ESL Lesson on Night Study in Korea:
Night Study, or “야간 자습” in Korean, is a common practice in South Korea, particularly among middle school and high school students. This method of studying involves extended hours of self-study beyond the regular school timetable, often late into the evening. This practice reflects the highly competitive nature of the Korean educational system, where students prepare rigorously for examinations that could determine their career and future. Night Study sessions are usually conducted in school classrooms or private institutions known as “hagwons” and are designed to provide a quiet and structured environment conducive to learning.
Vocabulary:
crucial — of top importance
strain — pressure
to droop — to fall downwards
to scribble — to write carelessly
obsession — too-strong a focus
to outlaw — to ban
zeal — strong desire
slogan — phrase expression an aim
divisive — cause argument
to be entrenched – to hold a fixed position
fanatical — obsession of a fan (see above)
prosperity — increasing standard of living
Night Study Becoming Par for Course in S. Korea
Practice Quiz on Night Study in Korea
Reading and Grammar: Directions: Each of the ten sentences below contains one error.
Identify and correct the error.
Here are ten questions you might consider:
1) A 17-year-old boy drifts into sleep, his head droops into the open textbook in front of him.
2) Around him are sit other teenage South Koreans struggling to stay awake as a tutor scribbles English vocabulary on a blackboard.
3) An almost like-cult devotion to learning has been among the driving forces behind South Korea’s rapid economic development …
4) But concern is growing that the obsession with education has spinned out of control, putting children under stress and families under pressure to pay expensive tuition.
5) The teachings of Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher which stressed the importance of scholarship, influence many East Asian societies.
6) In South Korea, the zeal to learning is reinforced by a belief that knowledge is crucial for the bid to catch up with richer countries such as Japan and stay ahead in China. (Sentence contains three similar errors)
7) A slogan on the wall in Yang’s English class reading: “Accomplish your dreams.”
8) But dream come at a price: His hagwon* fees are $280 a week.
9) Lee Hang Soo, vice president of Yang’s hagwon, says the school provides aid to child from poor families.
10) But he acknowledges which South Korea’s education system is divisive.
*Korean Institute
Frequently Asked Questions about Night Study in Korea
Night Study sessions are intended to help students manage and excel in their academic workload. These extended hours provide a supervised environment that minimizes distractions and maximizes focus on studies, crucial for preparing for competitive exams like the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).
While common, Night Study is not mandatory in all schools. Its implementation can vary significantly depending on the school’s policy and the educational level of the students. In many cases, participation is voluntary, though strongly encouraged by academic institutions.
Night Study sessions can last until 10 PM or later, depending on the institution and the time of year. During exam periods, sessions might extend even later to allow students more time to prepare.
Students who participate in Night Study often benefit from the structured study time, access to additional resources like tutors or teachers, and the ability to collaborate with peers. This can lead to improved academic performance and better preparation for critical exams.
Yes, international students are generally allowed to participate in Night Study sessions if they are enrolled in a Korean school. This can be an excellent way for them to immerse themselves in the educational culture of Korea and enhance their language skills and academic knowledge.
Answer Key:
1) droops should be drooping
2) are sit should be sit
3) like-cult should be cult-like
4) spinned should be spun
5) which should be who or that
6) to should be for; for should be to; for should be to
7) reading should be reads
8) dream should be dreams
9) child should be children
10) which should be that