A Failing Education System: Korean Education

While majoring in East Asian Studies at the University of Kansas I have been granted many opportunities to study the situation of South Koreas political, social, and cultural practices. Consequently, I have researched and written numerous papers, including my undergraduate thesis, on the influence of English language acquisition among South Korean college and elementary students. One of the most profound conclusions regarding English education in South Korea that I have come across is its direct correlation with the future and success of young/adolescent English learners. Whether young Korean students are preparing for college entrance exams, making arrangements to study abroad, or entering the workforce, English is a driving force behind

Although China’s influence over Korea has waned severely since the dynastic years we find the Confucian system of virtues and behaviors, China’s chief export from that time, still very much alive. Korea highly values the extended family, education, personal discipline and public order. In South Korea Confucian temples continue to be maintained throughout the country. The tenets of Confucianism are seen as antidotes to social ills and therefore education is thought of as a means of building character, not simply of intellectual formation. The values of Confucianism are promulgated throughout Korea in places as diverse as school, the office and the home. Television programs often portray Confucian merits such as filial piety and harmony. However

South Korea and America are two pressing and influential countries in the world, both with an expressible different history back grounds and present day cultural life style. While most of South Korea is notably similar to America in architect and popular culture, there are some huge divergences in our education system such as classroom atmosphere and student conduct, what a prototypical school day looks like and how many hours we study, and our college placement assessments.

“Each household pays 288.000 Won (about 250 USD monthly), which is about 8 percent of household income, for their children’s private tutoring. As a whole, Korea spends about 2.2 percent of GDP on private tutoring.” (Nakamura 43). The aspiring universities are usually located in the capital and big cities, which are the center of business trading and academic training. It is not surprised when lots of parents want their children to study and achieve academically in there. For instance, in South Korea, the capital Seoul has been a place for people who wanted to work in academia or government. “Many parents in rural areas or small cities have been sending their children to schools in bigger towns or large cities. As people, especially younger generations, move to Seoul to study or work and then settle in/near Seoul metropolitan area, rural areas are becoming “empty nests.” Schools in rural parts of Korea are now being closed in rural parts of Korea due to an extremely low number (or none) of school-age students; meanwhile, many schools in Seoul and vicinity are overcrowded.” (Nakamura 33). After graduating, students will also face with a tight contest of getting a good job with the limited number of positions. One of the qualifications required by most employers is English proficiency, which is evaluated through some exams such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEIC (Test of English for

America’s education system is a disaster and the government has over the years spent millions on fixing the education system. The government has failed in fixing the education system because they are not the real people who can fix it. The government has made many different programs to fix the education system, like the No Child left behind program. Most people blame the government for spending millions to fix the education system and failing. What our society does not understand is that the government can only fix so much. It is time for all students, parents, and teachers to take responsibly and fix the education system in the way they want. Students, parents and teachers can make the education system better by students taking control of their own education, parents who care for their kid’s education and teachers who make amazing learning environment for their students.

Parents are also much more strict on the children's education than then U.S parents. As stated by Eric, “Most Korean parents saw themselves as coaches, while American parents tended to act more like cheerleaders.” (pg.110) Parents in South Korea are more involved their children's education, while parents in the U.S are more involved in sports and clubs. Students in South Korea only focus on their education, they don't get involved with sports or any other activity that won't help their

The American educational system has proven to be insufficient in training our children to be well rounded citizens. With so much emphasis placed upon standardized testing, there is little room for personal growth and individuality; instead, our current classroom design forces kids to remain in a box rather than teaching them how to work with their strengths and weaknesses as individuals. With so much emphasis placed upon memorization and drilling, important aspects of childhood development, such as critical thought and the cultivation of creativity, have been abandoned. Rather than instilling a sense of accomplishment and motivation in our students, the educational system has become a force of fear as futures are determined by a test score.

However, this creative spirit is quickly lost as students progress through their years in education, where independent thought is second to memorization and repetition. While vocabulary quizzes are common, this expansive vocabulary is rarely utilized in creative writing but rather regurgitated on the SAT examination. Instead of exploring the ways math could be used in various careers that students might pursue, math classes require memorization of trigonometric angles. In ethics class, instead of presenting one’s own views and providing support for these views, a student is expected to simply repeat what was said in class, whether the student agrees with these opinions or not. However, anyone can simply repeat back previously provided information and duplicate past processes. Education should be about finding creative new solutions to problems in the world today and encouraging individual thought that will change the world in the future. In order to improve the world, it is necessary to think of new solutions to problems. Creativity is necessary to come up with these solutions, and by stifling creative thought in education, educators are also stifling progress in the world. The goal of education is to prepare students for the rest of life, and educators are obligated to encourage creativity in order to achieve this

When I was my 15 years, I watched my first Korean dorama. Then I did not know how it would exert an impact on my fate and view of life. This was the world-famous “Boys over flowers”, which became an occasion of my acquaintance with the country of morning freshness. I strongly believe that my life transformed for better and blossomed after watching this Korean dorama was watched by everyone, from the youngest to the oldest. It drew me in this world – the world of Korean drama, Korean pop and Korean cinema. Knowledge about Korea was increasing more and more gradually and new sides of Korea were opened. I found out the country is famous not only of the Korean wave, Hallyu, but also of kimchi, various traditional food, colorful nature and combination of tradition and modernity. And some pieces of the Korean culture and language are quite similar

South Korea’s social structure revolves around the individual’s professional, family, and education background. People who have attained prestigious job titles, graduated from a first-rate university, or was born into an influential family are placed very high on the social structure. People who do not have a respectable education background are usually on the bottom of the status pole; however, it is possible for social mobility. The South Korean education system is similar to the one in the United States. Even though the years of attendance might be dissimilar from the US, the education system still consists of an elementary, middle, and high school. After graduating from high school, most students apply and attend universities from all across the nation.

To be advanced and successful in one’s life, higher position and income are essential, and it indicates the need of higher education. Gradually, more and more people in the world are pursuing to earn a higher degree to improve their lives. Then, how is this education working in our society? This paper will illustrate, based on my observation and experience in Korea, how education system is operating and influencing on human beings in a sociological perspective.

Ten years ago South Korea was at the height of its demand for English teachers. It had a nearly insatiable appetite for teachers as they rightly believe education makes a substantial difference in the future of their children and nation. A mere twenty years ago Korea was just beginning to let the world know that it was no longer a third world nation. Ten years ago it was at the height of its economy. This was the golden age of its educational market. With a mere bachelor 's one could access a decent income. Jobs were so plentiful that the hours were great and even universities were hiring with wild abandon.

Asian cultures vary in a variety of ways, not just when compared to western cultures, but also when compared amongst themselves. The Angelo State University campus gets to sample what the culture in South Korea is actually like due to the numerous exchange students. Through working as a Resident Assistant, opportunities to learn bits and pieces of their culture consistently presented themselves. In W.S.’s (1969) research depicts respect as the major factor of any, if not all, Korean relationships. This is due to the large reliance of hierarchy taught and passed down generation after generation, and is commonly known as ‘saving face.’ There are few limitations on the efforts and pressure to keep honor in their family name, bringing little to no disrespect in any endeavors. So in times of hardship, it is common to see students avoid eye contact and stare downwards as a sign of respect; this also relates to the feeling that they are unworthy of making eye contact with the person in authority.

My return to Korea in the summer of 2001 was nothing short of a culture shock. I was in a country I thought I had learned by heart. It was the country I always rooted my identity and pride from. I wasn’t ready for the shock. I

My home country Korea has a reputation for its intense education system. When I was in high school, I used to go to school at 7am, finish class at 4pm, and have self-study time in school until 10pm. The main reason I needed to study that long was because of math and especially Calculus. Calculus took more than half of the math course and therefore was a crucial subject. Experiencing Korean Calculus course is not an experience most students here in Miami can have, so I would like to introduce what is what like, how it was different from MTH 151, and what I learned through the experience.