Understanding the Importance of English Education in South Korea and Exploring the Reasons Why South Korean Students Come to a University in the Midwest

The size and expense of English education in South Korea.  The size of the 
educational market in South Korea has constantly grown since the Ministry of Education 
and Human Resources Development lowered the age of beginning to study English from 
the first year in junior high to the third grade in elementary school in 1997.  According to 
Yonhap News Agency (2010), “Spending on private education for elementary, middle 
and high school students amounted to an estimated 21.6 trillion won (US $18.8 billion) in 
2009, up 3.4 percent in 2010” (p. 1).  Based upon the above statistical information, South 
Korea might spend approximately $19.44 billion for private education in 2010.  The U.S. 
Department of State stated, “[T]he annual budget of South Korea was $227.2 billion in 
2009” (2010).  Comparing the 2009 private education expense to the annual budget of the 
South Korean government shows that South Korea spent billions of dollars on private 

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education in 2009, and this shows how much the South Korean government thinks about 
the importance of the educational sector. 
The next section discusses how much South Korea spends on English education. 
The article, The English Frenzy in Korea, by KBS stated: 
The scope of the English-language education market in Korea reaches 4-5 trillion 
won “(approximately 3.697 billion U.S. dollars)” annually, including private 
institutes, textbooks and overseas language programs. “In 2008, the Ministry of 
Education and Human Resources Development estimates that the official number 
of English-language private institutes nationwide surpasses 3,000.”  But people in 
the private education industry say the actual number of private English institutes 
nationwide is at least 10,000, with their profits exceeding 2 trillion won 
“(approximately 1.848 billion U.S dollars).” (2008) 
 
Because the above article was published in 2008, the size of the English educational 
market in South Korea should be much larger now.  Comparing the approximate 2010 
South Korea private education budget (US $19.44 billion) to the 2008 English-language 
education market (US $3.697 billion) in South Korea, South Korea spent approximately 
19% of its private education budget on English-language education between 2008 and 
2010.  Moreover, many unreported educational costs could have come out of pocket from 
the South Korean government and families. Therefore, large sums of money are being 
spent on English education in South Korea currently. 
As previously stated, many South Korean students invest their money and time to 
study English.  In other words, 99 out of 100 college students are willing to invest in the 
private educational programs after finishing the English classes.  They spend more than 
$400 per month for taking English classes and tutoring services.  Some junior or senior 
students would also like to study abroad in America, Australia, England, and Canada.  

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They will spend at least $10,000 for tuition and living expenses for six months or more 
while living abroad.  The Korea Broadcasting System (2008) stated: 
The amount of private tutoring costs paid by students for overseas language 
courses or for studying [Test of English as a Foreign Language] TOEFL and [Test 
of English for International Communication] TOEIC in order to find a job is 
enormous as well.  After polling 2,348 college seniors, the School of Education of 
Ewha Women’s University found that each of the respondents spent 12.61 million 
won ($11,714.69) over four years on average on private education in order to find 
a job. Of that, 11.94 million won ($11,092.26) was spent on studying English. 
(p. 1) 
 
As described above, some of the students already went to English-speaking countries to 
become proficient in English.  Furthermore, many of them may consider studying abroad 
in America, Canada, English, and Australia.  
Some students would stay in South Korea and register at English institutes, such 
as the Wall-Street Institute, SDA Institute, Global Institute, YBM, and Hackers, which are 
renowned in South Korea.  Most English-speaking institutes charge $200 per month.  
These costs only include learning of basic conversational English speaking skills; 
especially, these institutes do not focus on English academic or writing skills.  
Furthermore, students who attend TOFEL or TOEIC institutes, such as YBM and Hackers, 
are charged $550 a month.  Consequently, if a student attends both institutes, he or she 
will pay at least $800 a month in South Korea.  In addition, as described above, most 
conglomerate corporations require English proficiency tests, such as TOEIC, TOEFL, 
TEPS, and OPIc, and all applicants should take each test before applying for their jobs.  
The cost of each test is $100 or more. If a student takes the tests at least two or three 
times, the student will pay $200 or $300 for each of those tests. 

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