Korean Dictionary

How to say "Language School" in Korean

Language School” in Korean is 어학원 (pronounced "Eohagwon").

어학원

Eohagwon

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Usage & Context

Language schools (어학원) are popular institutions in Korea where students and adults study foreign languages, especially English, Chinese, and Japanese. Major cities like Seoul have entire districts with concentrated 어학원 options. Many Korean students attend 어학원 to prepare for international language tests like TOEIC, TOEFL, HSK, and JLPT.

Example Sentence

영어 실력을 높이기 위해 어학원에 다녀요.

I attend a language school to improve my English.

How to use 어학원 naturally

Quick answer

The Korean word for “Language School” is 어학원, romanized as Eohagwon.

Usage tip

Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.

Common mistake

Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 어학원.

Pronunciation Guide

The first syllable, 어 (eo), sounds like "uh" in "up." The second syllable, 학 (hak), sounds like "hak" in "hack." The third syllable, 원 (won), sounds like "won" in "one." Pronounce it smoothly as "uh-hak-won."

More Example Sentences

Telling a friend about starting new language studies.

저는 일본어 배우려고 어학원에 등록했어요.

I registered at a language school to learn Japanese.

Asking for recommendations in a new neighborhood or city.

이 근처에 좋은 어학원 추천해 주실 수 있나요?

Can you recommend a good language school near here?

Sharing experiences from attending a language school and making new connections.

어학원에서 만난 친구들과 스터디 그룹을 만들었어요.

I made a study group with friends I met at the language school.

Cultural Context

'어학원' are ubiquitous in Korea, reflecting the nation's high value on foreign language proficiency, especially English. Many Koreans attend '어학원' from a young age through adulthood, often after regular school or work, to gain a competitive edge in academics or the job market. They are also popular among foreigners in Korea looking to learn Korean, offering structured classes and cultural immersion.

Editorial note

We review entries like 어학원 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.

Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.

Common Phrases

어학원에 다니다

to attend a language school

어학원 등록

language school registration

어학원 강사

language school instructor

Related Expressions

학원

hagwon

private academy (broader term)

어학연수

eohagyeonsu

language study abroad

외국어

oegugeo

foreign language

학원비

hagwonbi

academy tuition fee

More Education Words

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