Podcast
Questions and Answers
The government employees in Seoul are looking for badly behaving teenagers at night.
The government employees in Seoul are looking for badly behaving teenagers at night.
False
All students in South Korea get a place in one of the top universities.
All students in South Korea get a place in one of the top universities.
False
The school day in South Korea starts at 6 a.m.
The school day in South Korea starts at 6 a.m.
False
Most students in South Korea attend a private academy called hagwon after school.
Most students in South Korea attend a private academy called hagwon after school.
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A year's course at a hagwon costs, on average, $1,000 per student.
A year's course at a hagwon costs, on average, $1,000 per student.
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There are more school teachers than private tutors in Seoul.
There are more school teachers than private tutors in Seoul.
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Some parents in South Korea rely on private tutoring to get their children into a university.
Some parents in South Korea rely on private tutoring to get their children into a university.
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Students in South Korean high schools have a balance between studying and extracurricular activities.
Students in South Korean high schools have a balance between studying and extracurricular activities.
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It is a rare sight to see a teacher explaining the lesson while a third of the students are asleep on their desks.
It is a rare sight to see a teacher explaining the lesson while a third of the students are asleep on their desks.
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There are no special pillows designed for sleeping in class in South Korea.
There are no special pillows designed for sleeping in class in South Korea.
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Study Notes
Education in South Korea
- Education in South Korea is extremely competitive, with the goal of getting into top universities driving students to study extensively.
- The school day typically starts at 8 a.m. and ends between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. due to additional private academy (hagwon) classes.
Hagwons and Private Tutoring
- Around 74% of students attend a hagwon after regular school classes, with an average annual cost of $2,600 per student.
- In Seoul, there are more private tutors than school teachers, with popular tutors earning millions of dollars per year.
- Many parents rely on private tutoring to secure their children's spots in top universities.
Student Lifestyle and Challenges
- Students in South Korean high schools typically spend their time studying and sleeping, leading to exhaustion and sleep deprivation.
- It's common for students to fall asleep in class, and teachers often don't intervene.
- Special pillows are even sold to make sleeping in class more comfortable.
Government Reforms
- The government has implemented reforms, requiring teachers to meet certain standards or take additional training courses.
- The biggest challenge for the government is regulating hagwons, which have been banned from holding classes after 10 p.m.
- Street patrols are conducted to enforce this rule, and offenders are punished, with students sent home.
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Description
Learn about the competitive education system in South Korea, where students strive to get into top universities. Discover how late-night studying is a norm for students and how government employees intervene to ensure students' well-being.
