How to Register for an English Academy in Korean

Signing up for language classes is a common step for many learners in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary needed to navigate the registration process at an English academy (영어 학원 – yeong-eo hak-won). You’ll learn how to inquire about courses, discuss fees, and complete your enrollment smoothly.

Core Expression

• Expression: 영어 학원 등록하기
  Pronunciation: yeong-eo hak-won deung-nok-ha-gi
  Meaning: Registering for an English academy

Basic Registration Phrases

• Expression: 상담받으러 왔어요.
  Pronunciation: sang-dam-ba-deu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I came for a consultation.
• Expression: 영어 수업 등록하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: yeong-eo su-eop deung-nok-ha-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to register for an English class.
• Expression: 등록 절차가 어떻게 되나요?
  Pronunciation: deung-nok jeol-cha-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: What is the registration procedure?
• Expression: 어떤 서류가 필요한가요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon seo-ryu-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What documents are needed?
• Expression: 레벨 테스트를 받아야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: re-bel te-seu-teu-reul ba-da-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to take a placement test?
• Expression: 상담 예약을 할 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: sang-dam ye-yak-eul hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I make an appointment for a consultation?
• Expression: 학원 운영 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
  Pronunciation: hak-won un-yeong si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: What are the academy’s operating hours?
• Expression: 처음 등록하는 거예요.
  Pronunciation: cheo-eum deung-nok-ha-neun geo-ye-yo.
  Meaning: This is my first time registering.
• Expression: 등록 신청서를 작성해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: deung-nok sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to fill out a registration form?
• Expression: 언제부터 수업을 시작할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo su-eob-eul si-jak-hal su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: When can I start the classes?
• Expression: 여기서 등록할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo deung-nok-hal su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I register here?
• Expression: 외국인도 등록 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: oe-guk-in-do deung-nok ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Can foreigners also register?

Asking About Courses and Levels

• Expression: 어떤 종류의 영어 수업이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui yeong-eo su-eob-i in-na-yo?
  Meaning: What kinds of English classes are there?
• Expression: 회화반에 관심 있어요.
  Pronunciation: hoe-hwa-ban-e gwan-sim i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I’m interested in the conversation class.
• Expression: 초급반은 언제 시작하나요?
  Pronunciation: cho-geup-ban-eun eon-je si-jak-ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: When does the beginner class start?
• Expression: 수업 시간표를 볼 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: su-eop si-gan-pyo-reul bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I see the class schedule?
• Expression: 한 반에 학생 수는 몇 명인가요?
  Pronunciation: han ban-e hak-saeng su-neun myeot myeong-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: How many students are in one class?
• Expression: 제 레벨에 맞는 반을 추천해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: je re-bel-e man-neun ban-eul chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please recommend a class suitable for my level.
• Expression: 교재는 무엇을 사용하나요?
  Pronunciation: gyo-jae-neun mu-eo-seul sa-yong-ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: What textbook do you use?
• Expression: 수업은 일주일에 몇 번 있나요?
  Pronunciation: su-eob-eun il-ju-il-e myeot beon in-na-yo?
  Meaning: How many times a week are the classes?
• Expression: 수업 시간은 얼마나 되나요?
  Pronunciation: su-eop si-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: How long is each class session?
• Expression: 원어민 선생님 수업인가요?
  Pronunciation: won-eo-min seon-saeng-nim su-eob-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is the class taught by a native speaker teacher?
• Expression: 비즈니스 영어 과정도 있나요?
  Pronunciation: bi-jeu-ni-seu yeong-eo gwa-jeong-do in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do you also have a Business English course?
• Expression: 시험 대비반은 없나요? (e.g., 토익, 토플)
  Pronunciation: si-heom dae-bi-ban-eun eom-na-yo? (to-ik, to-peul)
  Meaning: Aren’t there any test preparation classes? (e.g., TOEIC, TOEFL)

Discussing Fees and Payment

• Expression: 수강료는 얼마인가요?
  Pronunciation: su-gang-nyo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: How much is the tuition fee?
• Expression: 한 달 수강료가 어떻게 되나요?
  Pronunciation: han dal su-gang-nyo-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: What is the monthly tuition fee?
• Expression: 교재비는 포함인가요?
  Pronunciation: gyo-jae-bi-neun po-ham-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is the textbook fee included?
• Expression: 할인 혜택이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ha-rin hye-taeg-i in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any discount benefits?
• Expression: 결제는 어떻게 하나요?
  Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: How do I make the payment?
• Expression: 카드 결제 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: ka-deu gyeol-je ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is credit card payment possible?
• Expression: 계좌 이체도 되나요?
  Pronunciation: gye-jwa i-che-do doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is bank transfer also possible?
• Expression: 환불 규정이 어떻게 되나요?
  Pronunciation: hwan-bul gyu-jeong-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: What is the refund policy?
• Expression: 등록비가 따로 있나요?
  Pronunciation: deung-nok-bi-ga tta-ro in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a separate registration fee?
• Expression: 수강료 납부 기한은 언제까지인가요?
  Pronunciation: su-gang-nyo nap-bu gi-han-eun eon-je-kka-ji-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: When is the tuition payment deadline?
• Expression: 영수증 받을 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I get a receipt?
• Expression: 분할 납부도 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: bun-hal nap-bu-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is payment in installments possible?

Finalizing Registration

• Expression: 이 반으로 등록할게요.
  Pronunciation: i ban-eu-ro deung-nok-hal-ge-yo.
  Meaning: I will register for this class.
• Expression: 등록 신청서 여기 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: deung-nok sin-cheong-seo yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Here is the registration form.
• Expression: 결제는 여기서 하면 되나요?
  Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun yeo-gi-seo ha-myeon doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Should I make the payment here?
• Expression: 레벨 테스트 결과는 언제 나오나요?
  Pronunciation: re-bel te-seu-teu gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je na-o-na-yo?
  Meaning: When will the placement test results be available?
• Expression: 첫 수업은 언제인가요?
  Pronunciation: cheot su-eob-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: When is the first class?
• Expression: 교재는 어디서 받나요?
  Pronunciation: gyo-jae-neun eo-di-seo bat-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where do I get the textbook?
• Expression: 등록이 완료되었나요?
  Pronunciation: deung-nok-i wan-lyo-doe-eon-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is the registration complete?
• Expression: 필요한 것은 다 준비됐나요?
  Pronunciation: pil-yo-han geo-seun da jun-bi-dwaen-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is everything necessary prepared?
• Expression: 감사합니다. 잘 부탁드립니다.
  Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you. I look forward to the class (literally: Please take good care of me).
• Expression: 수강증은 언제 받을 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: su-gang-jeung-eun eon-je ba-deul su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: When can I receive the student ID/registration card?
• Expression: 강의실은 어디인가요?
  Pronunciation: gang-ui-sil-eun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the classroom?
• Expression: 혹시 변경사항이 있으면 어떻게 연락 주시나요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si byeon-gyeong-sa-hang-i i-sseu-myeon eo-tteo-ke yeol-lak ju-si-na-yo?
  Meaning: How will you contact me if there are any changes?

Korean Culture Notes

Hagwon Culture: Private academies, known as ‘학원’ (hak-won), are extremely common in Korea for all ages and subjects, including English. They are often seen as essential supplements to public education or for adult skill development.

Level Tests: Most reputable hagwons require a placement test (‘레벨 테스트’ – re-bel te-seu-teu) to ensure students are placed in the appropriate class. Don’t be nervous; it’s just to find the best fit for you.

Consultations: It’s standard practice to have a consultation (‘상담’ – sang-dam) before registering. This is your chance to ask detailed questions about the curriculum, teachers, schedule, and fees.

Payment Practices: Monthly payments are common, but some hagwons offer discounts for paying for multiple months upfront. Always clarify the payment schedule, included costs (like textbooks), and the refund policy.

Teacher Respect: Addressing teachers respectfully is important. Use ‘선생님’ (seon-saeng-nim) after their name or on its own when speaking to them.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A prospective student (A) visits an English academy to inquire about registering for a conversation class and speaks with the receptionist/consultant (B).

• Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 영어 회화 수업 등록 관련해서 상담받으러 왔어요.
  Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, yeong-eo hoe-hwa su-eop deung-nok gwal-lyeon-hae-seo sang-dam-ba-deu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: A: Hello, I came for a consultation regarding registering for an English conversation class.
• Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 레벨의 수업을 찾으시나요? 혹시 레벨 테스트는 받으셨어요?
  Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon re-bel-ui su-eob-eul cha-jeu-si-na-yo? hok-si re-bel te-seu-teu-neun ba-deu-syeo-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: B: Yes, welcome. What level class are you looking for? Have you perhaps taken a placement test?
• Expression: A: 아니요, 아직 안 받았어요. 테스트를 먼저 봐야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: A: a-ni-yo, a-jik an ba-da-sseo-yo. te-seu-teu-reul meon-jeo bwa-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: A: No, I haven’t taken it yet. Do I need to take the test first?
• Expression: B: 네, 간단한 레벨 테스트 후에 본인에게 맞는 반을 추천해 드리고 있어요. 지금 바로 가능하신데, 보시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: B: ne, gan-dan-han re-bel te-seu-teu hu-e bon-in-e-ge man-neun ban-eul chu-cheon-hae deu-ri-go i-sseo-yo. ji-geum ba-ro ga-neung-ha-sin-de, bo-si-ge-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: B: Yes, after a simple placement test, we recommend a class that suits you. It’s possible right now, would you like to take it?
• Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 테스트 후에 수업 시간표랑 수강료도 알려주세요.
  Pronunciation: A: ne, jo-a-yo. te-seu-teu hu-e su-eop si-gan-pyo-rang su-gang-nyo-do al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: A: Yes, okay. After the test, please also let me know the class schedule and tuition fee.
• Expression: B: 그럼요. 이쪽으로 오셔서 잠시만 기다려주세요. 테스트 후에 자세히 안내해 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: B: geu-reom-nyo. i-jjok-eu-ro o-syeo-seo jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-se-yo. te-seu-teu hu-e ja-se-hi an-nae-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
  Meaning: B: Of course. Please come this way and wait a moment. I will provide detailed information after the test.

Practice Tips

Familiarizing yourself with these phrases will make the registration process much less daunting! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Practice asking about different types of classes (business, test prep, conversation) and inquire about schedules and fees. Don’t forget to practice the pronunciation carefully, focusing on syllable breaks. Visiting a few different hagwons for consultations can also be great real-world practice! Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!)