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.

If you’ve been practicing TOPIK II writing, you probably already know how hard it is to find the perfect sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary…

But what if your biggest score drop isn’t from grammar — but from tone?

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• What “tone” means in Korean essays
• The most common tone mistakes learners make
• How to sound natural, formal, and confident (not stiff or casual!)
• Real examples of high-scoring writing tone
• A mini checklist to instantly improve your tone

Mini Challenge:
Choose a writing sample you’ve already done — and edit it with today’s tone tips.
Want a teacher’s eye on it? Email Eliza with your writing sample to get one personalized feedback tip!

This episode is especially for you if:

• You’re preparing for TOPIK II and want to improve your writing score
• You want to write more like a native speaker (and not sound too casual or awkward)
• You’re not sure if your essays sound natural or textbook-ish

Ready to get serious about TOPIK II writing?

The TOPIK II Writing Confidence Lab is coming soon — and it’s made for learners who want to build real confidence, write faster, and get feedback on their work.

Join the waitlist now to be the first to know when we open doors:
👉 https://www.joaacademy.com/writing-confidence-lab-waitlist

🎁 Also, want to improve on your vocabulary for TOPIK?

👉Don’t forget to grab Master TOPIK Vocabulary: Essential Words to Level Up from TOPIK I → II
a flashcard-style vocab lists, examples, and practice tips to help you write and speak more naturally for the exam. 🔗 https://www.joaacademy.com/mastertopikvocab

📌 Follow Eliza & Joa Academy
Instagram: @korean.joaacademy
Website: www.joaacademy.com

Struggle with organizing your ideas for TOPIK II Writing?
In this “write-with-me” episode, Eliza walks you step-by-step through a real TOPIK II question using her signature WRITE to BUILD framework — a clear, logical method that helps you write confidently, even when you don’t know where to start.

You’ll learn how to define, explain, and conclude your essay naturally in Korean using five easy steps — and by the end of the episode, you’ll have a full, well-structured paragraph ready to go.

What You’ll Learn

• How to organize your thoughts for TOPIK II Writing (Questions 53–54).
• The WRITE to BUILD framework: Begin – Unpack – Illustrate – List – Draw.
• Real expressions and examples Koreans use in essays and reports.
• A guided writing exercise you can do along with the episode.
• How to build confidence and clarity in your writing — one paragraph at a time.

Practice Prompt from the Episode

Here’s the real TOPIK-style question we wrote together:
📘 ‘환경오염이란 무엇이며, 그것이 인간의 생활에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 설명하시오.’
(Explain what environmental pollution is and how it affects human life.)

And your mini challenge:
📘 ‘재활용이 왜 중요한지, 그리고 사람들이 어떻게 참여할 수 있는지 설명하시오.’
(Explain why recycling is important and how people can participate.)

Use the 5 steps from the BUILD method to structure your answer logically!

Want to Write With Me Live?

Eliza is hosting a free, small-group workshop-style training to help you apply the WRITE to BUILD method to real TOPIK questions.
Only 10 learners will be selected to participate.

Join the waitlist now to get early access:
👉 https://www.joaacademy.com/writing-confidence-lab-waitlist

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.