Schools in Korea are rightfully considered one of the most prestigious institutions of secondary education in the world. The successes of South Korean giants such as LG, Hyundai, Samsung and a number of other high-tech brands give an understanding that the approach to the educational process here is special - deep, fundamental and progressive. It is quite logical that therefore the population of South Korea has 542 points on the results of tests of reading literacy, knowledge of science and mathematics - such an assessment of reality is carried out annually by the OECD organization. For comparison, on average in the countries of the European Union, this indicator fluctuates between 489-511 points.
However, this indicator does not take into account education in the context - that is, it does not differentiate between complete and incomplete secondary, secondary specialized and higher education. And, of course, it is the country's universities (primarily engineering and technical faculties and specialties) that have the unprecedented potential that made Korea famous all over the world. It is logical that applicants around the world are thinking about getting real professional skills in this country. But the first step should be just a secondary school in Korea - it is here that the efforts of teachers are focused on preparing graduates for successful entry into the country's universities.
South Korean secondary education system
The specifics of secondary education in the "Asian giant" is not typical for European and Slavic countries:
Ranking of secondary schools in South Korea
The government of the country scrupulously monitors the monitoring of the educational system. Every year, at the end of the academic year, a list of best schools Korea. Two main visual indicators are taken as a basis - the percentage of successfully enrolled in universities and the level of mastery of knowledge based on the results of testing.
In general, all schools in South Korea are ranked annually, but the top five are enough to form an idea of the quality, efficiency and accessibility of secondary education.
! It should be noted that in the top twenty schools of the rating, the ratio of private and state forms ownership of institutions - 10/10.
Russian schools in South Korea
Despite the fact that getting a secondary education in Korea is practically a guarantee for admission to one of the universities in the country, the language barrier very significant - Korean is not easy. An excellent compromise solution to this situation is the Russian school in Korea.
There are several such schools in Seoul and the provinces, all of them teach Russian-speaking children and, in addition to fully mastering the traditional Korean program, high school, special emphasis is placed on deep learning Korean language.
It is worth highlighting schools with many years of experience in preparing Russian-speaking students who have proven themselves in all respects from the best side:
Submission of documents to the secondary school
The enrollment procedure can be carried out both on a competitive basis and on a general basis - the specifics depend on the chosen educational institution. However, in any case, a non-resident of the country (foreign citizen) will necessarily need two documents:
- Properly translated and certified document with information about the success in training from the previous place;
- A study visa covering the desired period of time.
The vast majority of schools accept documents throughout the academic year.
Obtaining secondary education in South Korea: nuances and features
Summing up, it should be said that getting a secondary education in Korea is definitely a significant investment in the future of a child. However, one should rationally weigh all the pros and cons when deciding on his education in South Korea, since immersion in a radically different mental, linguistic and social environment is a serious test for a fragile psyche.
It covers all stages of human development. From an early age, the little citizens of the Land of the Morning Calm study hard. Pre-school education for young Koreans is no less important than special or higher education. After all, it is in the young years that the foundation of the future education in Korea is laid.
Education system of South Korea: general principles
Land of the Morning Calm Lately occupies a leading position in many spheres of human life. The education system of the state is no exception. It is clear, transparent, aimed at the comprehensive development of the individual.
Analyzing the education system in South Korea, we can conclude that its citizens are memorized students. Koreans are able to acquire knowledge for 11-12 hours a day. The main goal of most residents of the state is to get quality education and get a good job.
However, entering a university after graduation is not so easy. Here there is only a bet on knowledge, and no patronage works. Throughout their studies, students diligently perform tasks, set experiments, and conduct experiments on their own. The task of a high school teacher in South Korea is to provide initial information on the subject and direct the student in the right direction. Further, young people are given the opportunity to act independently.
The education system in South Korea is one of the best in the world. As a result, among citizens of other countries it is considered prestigious to study in the Land of Morning Calm.
Pre-school education of the country
The education of the citizens of the country begins from a young age. Modern parents, wanting to stimulate early development their children, they can send their child from the age of three days to a nursery. Here the kids will master the first skills of self-service and communication with others. At the age of three, the first lessons of writing, reading, and counting begin for tomboys. At the same time, a foreign (usually English) language was also introduced into training.
In general, all kindergartens in South Korea are divided into three types:
- Manger.
- middle groups.
- Senior preschoolers.
In addition to the required items, before school education in Korea, it involves physical education, music, the basics of safety, outdoor games and swimming in the pool. Kindergarten teachers regularly meet with the parents of their wards, hold consultations and explanatory conversations with them. It can be concluded that already from infancy, little Koreans learn to take academic knowledge responsibly.
Education in primary school
Schoolchildren in South Korea must go through three stages of education. This visit primary school, middle school and high school.
In the first stage, students must learn such compulsory subjects, How:
- Native language (Korean).
- Foreign language (mainly English).
- Social science.
- Mathematics.
- Music lessons.
- art.
- Physical education.
For the first three years of elementary school, students are the wards of one mentor. Recently, following the trends of technological progress, a robot can come to the aid of a living teacher, which announces the topic of the lesson and sets out the main postulates. In a high-tech country in all educational institutions(from elementary to high school) high-speed Internet is provided.
Another innovation modern education in South Korea - refusal of physical punishment. Until the early 2000s, in order to instill obedience in students, disciplinary duties included hitting with a pointer (individual approach) and group punishment, for example, all the children stand with their hands up for the misconduct of their classmate throughout the lesson.
The modern school of South Korea involves the unification of students of both sexes in one class. Until recently, girls studied separately from boys.
Adolescent education
Primary School includes 6 classes. After completing the first stage of education, students are transferred to the secondary level at the place of residence. There is no need to take entrance exams. The exception is specialized high schools with in-depth study certain subject. For example, in South Korea there are educational institutions that teach gifted children (art, music, etc.).
Secondary school is divided into two levels: the first three years are compulsory for all.
In the secondary school of the Korean education system, in addition to the main subjects, the following are also added:
- Exact sciences- maths, physics.
- aesthetic knowledge.
- Subjects of choice, focusing on future profession.
- Activities that shape the personality of a citizen of the Land of Morning Calm (for example, the history of their people, the study of the political situation, etc.).
A hallmark of a high school student is the wearing of a certain uniform, hairstyle, and shoes. Teenagers have 6 lessons of 45 minutes each, five days a week. Sometimes additional lessons can be added - zero and seventh. Extra-curricular education involves visiting all kinds of circles, tutors. Popular additional activities of school education in Korea are courses general development- music, drawing, traditional calligraphy, ballet. No less important for the formation of the intellect of young Koreans is the mastery of computer literacy.
High school
After reaching the last school level, Korean high school students must complete two stages of education. The first is general education and lasts two years. Such schools do not provide any specialized knowledge. The subjects taught in such institutions will be further studied in institutes and universities.
The second stage of high school in the Korean education system is aimed at mastering a certain specialty. In such educational institutions, there are ratings and difficult exams that students must constantly pass in order to prove their right to study further.
As a continuation of the senior classes in Korea, there are various technical schools and colleges. After them, the educational life of Koreans does not end. Anyone who has graduated from such an institution and received a certain specialty can try his hand and enter a university.
Higher educational institutions of the country
wishing to receive higher education many in South Korea. About 99% of the population dream of studying further after graduating from the first stage of high school. The number of university entrants makes it possible for the country to get into the top ten countries in the world in this indicator. Even Japan and Great Britain come after the Land of Morning Calm.
The training of university graduates in South Korea consists of several stages:
- Bachelor. To obtain a bachelor's degree, you need to study for three years. The exception is students who receive medical education In Korea. Future doctors must study for a bachelor's degree for six years.
- Master's degree. Here you need to study for three or four years. All students applying for a master's degree must defend a dissertation, and future doctors must pass a national examination.
- Doctorate. Applicants for the doctoral degree study on the course for four years. During their studies, future scientists must conduct research and defend a dissertation.
In addition to universities, the higher education system in Korea includes vocational colleges, pedagogical institutes and religious educational institutions.
To enter a higher education institution, high school students must pass final exams and a national exam. Some universities also conduct additional tests for applicants.
The main criterion for further employment is the prestige of the university.
Interesting is the fact that almost 80% of higher educational institutions in Korea are private.
IN state university difficult to do, but possible.
By the way, in the country it is considered a great shame to exile young man from the student ranks or reckoning him to the underachievers.
Employers look at various higher educational institutions in advance and place an order for a particular specialty. At the same time, no patronage will help to get a prestigious job.
Education after universities
After basic studies at an institute or university, yesterday's students have the opportunity to enroll in a magistracy or graduate school. To obtain a master's degree, one must complete six courses in two years and write scientific work which will form the basis for the thesis.
Master's studies, as well as postgraduate studies, are funded by the government's Global scholarship program South Korea. Students receive a scholarship, and all the work of teachers is paid by the state.
There is also tuition on a paid basis after graduation. Its cost ranges from 1.5 to 4.5 thousand dollars.
Having received higher education in South Korea, graduates can continue their studies directly at their native university. The fact is that the state obliged each such institution to open at least one postgraduate and magistracy department. Thus, the image of the country as one of the most enlightened in the world is maintained.
Basic principles of education for citizens of the DPRK
The Soviet school had a huge impact on the organization of education in North Korea. And if today in Russia major changes have been made to school education, then students in the DPRK are forced to follow the old program.
Education system in North Korea includes compulsory levels schooling. This is one kindergarten class, four elementary and six years of high school. Most citizens of the country after receiving secondary education go to work. The wealthier and smarter go to universities.
The subjects of the school curriculum are unpretentious and academic. It's math native language, foreign (mainly Russian or English), geography, literature (native and western), history (domestic and world).
In addition, students are required to attend all kinds of courses: "Communist morality", "Communist Party politics", "The life of the great Kim Il Sung", etc. Such subjects make up no more than 6% of the total program.
All school program subordinated to the basic principles of the policy of the DPRK. For example, the citizens of the country are sure that the Korean War was unleashed not by North, but by South Korea, and abroad people suffer from the "horrors of the capitalist system."
Two Koreas - two education systems: main differences
Analyzing the principles of education of the two countries, the following differences can be seen:
- The entire education system in North Korea is aimed at forming a "gray mass", a person who is not a sovereign individual, but will become a part of the majority of society - citizens who are ready to faithfully serve the party and government.
- All North Koreans have an obligation to be wary of everything American and to hate imperialism.
- Ironically, North Koreans are hostile to their immediate neighbors, the citizens of the Land of Morning Calm. The reason for such contempt is the same desire of South Koreans for everything American.
- Schoolchildren from the age of ten are required to join the Children's Union and wear red ties. This brings the education system even closer to education in the USSR.
- On the contrary, in South Korea, the individuality of a person and his desire to study not for the sake of obligation, but for the sake of his own development, are most welcomed.
- The formation of citizens of the Land of the Morning Calm begins from early childhood. Moreover, special attention is paid to the study of foreign languages. So the state takes care that in the future its citizens will be in demand as specialists in any country, without any particular personal inconvenience. After all, someone who knows the language of the country may not spend money on an interpreter.
- If in North Korea only school education is enough for successful activity, then more than 90% of the citizens of the neighboring country have received higher education.
- North Korea is a fairly militarized country. The first children's toys are usually pistols and tanks.
- Higher education in Korea, in the South, is the goal of all youth, while North Koreans strive to faithfully serve the leadership of the country immediately after graduation.
Education in Korea for foreigners
Education in the Land of the Morning Calm is also open to citizens of other countries. In addition to the exotic nature of Korea, studying for foreign students is also attractive because the state ranks 14th in terms of economic indicators. As a result, the country bears the proud title of the "Asian Tiger".
Education in South Korea is not inferior in quality to education in the most developed countries - Great Britain, Japan, etc. The bulk of foreign students are citizens of the countries of the former Soviet Union.
Education in Korea for Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Kazakhs, etc. is free. Moreover, in some countries (in particular, in Russia), since 2018, applicants can enter a Korean university on the territory of their country, having completed special preparatory courses.
Another important step in preparing for admission to a Korean educational institution is the preparation of a package of documents. Official request in foreign university makes it possible to check the availability curricula for foreigners. Also, upon admission, it is recommended to find out about the existence of grants for training.
The mandatory list of documents for prospective students includes:
- Summary.
- Photocopies of certificates that confirm the level of proficiency foreign language.
- Extract from the educational institution.
- Motivation letter.
To go to Korea to study, you need to open a student visa. This requires the following documents:
- Civil and foreign passports.
- Questionnaire.
- An extract from the bank, which indicates the availability of the required amount of money.
- Photocopies of the certificate and diploma, which are officially certified.
- Statement of admission to a South Korean university.
- Receipts for payment of future studies.
- Insurance medical policy.
- Two photos.
- If the applicant has not reached the age of majority - a birth certificate and parents' permission to leave, certified by a notary.
Dong Di-young
I, Don Di-Yeon, was born in Uzbekistan, in the city of Almalyk, Tashkent region, on February 2, 1998, in a family of teachers. I finished the first grade there, and when my parents moved to Moscow, I entered the second grade at the secondary school No.1086 with an ethno-cultural component of education. This school teaches Korean as a foreign language, along with English, from the first grade. It was very interesting for me to study at the Moscow school. She wasn't a straight A student, but she never got a C. There were always two or three “good” grades per quarter, usually in mathematics and physics. In addition to studying at school, for two years she was engaged in sports and ballroom dancing. I did not have a permanent partner, so I began to study Korean folk dances. In 2009, I was accepted into the Ariran-Rus women's dance ensemble, led by Valeria Son. Before moving to Korea, I was a permanent member of this team. I want to note that I was the youngest dancer, and the choreographer Valeria always put me in the foreground. I love dancing madly, I am always ready to dance. I have many friends in Moscow, Aunt Natasha lives there with her family, my grandfather.
After graduating from the ninth grade, I wanted to continue my studies in South Korea in order to master the knowledge of the Korean language to perfection. Moreover, my parents moved to live there last year, and my brother Vladimir is also studying at the University of Song Gyun Gwan. In the summer of 2014, I was in Korea for the first time as part of an excursion group of students from our school. I did not return to Moscow, I stayed with my parents in Gwangju (Gyeonggi-do), which is near Seoul. There is another city in Korea with this name, but it is far from Seoul. I liked Korea right away, but in the first months I missed my Moscow school friends and relatives. Now I keep in touch with close friends by phone, SMS and Skype. They are interested in how things are going with my studies, how our schools differ, do I like it here or not? This may be of interest to others, so I decided to write to Korean newspapers and magazines published in Russia and other CIS countries, as well as to the KORE SARAM website. Maybe they will publish it somewhere. I will be glad if someone will be interested in reading my note about the beginning of my life in my historical homeland, first of all, the parts related to my studies in high school. 
About my first impressions
So, in order. In Korea, academic year begins not on the first of September, but on the first of March, so I had to go to the tenth grade in a few months. And all this time I studied Korean on my own. My level of knowledge in this subject was very low. Upon arrival in the city of Gwangju, she immediately began to visit the Center for Assistance to Foreigners, where there were also courses in the study of the Korean language. The center was recently organized by the pastor of the Gongjiam Koreain Kehye Church, Moon Sung-do, who works as a high school Korean language teacher. The pastor spends a lot with me individual sessions and initially assisted in the preparation of documents for admission to school and in many other domestic issues. Courses and independent work in language studies gave me the opportunity to successfully pass the language exam for the third gyp (level) in four months.
I go to church every Saturday and Sunday. I am present at the service, in addition to this, I study the Korean language. Group classes last for two hours with a break of ten minutes. Classes are conducted by the pastor of the church, Moon Son Do, who is also a teacher of the Korean language. The third month I work in the church as a volunteer. In Korea, such work is encouraged and taken into account when applying to a university or a job. The pastor instructs me to conduct classes with the students of the elementary group, attracts me as an interpreter. In this regard, I want to tell the last case.
Recently, the police came to the church for a young man who is taking a Korean language course. Since he does not speak Korean well, an interpreter was needed. The pastor recommended me in this capacity, and also as a volunteer. I agreed and we went to the police station. During the interrogation, it turned out that this young man took advantage of someone else's bank card, accidentally left by someone in the cell of an ATM. I bought goods with this card in one store, and then went to another, but the card was already blocked. He simply had to hand over this card to the police, and he decided to use it for himself. He didn't even know that there were surveillance cameras everywhere in Korea. I was invited to the site several times as an interpreter, however, after classes at school. The young man did not admit his guilt and did not repent of his deed. The police took the case to court and he is awaiting punishment. Bad case.
Now I am in the tenth grade at the Gongjiam Kodeun Hakkyo School. All students wear the same school uniform. At first, because of the similar appearance, they did not understand that I was not a South Korean, and when they found out that I was a foreigner and came from Russia, everyone was surprised, they told their friends from other classes about me. Many children came to see me. They know very little about Russia, except that there are very beautiful girls there, it is cold and President Putin. Many became interested in Russia, asking about life in Moscow.
There is no close friendship with my classmates yet, but everyone treats me well, especially since I am a whole year older than them. Here, elders are treated with respect. If necessary, they are happy to provide assistance, give advice and prompt. Bullying or insults are unacceptable, relations are always smooth and friendly.
I want to say that the education system here is different than in Russia. Firstly, in Korea you have to study for 12 years, and secondly, here, studying in the senior (10-12) grades is paid. The school day starts at 9 am and ends at 4 pm. 40min. Then everyone cleans up in assigned areas, I clean the office of the head teacher of the school. He is very good and a kind person, always asks how things are, how I feel in class, whether they offend me or not, and always treats me with sweets. Each student in the class has his own closet, so you do not need to carry heavy textbooks with you, sportswear. Homework is not assigned, but children do a lot of self-education and always attend some courses (hagwon). There, classes can last until midnight, some parents come to meet the children, although it is always calm on the streets.
The work in city libraries is very interesting. They have classrooms for studying, reading fiction, separate computer classes, a buffet and even a lounge. Koreans believe that serious studies require an appropriate atmosphere, and therefore, during the preparation for exams, everyone goes to libraries, which are often overcrowded with visitors and many people study even sitting on the floor.
Students take exams after each term, they usually last one week. When passing exams, classes with children are mixed with each other and examiners with willing parents also change at each exam. In addition to the quarter exams, there are current exams in the form of written work. During the final exams (USE), absolute silence is observed at the school, even cars drive around the building. Holidays in summer are short, only three weeks, in winter children have a rest for two months. The school does not have a cabinet system, each class is permanently assigned one cabinet. The school has a very strict discipline, for being late even for one minute or absence school uniform punished in the form of forced physical labor, there are other forms of punishment.
I like studying in Korea. There is strict discipline here, children do not smoke, do not use foul language, everywhere is order and cleanliness. Schoolchildren study a lot, they practically do not have free time for idle pastime. From childhood they are taught to work. The atmosphere everywhere is such that you involuntarily get drawn into the working rhythm. What I like most about the school is the friendly atmosphere, the atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding. I live in the hope that everything will be fine with me! After all, dreams do come true, right?! Thank you! Good luck to all!!!
Studying in South Korea is an opportunity to get an education that is quoted all over the world, as well as a unique experience of living in a rapidly developing Asian country. According to the Bloomberg index, it is one of the most innovative economies in the world. It is already almost in the top ten, and is ahead of both its Asian neighbors (for example, Japan) and recognized European leaders (for example, Germany). South Korea serves as a bridge between the West and Asia in many ways. There is a recognizable Asian lifestyle here, quite exotic for Europeans. And at the same time, there are many Western features in business, technology, and also in education.
In addition, South Korea is a very beautiful, original, comfortable and safe country. Therefore, studying here attracts foreigners from various countries - more than 100,000 foreign students come to Korea every year. Many of them are prepared in advance by learning Korean. This, of course, helps in adaptation and gives an advantage when entering most Korean universities. In some specialties, studying in another language simply will not work. However, there are also many English-language programs of study, including bachelor's and master's degrees.
Education at universities in South Korea
The Korean education system fully meets the requirements of the Bologna - bachelor's degree (4 years), master's degree (2 years), doctoral studies (3 years). Due to fierce competition in the domestic labor market, all teachers undergo the strictest selection, and the best ones get the right to work in universities. In fact, Korean universities are no different from Western universities, including well-known educational institutions. Their diplomas are listed in Asia (9 universities in South Korea are in the top 50 of the QS RankingsAsia-2017), as well as around the world (for example, 4 South Korean universities are in the top 100 of the QS-2016 ranking, and 2 of them are even in the top 50).
Of the features of studying in Korean universities, several important points should be noted:
- Studies begin twice a year: in March and September. The winter vacation- 3 months (although exams are often held in December), summer holidays 2 months (usually July and August).
- Higher education is paid. Starting with the master's degree, international students can apply for government scholarship as well as some additional scholarships. And although it is theoretically possible to study in South Korea for free, this unique cases. It is much more realistic to count on partial reimbursement of expenses.
- For admission to most Korean universities, IELTS 5.5-6 points for English-language programs is enough, and the presence of a TOPIK level 3 certificate for Korean streams. But you need to take into account the real ranking of the university. Perhaps the formal requirements will be low compared to the high competition, and other applicants will have an advantage because their language certificate scores are higher than the minimum required.
- When evaluating the cost of studying in South Korea, it should be taken into account that foreign students get the opportunity of legal part-time jobs (up to 20 hours a week), which gives about $1,000 in income per month.
On average, when assessing the cost of studying, we recommend focusing on a check of $6,000 for a year of undergraduate study, and at least the same amount for living expenses. This is the lower bar, the upper one is three times higher. The cost of studying in South Korea for a master's degree can reach $20,000 per year. However, when comparing the total cost of studying in South Korea and Western universities of a similar level, South Korea will be much more profitable.
Teaching Korean and English in South Korea
Of course, studying in South Korea for Russian students is often associated with learning the Korean language. Moreover, sometimes this is the purpose of the trip, residence in the country. Full immersion in language environment provides undeniable benefits.
Many educational institutions offer Korean language courses of varying complexity, duration and cost. If we talk about full-fledged training for six months (2 semesters), then you need to start from $ 3000-4000, not counting the cost of living and other personal expenses. As a rule, such education in South Korea is of interest to adult students and is focused on achieving academic goals.
For children from 13 years old there are summer camps and special language schools with full board. The cost of training for 2 weeks, including meals and accommodation, is about $ 1000 -1500.
All this, for the most part, is true not only for learning Korean, but also for English. South Korea is famous big amount and, importantly, high quality their English language schools.
All together - the opportunity to study in Korean and / or English, a wide range of study programs, the unique atmosphere of an Asian country with a rich cultural heritage and advanced technology - and make South Korea so attractive to students from all over the world.
