Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gamecock]

Growing up I heard all these stories of how much harder Asian kids work than American kids, and how superior their education was. Then I went to University and had Korean friends who told me how difficult the Korean education system is.

When I first arrived, I saw that the kids go to school 6 days a week (wow!), go to a hogwan nearly every day, and then have the stress of the idiotic exam system. I thought perhaps all the whining by my kids was justified. But then I started doing the math. Most of my kids start school at 8:30 every day, are out by 12:30 or 1:00 and on Saturdays go until noon.

I went to school from 8:12-3:30 M-F in elementary school. Even tacking on an hour at the hogwan every day, it seems like the time invested is pretty comparable. And seeing that most of their education seems to be centered on rote memorization in the cramming for a successful exam, I'd have to conclude that the idea of a superior education being purported is a myth, if not a joke. Any thoughts

[kangnamdragon]

Well, I'd have to say Korean students do work harder and spend more time in school. The average score for a Korean on an IQ test is 106.

However, compare the economy of Korea with other countries.

Success depends on what you think success is. Some people measure intelligence by the ability to achieve success.

I am not stating an opinion here, just some things to ponder.

[peppermint]

Difficult and quality are too different measurements.

I'd say the Korean system is pretty harsh on kids. Just the constant shuttling from one place ot another is rough, and you're dreaming if you think they only go to one hagwon for an hour a day. I'd say it's at least 3 or four a day, and that's for elementary school kids.

The quality of education is another matter. It's hard to argue with the idea that the Asian system works for things like hard science and mathematics

Maybe the western style is better for things like languages?

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[CanadaCommando]

If by "well ahead" you mean 2 points, you go and be proud!

Honestly, if intelligence could be solely measured by a simple test, life would be a lot more straight forward- ala Gattaca.


The kids I teach are at school from 8:20-3:00...then do their 3-5 hours of hogwan/homework each day. Thats a hella lot more than the kids I taught back home. I would definately say the Korean children have it alot HARDER it school- whether the rote memorisation they have to subsribe to is more beneficial than the more open thought process of N. American schools; that is a whole new subject all together.

[kangnamdragon]

[Dan]

I think that whole IQ thing is a load of crap.

I don't envy the Korean education except in one area. Math.

God, I wish they busted my ass in math, then I could have been a calculus genius and worked on Financial engineering or arbitrage, or advanced physics. Damn this lousy US education.

[weatherman]

Having seen almost all aspects of the Korean education spectrum, Koreans do spend a lot of time at schools. But the study ethic isn't very strong. A lot of wasted time and plain out goofing around. A lot like korean companies. Long hours but not productive in the least. When something important happens they work their tails off. Same for the Korean educational system. Not very productive, and around exam times they study like there is no tomorrow.

[crazylemongirl]

I agree that the kids spend an aweful lot of time at school. I work at a middle school and the kids are there at 8 if they are cleaning duty or by 8.30 if not. Classes end at 3 (4 on friday) and then they have more cleaning duties after school. Plus they come on saturday morning. However between trips away, club days etc. they do get a lot of time off. But on the other hand we had stuff like that in New Zealand schools.

However the killer is the hogwons... they spend far too much time in hogwons and then they come to school tired and not ready to learn. I think too much emphasis is on quanitiy then on quality. I would love for Korea to take even half their money that they spend on hogwons back into the public schools to reduce class size and then let the kids run around and be kids...

[phaedrus]

My nieces' elementary math looked harder than I remember studying in elementary.

English education doesn't seem so superior or difficult.

[kangnamdragon]

[phaedrus]

[kangnamdragon]

True, but French is native to Canadians. English is a new language in Korea, relatively. The Canadian teachers speak French. I have never met a Korean elementary teacher who speaks English well.

[royjones]

just my humble opinion, but back in canada, alot of the asian children did remarkable well in high school and university. this is due in part to their very strong worth ethic and need strive to be the best. I dont think children can go to school for 12hrs a day and absorb the amount of material that is being thrown at them. I think the alot of canadian/american students back home are "unmotivated" when it comes to school work. If these students became motivated and dedicated to school work, I think their "intelligence scores"would be higher.

[kangnamdragon]

also parental pressure is a major factor...