96% of Private Kindergartens Offer English Classes

Written by Writer on Saturday, October 25th, 2008

96% of Private Kindergartens Offer English Classes

Nearly all private kindergartens run English classes, Rep. Choi Jae-sung of the Democratic Party said Thursday. Choi conducted a survey of 274 private kindergartens across the country and found that 262 or 96 percent provide English classes.

The monthly tuition for English classes averaged at 25,000 won per child. The kindergartens were found to have invested an average 2.7 million won for English education facilities. Also, 44 percent of them had native English speakers.

Choi said there are many unqualified English-speaking teachers at the kindergartens. “We’ve found that many kindergartens are hiring questionable foreign teachers,’’ Choi said.

Asked why they provide English classes, 66 percent raised “demands from parents,’‘ 13.4 percent contributed it to “competition with other kindergartens,’‘ and 10.3 percent said the “government’s policy strengthening English education.’‘

“More and more English education institutes for preschoolers have sprung up, shouldering parents with higher costs,’’ Choi said.

kswho@koreatimes.co.kr
The Korea Times
10-24-2008