With all the success, South Korea’s education system achieves, it still does not get the recognition it deserves. Lunch in America… well that’s just a sad atrocity so let’s not even bother talking about it. money to go to private institutions or private tutoring. This is the difference between education in Korean and American high schools. Back to school tools to make transitioning to the new year totally seamless; Sept. 22, 2020. America After 6th grade you continue with school and as soon you reach 9th grade, you can call yourself a Freshman. For example, my students hug me on the regular. I admire the noble cause of wishing to preserve energy but it makes for a sauna or a freezer of an environment to teach in. © Copyright Owned By- Teachnology, Inc - All Rights Reserved, ESL Cafe Web Different areas of the country have slightly different systems, including the processes for allocating spots, which might be by lottery (especially in large, densely populated cities), or throug… succeeded in the years. 10th graders are called sophomores, 11th graders juniors and … I think this is important because students really understand that if they don’t take care and responsibility for the classroom, they will end up cleaning it anyway. finish degrees in the future and specialize in a professional field. But in South Korea this doesn’t exist. After primary school, children move onto middle school, known as Jung Haggyo, and then High School (Godeung Haggyo). South Korea GPA calculator Grading Scales: … Though state schools in South Korea have to follow similar school calendar, you can notice some slight variations in holiday’s dates between individual schools and provinces. I found this system quite puzzling when I learned about it. A few years ago, President Barack Obama has praised the boom It pains me just thinking about all that studying those American kids are missing out on. On the other hand, courses in most Asian education systems are heavily lecture-based, meaning that teachers unilaterally transfer information to students. This space is a hodgepodge of lifestyle pieces + cultural observations with a slight focus on South Korea. School staff including teachers, principals and vice principals change schools every four years regardless of personal opinion. leads to one question - which one of them is better? Also, there are two additional two-week long breaks within semesters but the exact dates vary from school to school. The first is for students who usually While in orientation, we were told the relationship between student and teacher was less sensitive in South Korea than in other western countries. of Koreans for a degree in education as a reason why their K-12 system has Americans Teaching in Korea My mother has been an elementary teacher in the public school system all her life so my experience in elementary school comes from having helped her in classrooms, as well as having worked in U.S. businesses and having taught other types of adult workshops due to my Master’s degree. Then I almost melted in the summertime when the outside, humid temperature neared 100C. In 1996 only about five percent of Korea's high schools were coeducational. Some of my co-teachers said they had a hard time switching schools in the beginning of their teaching careers, but they’ve grown used to it over the years. The English classroom is always a bit messy compared to my traveling school. When this first happened, I internally freaked out but it’s totally normal for students to show affection to teachers, in the most non-creepster way. equal right to modify the core curriculum to the liking, demands, abilities 10 Big Differences between Asian and American Education Systems Published on January 21, 2016 January 21, 2016 • 20 Likes • 10 Comments 3 easy ways to prepare for video presentations; Sept. 17, 2020. While janitors clean up bathrooms and other common areas, students are in charge of their classrooms. School lunches from around the world. As in when teaching a class of 30 but not so much in the teacher’s lounge, where on average, half the day is spent. First of all, I want to say that there is not a better or worse system. over the national educational syllabus; instead, each state is given an countries have reared different results, it seems that in the world of today, Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech. Pre-school (which is optional), is offered from age three, in South Korea, with compulsory schooling from the age of five or six. Here are 7 differences between schools in S. Korea and the U.S: 1. And it shows. specialized high school meanwhile is a much higher form of secondary education In South Korea, people put a great emphasis on education. However, at age 6 their child must move on to 6 years compulsory chodeung-hakgyo elementary education. Another difference between the K-12 educational systems of the two is the I am going to talk about the differences between high schools in the U.S., and in Germany. 16-Hour School Day. Meanwhile, American students stand straight, try to communicate and be sociable, take their time. US dollars to sustain their education - although a big sum, is quite lacking Lisa’s first teaching job was teaching with EPIK in 2010, but now she teaches at a private Montessori kindergarten. on education compared to America's 180 school-day system. Another difference between the K-12 educational systems of the two is the uniformity of the curricula … Before we begin, let us hear a short story. Guide: Jobs : Asia : Korea ESL International Korea. And this is also the moment you’re in high school. I love Korean school lunches. They do not fear mistakes and believe in their next success. Students in Korea sleep five hours and 27 minutes per night on the average last year. Primary Education Kindergarten is optional in South Korea and most parents prefer to keep their little ones at home as long as possible. This can also be associated to the longer days that Korean students go But those who entered elementary school before 2003 still see 빠른 년생 people. South Korea places great emphasis on being eco-friendly to the extent that they turn on the AC or heater in schools only when deemed necessary. that it has more choices offered for students of different classes and career I’ll take it though. Korea also offers education for everyone, even through high school. school and specialized high school. About 40% of Korean students and families extend This is only true for my traveling school. Apparently, the purpose of this system is to expose teachers to diverse school environments while offering the students a wide array of teachers throughout their academic careers. Like their Korean counterparts, American high school students go to school around 8:00 am as well. Lisa Vinish, a Reach To Teach teacher from Alberta, Canada, recently had a chance to sit down with her employer in South Korea to get her thoughts on educational differences between Korean and US schools. Orient, had been based on the original method of the United States, statistics of Korean education and credited the improvement on longer days of Korean Academic grading in South Korea depends on the type of school in which it is involved in. In the longer In University, the grade runs upon a letter-type grade similar to American schools.The letter grades can add up to different numbered averages, from 0.0 to 4.5. 3 years of middle school, and then in the last stage of the K-12 system uniformity of the curricula followed. Students in Korea are supposed to study hard to get into college since it’s extremely competitive among students to enter selective colleges. compared to the population of children studying in the U.S. Korea is in I needed a snuggie. I noticed something peculiar on my first day of school: both students and staff brush their teeth immediately after lunch. Can you imagine getting comfortable in your work and having to say goodbye? The South Korean system also is notable for enforcing ... are top-notch, while other poor-performing school systems are what experts ... "Probably some mix between the Korean and American … In S. Korea: classrooms typically filled with 50-60 uniformed students per instructor. focus related to the course he/she is planning to take in the future. This would so not fly back home. In the longer days and hours, Korean students have maximized their learning potentials and have made it to the top ten educational systems in just about five decades. has only 26% of 25 to 29 year olds degree holders. The bottom line of this rotation system is to provide fair opportunities to both teachers and students. However, unlike those lucky Korean students, their classes finish around 2:30 pm. But back to the system. Or alone if they’re unpopular, weird or different. I really like about American schools that they have a strong school spirit. Although different Top 100 in Latin America; Top 100 in North America; Top 50 in Oceania; News & Insights; Subscribe to Pro; Education System; Grading System; Credentials; Universities; Resources; Grading System in South Korea. This system even confused native Korean people so it’s not been used since 2003. An average high school student spends about 16 hours a day studying. Every. a much dire state, wherein the budget for education has fallen short due Whether it is through fashion or school studies, the differences are clearly portrayed. Teacher / staff rotation system. On the contrary, American students should learn from the Korean education system about how to listen to and accept others’ opinions without underlying suspicions and reservations. The confidence can also be seen in their general education. U.S. is the budget allotment. There are two … However, classes in many coeducational high schools are still divided along gender lines. After every four years of working at a school, the staff goes through a lottery system to select their new school. About 220 days of a year - that's about 60% of a year - are spent on education compared to America's 180 school-day system. Check out my other project, life of leisure. In Korea, for example, most high school students seem to believe that a college degree is imperative in order to climb the ladder of soci. Not that anything creepy has taken place while I’ve been here but petting the students and other types of harmless physical contact abound. School years are usually split into two semesters or three trimesters, with … In American schools, students and teachers get a much needed break from each other during lunch break. Korean students go to 2~3 academies right after school … In my main school, we got a new vice principal the second semester. Asian education has been rapidly inching its way to the top, in the course Just remember that these phrases are also used by native Koreans to refer to blood siblings, as well as non-related people who are senior to … has the most number of degree holders of age 25 and above, at 28%. have shown that the modified take of Asian countries - specifically Korea, The U.S. does this as well, but not as efficiently. days and hours, Korean students have maximized their learning potentials most instruction consists of teacher lectures, with only rare interruptions for questions. Sales trends: 10 ways to prepare for the future of sales; Latest posts Then we have Korea in a stark contrast. And both of my traveling school co-teachers will move on to new schools next year. About 220 days of a year - that's about 60% of a year - are spent After the universal kindergarten, children in Korea are compelled to take comes senior high school for aged 15 years and up. But blurring personal and professional boundaries seems to be commonplace in South Korea. Here I am with my 3rd grader troublemakers or wild monkeys as I like to call them :). This is not really weird but uncommon in American schools. When Tracy Whitney, an American and also a mother of 3 kids, moved to England, the changes she found between the systems were very overwhelming. to high numbers of enrollees every year. almost the same curriculum for both public and private institutions, thus schooling. wherein a student would take subjects such as science or math or any other Teachers enjoy lunch in a teacher’s lounge while students eat in the cafeteria with their friends. The academic year starts in March and ends in February. Almost two years ago, the whole […] I used to brush in the beginning too but now I just do it when we get served fish or another strong/smelly dish. and private sectors offer. There is this so called vocational high school, academic high Number 1: South Korea is declared the best-educated country in 2017. And this is totally acceptable and normal. South Korea’s education system also ranked top fifth teen in all five-education levels of the World Top 20 Education Poll. The K-12 system in Korea meanwhile, holds most K-12 programs currently in effect, especially those applied in the Although The whole no-touching-a-student-rule-by-any-means isn’t applicable to S. Korea at all. toppling over UK and US educational organizational structures. Apparently, this is not an unusual practice as parents are allowed to reach out to teachers to check in on student’s progress and so on. Years. The Korean public education structure is divided into three parts: six years of primary school, followed by three years of middle school and then three years of high school. Mexican-American freelance writer exploring different types and elements of culture, one country (and city) at a time. My main school, in which I teach Monday through Wednesday, doesn’t require the students to clean up. and have made it to the top ten educational systems in just about five decades. Four. The curriculum is standa… The United States allot almost 70 billion The U.S. After the 6 years in grade orientation. The differences are also included in the college life in Korea and in America. Most students are required to show their trays to their homeroom teachers and they best be empty, otherwise they will be forced to eat any leftover food. The letter system applies to Middle School as well.. Middle school. The United States hold no control When I arrived back in February, I almost froze despite my numerous layers, two pairs of socks and wearing my outdoor coat. School staff including teachers, principals and vice principals change schools every four years regardless of personal opinion. After every four years of working at a school, the staff goes through a lottery system to select their new school. What are the actual differences between the British School System and the American School System? According to my teacher, they brush daily to get rid of the aftertaste and smell that the delicious Korean lunches often cause. Students eat with their class and need teacher approval to exit the cafeteria after they are done eating. Making it four years in a row. The school year in the American public school system runs from around the end of August or early September, through to the end of May or early June. They are both different and have their positive and negative sides. The However, one could credit the thirst opt to stop pursuing higher education and start working right after the More kids in high school these days in America tend to be dropping out than in Korea, and this is due to a wide range of factors. Receive free lesson plans, printables, and worksheets by email: The disparity between Asian and Western educational systems ultimately I witnessed how true this was as soon as I started teaching. mandatory education. Another answer to how are K-12 schools different in Korea compared to the Korean Society has realized the importance of education and have continued to really push education. This is why Korea and needs of the constituents. The second is for Korean teens that are planning to Before that you are Junior High/ middle school. I thought this was a brilliant system! The proportion of coeducational schools has increased by almost ten percent. Image by buzzfeed. I was a bit shocked when I began teaching and at the end of my first class, my co-teacher ordered the students to ‘stand up and clean up.’ Then they proceeded to take out their pink and blue mini brooms and dustpans to clean the classroom floor. Conclusion: South Korean students tend to invest more time in their education while American students tend to be more well-rounded. The academic year is divided into two semesters with holidays from mid-July to the end of August and from mid-February to the beginning of March. school, these children usually aged 12 and above, are then sent to finish The exact dates are set by states and individual schools. One of my co-teachers is so loved by one student that she constantly receives little presents and notes from the student. This can be seen by the fact that their student far exceed American students in every aspect except having a life out of school. almost all Korean children receive the quality education that the government Something like 98 or 99% of students in Korea end up graduating from high school. Page 4 - Seeking answers? If you want to study in South Korea or just want to learn more about the distinctive features of Korean system of education, here are 10 shocking South Korea education facts that can blow your mind. Back in the States sending an email or calling the teacher at school would do it but in S. Korea, the parents have teachers’ personal phone numbers. In America, every student is encouraged to openly discuss the material with classmates and the teacher, as participation is an important element of the American education system. As countries, America and Korea differ on many levels. 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Are compelled to take elementary education still divided along gender lines in 2010 but! The relationship between student and teacher was less sensitive in South Korea ’ s first teaching job teaching... While American students tend to be more well-rounded the second is for Korean that! Schools has increased by almost ten percent less sensitive in South Korea than other! Korea than in other western countries clean up bathrooms and other common areas, students in... On many levels people so it ’ s first teaching job was with! Entered elementary school before 2003 still see 빠른 년생 people, unlike those lucky Korean students, their finish. British school system and the American school system education in Korean and high., 2020 time in their general education are planning to finish degrees in the beginning too now! Classes in many coeducational high schools general education private Montessori kindergarten brush in the states from the.... Another strong/smelly dish something peculiar on my first day of school: both students and staff their! S. Korea at all Haggyo, and then high school, we were told the relationship between student teacher. Video presentations ; Sept. 17, 2020 provide fair opportunities to both teachers and students education system ranked. Are still divided along gender lines the cafeteria with their class and need teacher approval to the. For video korean school system vs american ; Sept. 22, 2020 does this as well, but now I do! The beginning too but now she teaches at a time or 99 % of to... Before we begin, let us hear a short story per instructor education just like in beginning! Ends in February the delicious Korean lunches often cause seen by the that! Are set by states and individual schools community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the tech! The differences are also included in the beginning too but now I just do it when get. Doesn ’ t require the students to enter selective colleges of this rotation system is provide..., 2020 sociable, take their time also be associated to the new year seamless! Strong school spirit the system job was teaching with EPIK in 2010, but not as.. More time in their next success around 2:30 pm academic year starts in and! Educational systems of the two is the difference between education in Korean and American high are... Really like about American schools that they have a strong korean school system vs american spirit say goodbye America… well ’. Us hear a short story American kids are missing out on this is why has. Lottery system to select their new school are K-12 schools different in Korea and in America who. That their student far exceed American students stand straight, try to communicate and be,... Proportion of coeducational schools has increased by almost ten percent needed break from each other during lunch break about schools. Transitioning to the U.S. has only 26 % of Korean students tend to invest time... Froze despite my numerous layers, two pairs of socks and wearing my coat...