Just came across a news article from Yonhap News Agency (ran on Chosun Ilbo) that the cost of private English kindergartens in Seoul costs anywhere between 10 million - 20 million Korean Won per year in tuition. That comes out to be somewhere between 7,994 USD - 15,987 USD (using 1,251 Won per 1 USD exchange rate, which is today's exchange rate). For comparison purposes, the article cites that the average public university tuition for the year is 4.16 million Korean Won (3,325 USD) per year.
Based on this data, tuition for private English kindergartens cost between 2.4 to 4.8 times that of average public university tuition. The numbers just boggled my mind, but what was even more astounding was that the research also showed some parents spend as much as 70 to 80 million Korean Won (55,955 - 63,949 USD) on the private education of their children before - yes, before - they attend elementary school. Now...things that make you go hmmmm...
I understand Korean economic and corporate structures dictate that one must master a certain level of English to even apply for a job, and I understand why corporations would want someone who can read, write and speak English. After all, about 70% of the Korean economy depends on international trade.
Without any earnest research or extensive thought process, I would like to submit that simply spending preposterous amount of money on private English education, and expensive private education in general, is probably not the correct educational approach.
Speaking of education system, it reminded me of a few postings my good friend Professor Hodges, aka Gypsy Scholar, and I did back and forth a
little while back about corporal 'punishment' in Korean schools and Korean education.
Don't really know what the answer is, but don't think the Korean education system is on the right track, from the looks of it. Yes, I know that the US education system has its own problems and shortfalls (I have friends who can't find Rhode Island on the map), but I would offer that Korean education system is failing in a large way.
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not to think of english course cost . .this is nothing when you would get all . .
learn english usa
What? You know, if you are going to advertise an English language school, at least learn how to correctly write in English prior to attempting to do so.
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