Confucian Influence of Education in Korea

Confucian Influence on Korean Education

Korea vs. U.S. vs. China

U.S.

-Academies < After school clubs/organization

-Many students hold part time jobs starting from high school

-Lack of filial piety

-Emphasis on Alma mater not as heavy

China

-Similar situation in the economy developed area,the place of east coast

-The educational resources problem is more urgent

-Graduation from prestigious universities is not that important

Lynn Ao & Irine Lee

Table of Contents

Brief introduction of education system in Korea

Social Impact

Confucian Influence

-Well-rounded Development

-Education Craze

-Comparison of US, Chinese and Korean teaching methods

Confucianism on Education

craze on education

-"Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?

Social Impact

-Confucianism focus on the all-round education so people always want to learn more.

eg: the university student go to academy for English learning in summer vocation

Hi, you can`t see that. I am busy, man!

study, study and study!

Educational Investment

Score focus

-Living expense: Gangnam ->best schools & more opportunities offered: "Its one of the most important things we can do for our children.”

~"100 thousand US dollar loan to pay for new apartment."

-Estimates 1.5 times of one's income is spent - 70% on private education

-Education long been seen as family’s best way to gain wealth.

-“Korea has no natural resources, the population is around 50 million, that’s a small domestic market compared to the US, Japan or other advanced countries. How can Korea survive? Human capital. Human capital is much more important.”

“the achievement focus” of Confucian

2) – “the achievement focus” of Confucian

-Becoming somebody through education。

-Score become the most important standard to evaluate student.

Source: http://www.asiacalling.kbr68h.com/en/news/south-korea/2961-korean-education-craze-causes-some-families-to-go-broke

Importance of Alma Mater

Korean Education: Past & Present

Korean Education: Past

Korean Education: Past (Joseon Era)

-Relationship (Dating)

-Women particularly discriminate against two year college graduates

-Look for a partner of equal or greater educational achievement

-Occupation

-Paid less, although working the same job

-Less likely to be promoted beyond a certain manager level

-Koryo Dynasty: Educational institution appeared

-Joseon Dynasty: Introduction of The Imperial Civil Examination

-Educational achievement only applied to men

-Education important because sole path to social success

-Civil service exams based on Confucian ideas

Believed "good men" made "good government"

Teaching Method Comparison

Pressure From All Sides

Korean Education: Present

Parent's

-Parent's obsession felt: various lessons, tutor & academy

College

-Scholastic Aptitude Test given only once a year

-Heaviest weight in determining whether you will be accepted/rejected

-Chance of employment & promotion depend heavily on one's Alma mater

Life

-Social norm to be asked one's Alma mater

-Suicide rate due to education pressures

-Education still perceived as best means of achieving success

-Educational attainment: means of judging person's social status, marriage, character, and potential

-Education focuses on school subjects

-In order to be accepted into top ranking schools and high paying jobs

-Stress on enrolling in academies (Hakwon)

Confucianism on education

1 craze on education-- the emphasis of education in Confucianism

eg: the university student go to academy for English learning in summer vocation