Is South Korea Obsessed with Education?
By leighz
@leighz (456)
April 16, 2012 11:48am CST
Hi guys, I just wanted to get your opinion on this.
I have a part-time job of teaching Korean kids English online. Each class lasts for 10 to 20 minutes. For those kids who chose free talking, I get to ask them of what their usual activities are, how they spent their weekend etc. I always get the answer..."After school, I went to the Academy", "It was boring, last Saturday I went to the Academy" or "On weekdays, after class I go to the Academy. On weekends, I have piano lessons". Oh, by the way an Academy is like a tutorial center, as I understand it. It's not for free, not necessarily associated with the school that the students go to. On top of that, they have English class with us everyday.
It made me think, South Korea is one of the most successful nations in this century. Parents really invest on their children's education in that country. But is this too much for the kids to take?
Is this government mandated? I was just wondering, how stressful that could be. Here in the Philippines, kids don't do a lot of studying. They came out OK.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@grazmaniandevil (379)
•
16 Apr 12
I guess that's why when you're asian (specifically one with Chinese/Jap/Korean blood) American's tend to think their grades are all A's. Parent's are strict and expect a lot from their grades. I don't know their life in Korea but on my sole basis from Asian expectations, I believe this says it all. In Philippines, which I am a proud Filipina too..:) We just come out OK and that's how slow our growth could be. I can see almost all kids would rather watch teledrama's all night long, get a hold on their cellphone and surf the net than books on their hands. I'm no communist in education or a tyrant against the modern age but thinking about it, Most of our female's now get pregnant before having their 18th debut or men being young dad before landing a suitable job. Or most of my colleagues as young professionals can horridly even write or speak fluent english or a bit of appreciation on logic and literature. They end up being contented with their minority jobs and being run by another foreign manager. I also have experience as a Human Resource Officer, and with our growing unemployment rate I conduct thousands of interviews per week: Asking them their talents, hobbies, leisure and dreams -- from 1000 interviewees, I can say a number of 30 could answer those questions well. The rest can't say what talents they possess noting they come from good colleges yet I have seen once who are less fortunate in education yet fonds ways to gather knowledge and continue their course can answer this saying "self-taught guitar", learn to sew clothes and the lastly, "that can sing well". This is because they know the areas where they can focus and without much distraction, they know where to go.
@leighz (456)
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17 Apr 12
I agree with all that you've mentioned. Check out all Asian kids on YouTube who have lots of subscribers, they have talents beyond the roof. Jeremy Lin, got a degree from Harvard, not to mention he's one of the top players in the NBA. Ryan Higa, used to take up nuclear medicine but was well known for creating incredible skits, that earned him the rights of being a YouTube star. His bestfriend Kevin Wu, and the guys from WongFu Productions are as smart and talented as him. There's also this kid who plays guitar unlike any guitar guru on earth. One thing they have in common, they're all "Singkit". And in their culture, whether they were raised in the States or in their country of origin, their parents always instill in them the importance of education. Filipino kids raised abroad, always showcase their talents and therefore excel in it, they also excel at school. I think part of the reason why they do so, is they see the importance of education through their parents success.
Here in the Philippines we all have the "Bahala na" mentality. We love mediocrity, I'm guilty of that. I for instance, was never forced to explore my potential when I was young. I settled as being average, for all I care. When I was working, I realized there's a lot of opportunities being offered for those who excel. When I got the position I wanted, I didn't like the stress and pressure that came with it. I wish the jobs we have, working in a corporate office, is as easy as that of working in the government.
Anyway, I seldom see parents in the Philippines who supports their children or influence their kids to study. I have a cousin who goes to the Philippine Science High school, she is the first in the family to pass and be accepted in that school. We are really proud of her. I can say, her mom is a big influence. She's an educator in her own rights. She holds a position in one of the government's department, which focuses on training and development of people in a community.
Having said all these, I hope that we also take part in promoting education but having kids enjoy their own time as well.
@Cherish14 (2693)
• Philippines
17 Apr 12
well it is an advantage for them because they get to have as much knowledge as they can acquire. it may be very stressful for kids but i guess it is better they spend their time studying rather than to something else.
i also like the fact that they are really eager to learn English. i have also experienced tutoring a Korean. she was my roommate and she asked me if i could be her private tutor and i said it was okay. but i don't know where she is now, it was way back 2006.
yeah i agree it is one of the most successful countries and i would love to go visit it someday.
@Cherish14 (2693)
• Philippines
18 Apr 12
yeah i wish i could have added her on Facebook but i can't even remember her name LOL. it was in 2006 and Facebook isn't even known that time or i don't know if it even existed already. i want to work my butt off to save and go there but i am torn between Korea and Japan. i just wanted to see Korea and learn about the country and i have been wanting to go there ever since but in Japan, i wanted to visit a friend.
@leighz (456)
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18 Apr 12
LOL yeah, we were still into FRIENDSTER at that time. Oh if that's the case, go visit Japan first. I bet your friend will be so excited to show you around. Plus you have a place to stay for free, that's the best part :)
You can also check, travel discount tour offers in metrodeal or ensogo. Tigerairways.com also offers very low rates in airfare. Me too, I work hard to earn extra. I sell stuff, I'm active in myLot, I have this teaching thing as a part time job. I'm currently looking into getting a full time job. Checking around for better salary rates.
Share some pictures when you go travel OK?
@leighz (456)
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17 Apr 12
Cool! Speaking of visiting Korea, I'm dying to go there. I want to experience their culture and learn their language as well. The kids I teach are really nice and most of the parents I talk to are humble.
I hope you can get in touch with your friend, maybe you can search her on facebook or twitter. Then you can visit her in Korea. I also learned that korean students who go to school here in the Philippines hire someone just to converse with. They usually meet up on cafe's and spend two hours just having regular conversations. That's how serious they want to learn.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
17 Apr 12
I have heard this too! Children of Asian countries are determined to get ahead by studying hard. The parents of these children have seen the writing on the wall! They have been poorly educated, but they know the only way up is through education and hard work. Already the USA is finding it hard to keep ahead of China, India, and Indonesia in high Tech. More and more hi Tech companies are moving to east Asia for this very reason, while at the same time, Western parents are allowing their kids to watch TV and play video games in lieu of education.
@leighz (456)
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17 Apr 12
Wow, thanks for the great input. Yes, you're right, when it comes to technology the West is seeking help, if not completely relying to the expertise of Asians. Japan, China, Korea, India are among the top Asian countries who excel in this field. I'm not sure if it's right to say, that in the West parents are not completely in control of their children. Not that all of them aren't good in parenting, there's just a difference in culture. Asians are more obedient to their parents or with the elders in general. So when they say "Don't watch too much T.V., your grandmother will be upset if you will get low grades". The child will not hesitate to obey, for she respects and loves her grandmother.
@ryanong (9665)
• Vietnam
17 Apr 12
Well, it is normal in Asia, not only in Korea, in vietnam is same. Kids, especially in the big city, often have to go class in the morning, go to extra class in the evening, and do homework at the evening, sometime, till 10 pm, they havent's finished their homework yet then their parent should help them to do it, if not kids may get low grade.
Most parents think that it is very good for their kids' future is their kid should be successful in study and then go to university to become a doctor, a teacher, etc...later. If kids don't have a good degree, it will be very hard for their life later. Somehow, their thinking is totally right because it is not easy to find a job with good salary if you don't have a good degree in here, Asia. If you just complete high school degree, you can do handwork only and of course it is hard work with a little money.
However in my opinion, kids should play much more than study. Then they can learn step by step through their playing. We just let them study in the class only, out of that time, kids can play, going out, visiting exhibitions, etc...
@polaroidsredwine (509)
• United States
17 Apr 12
It's actually kind of similar in China and Japan, too. It makes me wonder how kids don't just keel over from all of the stress they have from so much studying they have to do! I probably would've had a bit of a breakdown, having all that workload on my shoulders. I know in Japan, students go absolutely crazy around the time entrance exams happen (for both high school and college).
Over here in the US, a kid gets straight A's, most parents are satisfied. Some extracurriculars don't hurt, either, but having so much cram school and such tossed on would probably be considered overkill.
@polaroidsredwine (509)
• United States
17 Apr 12
Aaah, well, I'm sure they have plenty of happy school memories - it's more that they're probably going to look back and cringe at all the studying they had to do.
@leighz (456)
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17 Apr 12
Yes, they actually spend extra 5 hours a day in tutorial centers if their exam is close. You're right, having to go to all these classes is an overkill. I wonder if they have happy memories of school.
Wow nice to hear that. It's always good to hear about parents being contented with their children performing good at school.
