Understanding the education system is key to grasping Korean culture and society. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for asking questions about schools, curriculum, exams, and the overall structure of education in South Korea, helping you engage in more informed conversations.
Table Of Content
Core Concept
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Expression: 한국 교육 제도에 대해 묻기
Pronunciation: han-guk gyo-yuk je-do-e dae-hae mut-gi
Meaning: Asking about the Korean education system
Basic Questions about the Education System
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Expression: 한국의 교육 제도에 대해 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: han-gu-ge gyo-yuk je-do-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the Korean education system? -
Expression: 한국의 학제는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: han-gu-ge hak-je-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the school system structure in Korea? (e.g., 6-3-3-4 years) -
Expression: 의무 교육 기간은 몇 년인가요?
Pronunciation: ui-mu gyo-yuk gi-ga-neun myeot nyeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How many years is compulsory education? -
Expression: 새 학년은 언제 시작하나요?
Pronunciation: sae hang-nyeon-eun eon-je si-jak-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When does the new school year start? -
Expression: 방학은 보통 언제예요?
Pronunciation: bang-ha-geun bo-tong eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When are the school vacations usually? -
Expression: 공립학교와 사립학교의 차이점은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: gong-rip-hak-gyo-wa sa-rip-hak-gyo-ui cha-i-jeom-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the difference between public and private schools? -
Expression: 한국 교육의 특징은 무엇이라고 생각하세요?
Pronunciation: han-guk gyo-yu-ge teuk-jing-eun mu-eo-si-ra-go saeng-gak-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What do you think are the characteristics of Korean education? -
Expression: 대학교 입학 절차는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: dae-hak-gyo ip-hak jeol-cha-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the university admission process like? -
Expression: 학비는 보통 어느 정도인가요?
Pronunciation: hak-bi-neun bo-tong eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the tuition fee usually? -
Expression: 교육열이 높다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: gyo-yung-nyeol-i nop-da-go deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard that the passion for education is high.
Questions about School Levels
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Expression: 초등학교는 몇 살에 입학하나요?
Pronunciation: cho-deung-hak-gyo-neun myeot sa-re ip-hak-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: At what age do children enter elementary school? -
Expression: 중학교는 몇 학년까지 있나요?
Pronunciation: jung-hak-gyo-neun myeot hang-nyeon-kka-ji in-na-yo?
Meaning: How many grades are there in middle school? -
Expression: 고등학교 종류가 다양한가요?
Pronunciation: go-deung-hak-gyo jong-nyu-ga da-yang-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are there various types of high schools? -
Expression: 특수목적고등학교(특목고)는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: teuk-su-mok-jeok-go-deung-hak-gyo (teung-mok-go)-neun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are special-purpose high schools (Teukmokgo)? -
Expression: 대학교는 보통 4년제인가요?
Pronunciation: dae-hak-gyo-neun bo-tong sa-nyeon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are universities usually four-year programs? -
Expression: 전문대학교는 어떤 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: jeon-mun-dae-hak-gyo-neun eo-tteon go-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of institutions are junior colleges (vocational colleges)? -
Expression: 대학원 과정도 있나요?
Pronunciation: dae-ha-gwon gwa-jeong-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there graduate school programs as well? -
Expression: 유치원은 의무 교육인가요?
Pronunciation: yu-chi-won-eun ui-mu gyo-yu-gin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is kindergarten compulsory education? -
Expression: 고등학교 때 문과와 이과로 나뉘나요?
Pronunciation: go-deung-hak-gyo ttae mun-gwa-wa i-gwa-ro na-nwi-na-yo?
Meaning: Do students split into liberal arts and science tracks in high school? -
Expression: 대학교에서 전공은 언제 선택하나요?
Pronunciation: dae-hak-gyo-e-seo jeon-gong-eun eon-je seon-taek-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When do students choose their major in university?
Questions about Curriculum and Exams
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Expression: 학교에서는 주로 어떤 과목을 배우나요?
Pronunciation: hak-gyo-e-seo-neun ju-ro eo-tteon gwa-mo-geul bae-u-na-yo?
Meaning: What subjects are mainly taught in schools? -
Expression: 영어 교육은 언제부터 시작하나요?
Pronunciation: yeong-eo gyo-yu-geun eon-je-bu-teo si-jak-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When does English education start? -
Expression: 수능 시험이 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: su-neung si-heom-i mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the Suneung exam (College Scholastic Ability Test)? -
Expression: 수능은 얼마나 중요한가요?
Pronunciation: su-neung-eun eol-ma-na jung-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: How important is the Suneung? -
Expression: 학교 시험은 자주 보나요?
Pronunciation: hak-gyo si-heom-eun ja-ju bo-na-yo?
Meaning: Are school exams held frequently? -
Expression: 내신 성적은 무엇을 의미하나요?
Pronunciation: nae-sin seong-jeo-geun mu-eo-seul ui-mi-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What do ‘Naesin’ grades (school report card grades) mean? -
Expression: 과외 활동도 중요한가요?
Pronunciation: gwa-oe hwal-dong-do jung-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are extracurricular activities also important? -
Expression: 학원은 보통 왜 다니나요?
Pronunciation: ha-gwon-eun bo-tong wae da-ni-na-yo?
Meaning: Why do students usually attend hagwons (private academies)? -
Expression: 교과 과정은 전국적으로 동일한가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-gwa gwa-jeong-eun jeon-guk-jeo-geu-ro dong-il-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the curriculum the same nationwide? -
Expression: 체육이나 예술 교육은 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: che-yu-gi-na ye-sul gyo-yu-geun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How about physical education or arts education? -
Expression: 시험 스트레스가 심한 편인가요?
Pronunciation: si-heom seu-teu-re-seu-ga sim-han pyeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is exam stress generally severe?
Korean Culture Notes
High Emphasis on Education (교육열 – gyo-yung-nyeol): Education is highly valued in Korean society, often seen as the primary path to success and social mobility. This intense focus, known as ‘gyoyungnyeol’, drives competition from a young age.
Hagwon Culture (학원 – ha-gwon): Hagwons are private, after-school academies offering supplementary classes in various subjects. Many Korean students attend hagwons late into the evening to gain a competitive edge, especially for university entrance exams.
The Suneung (수능 – su-neung): The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), or Suneung, is a standardized test taken by high school seniors. It plays a crucial role in university admissions and is considered one of the most important days in a young Korean’s life. The entire country often adjusts schedules to minimize disruption on test day.
School Hierarchy: Historically, and still somewhat relevant today, graduating from certain top universities (often referred to as SKY – Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei) is perceived to offer significant advantages in career prospects.
Respect for Teachers (스승의 날 – seu-seung-ui nal): Teachers are traditionally held in high regard. Teacher’s Day (May 15th) is a day when students express gratitude to their teachers, although strict anti-bribery laws have changed the nature of gift-giving.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex, a foreign exchange student, is asking his Korean friend, Minjun, about the Korean education system.
Roles: A: Alex (Foreign Student), B: Minjun (Korean University Student)
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Expression: A: 민준 씨, 한국 교육 제도에 대해 궁금한 게 있어요. 학제가 보통 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: min-jun ssi, han-guk gyo-yuk je-do-e dae-hae gung-geum-han ge i-sseo-yo. hak-je-ga bo-tong eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Minjun, I have some questions about the Korean education system. What is the usual school structure? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 보통 초등학교 6년, 중학교 3년, 고등학교 3년, 그리고 대학교 4년이에요. 이걸 6-3-3-4 제도라고 불러요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. bo-tong cho-deung-hak-gyo yung-nyeon, jung-hak-gyo sam-nyeon, go-deung-hak-gyo sam-nyeon, geu-ri-go dae-hak-gyo sa-nyeon-i-e-yo. i-geol yuk-sam-sam-sa je-do-ra-go bul-leo-yo.
Meaning: Ah, yes. Usually, it’s 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of middle school, 3 years of high school, and then 4 years of university. We call this the 6-3-3-4 system. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요. 고등학교 졸업하고 바로 대학 가는 게 일반적인가요? 수능 시험이 아주 중요하다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo. go-deung-hak-gyo jo-reop-ha-go ba-ro dae-hak ga-neun ge il-ban-jeo-gin-ga-yo? su-neung si-heom-i a-ju jung-yo-ha-da-go deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I see. Is it common to go straight to university after high school graduation? I heard the Suneung exam is very important. -
Expression: B: 네, 대부분 그렇죠. 수능 성적이 대학 입학에 큰 영향을 미쳐요. 그래서 고3 학생들은 수능 준비에 정말 많은 시간을 쏟아요. 학원도 많이 다니고요.
Pronunciation: ne, dae-bu-bun geu-reo-cho. su-neung seong-jeo-gi dae-hak ip-ha-ge keun yeong-hyang-eul mi-cheo-yo. geu-rae-seo go-sam hak-saeng-deu-reun su-neung jun-bi-e jeong-mal ma-neun si-ga-neul sso-da-yo. ha-gwon-do ma-ni da-ni-go-yo.
Meaning: Yes, mostly. Suneung scores greatly influence university admission. That’s why 12th graders spend so much time preparing for it. Many attend hagwons too. -
Expression: A: 학원이요? 아, 밤늦게까지 공부하는 곳 맞죠? 경쟁이 정말 치열하겠네요.
Pronunciation: ha-gwon-i-yo? a, bam-neut-ge-kka-ji gong-bu-ha-neun got mat-jyo? gyeong-jaeng-i jeong-mal chi-yeol-ha-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: Hagwons? Ah, the places where students study late into the night, right? The competition must be really fierce. -
Expression: B: 맞아요. 좋은 대학에 가려는 경쟁이 심해서요. 교육열이 높다는 게 장점도 있지만, 스트레스도 많은 편이에요.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. jo-eun dae-ha-ge ga-ryeo-neun gyeong-jaeng-i sim-hae-seo-yo. gyo-yung-nyeol-i nop-da-neun ge jang-jeom-do it-ji-man, seu-teu-re-seu-do ma-neun pyeon-i-e-yo.
Meaning: That’s right. It’s because the competition to get into good universities is intense. While the high passion for education has advantages, there’s also a lot of stress involved.
Practice Tips
Understanding a country’s education system offers deep cultural insights! Try using these phrases when talking with Korean friends or language partners~ Ask them about their own school experiences. You could ask, “학창 시절에 어떤 과목을 제일 좋아했어요?” (hak-chang si-jeo-re eo-tteon gwa-mo-geul je-il jo-a-hae-sseo-yo? – What subject did you like most during your school days?) or “수능 봤을 때 어땠어요?” (su-neung bwa-sseul ttae eo-ttae-sseo-yo? – How was it when you took the Suneung?). Relating the questions to personal experiences makes the conversation more engaging. Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable discussing complex topics like this in Korean! 파이팅! (pa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
