[K-Culture] Do U Know? : Korean Educational System!

Finally, I am back with my first blog post today!

I hope you guys wait for this somehow! 

Anyway, today, we are going to talk about the 'Korean Educational System'! 

I've decided to tell you this because I am still a university student in Korea, so I still can remember the whole educational system quite well. 

 

According to the Korean Ministry of Education, the Korean educational system is operated with the 6-3-3-4 system. 

6-3-3-4 ?!

 

Educational Institution	Elementary school	Middle School	High School	University / College
Term	6 grades	3 grades	3rd grades	4th grades/ 2-3 grades

 

In Korea, It is mandatory to complete the courses from elementary school to middle school.

So lately, there are some of the students who tend to leave high school and choose different ways for their future path.

In the 3 rd grade of High School, students have the Korean SAT Test ahead. ( in November ) 

 

By the way, do you know these FACTS about Korean Education? 

Let me tell you the 3 different truths of the Korean Educational System! 

①Usual High School Juniors in Korea study at least  14 hours a day

(from 9 AM to 11 PM)

 

Most of the 3rd-grade highschoolers in Korea have the Korean SAT Test in November. 

They usually study from 9 am to 11 pm at school for the test. 

In addition, after school, some of them take extra classes or study by themselves till early morning like 1 to 3 AM.

Even, it is a test for the high school seniors but, in reality,  some of the elementary school children study for it taking extra private classes in advance.

② There are Long Long Summer & Winter Vacations.

 

 

Almost all institutions from elementary school to university, they are following this cycle, as you can see in the picture above.

Mostly, the 1st semester begins on the 2nd of March and ends in the middle of July, and the summer vacation begins. 

Next, 2nd semester begins at the end of August and ends in the middle to end of December, and lastly, they have winter vacation till the end of February.

So, the Korean students have almost 2 months vacation for each of the summer and winter vacation.

It's pretty long, right?

 

③ There are usually 2 ways to enter university! 

 

(left) interview/ (right) exam

 

To enter university, there are 2 ways to enter university! 

The 1st option is the interview.

Students could apply for the interview selection.

The interview is based on their self-introduction paper with their high school grades.

Some universities sometimes require to have an extra test with the interview sometimes. 

The 2nd option is through the Korean SAT Test.

They could apply for the university with their grades. 

Except for the English subject, most of the subjects are graded on a curve.  ( relative evaluation system)

The grades are decided at a single stroke, so lots of Korean students are passionate and competitive but in the same time, Korean students sometimes feel pressured with the test.

 

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So!

What do you think of the Korean Educational System?

Is it totally different from your countries' educational system?

I hope you to enjoy this 

Thank you so much!