Place): 학교에 가요. (I go to school.)
Step 3 (+Time): 아침 9시에 학교에 가요. (I go to school at 9 AM.)
Step 4 (+Adjective/Reason): 너무 바빠서 아침 9시에 학교에 가요. (I go to school at 9 AM because I'm so busy.)
Step 5 (+Detail): 너무 바빠서 아침 9시에 커피를 마시면서 학교에 가요. (I go to school at 9 AM while drinking coffee because I'm so busy.)

*If you're still confused about the order, refer to Basic Sentence Structure in Korean (SOV).

A blackboard with colorful chalk writing of language learning terms including 'learn language', 'adjectives', 'nouns', 'verbs', and 'adverbs

4. Be a 5-Year-Old: Prioritize Sound over Grammar

"외국어를 배우는 데 가장 중요한 것은 스스로를 5살 꼬마라 생각하는 것입니다." Stop worrying about perfect particles (-이/가, -은/는) or complex endings. Children don't study grammar books; they mimic sounds and connect them to meanings.

"Focus on the 'flow.' Speak as you hear it. Digestion takes time, so don't force perfection."

5. Talk About YOURSELF (주체적인 이야기)

Why is it easier to talk about a Netflix show you loved than the national economy? Because it's personal.

"가장 중요한 것은 나의 이야기를 하는 것입니다. 내가 좋아하는 것부터 시작하세요." When you talk about things you love, your brain releases dopamine, which helps memory retention. Don't waste time on boring textbook dialogues. Tell me about your dog, your favorite Korean food, or why you're learning this beautiful language.

Practice This Live with Brian on italki! 🧑‍🏫

Are you tired of slow progress? Let's break the silence together.
In my 1-on-1 sessions, we use the Sentence Expansion Method to make you a confident speaker.
"20년 비즈니스 현장의 경험을 담아, 여러분이 진짜 한국인처럼 말할 수 있도록 멘토링해 드립니다."

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"여러분의 고민은 혼자만의 것이 아닐 확률이 높습니다. 질문을 남겨주시면 그 내용을 바탕으로 다음 가이드를 작성해 보겠습니다."

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