'English kindergarten' tuition more expensive than university

In a report published on September 25th, the World Without Worry About Private Education (WWWAPE, South Korea) stated that the average annual tuition for "English-language kindergartens" in Seoul reached 15.72 million won (over 295 million VND) in 2023, which is 2-3 times higher than the average university tuition of 6.78 million won/year (over 127 million VND), according to the Korea Herald .

The number of English-language kindergartens in Seoul increased to 333 in 2023, compared to 329 the previous year. The average monthly tuition (2023) was 1.31 million won, a 10.2% increase from 1.18 million won (2022).

According to Korean law, English-language kindergartens are only recognized as language academies, not kindergartens.

The WWWAPE report also shows that 333 English-language kindergartens provide more than 60 hours of instruction per month, with an average daily teaching time of 5 hours and 29 minutes.

Among the five most expensive English-language kindergartens, three are located in Seocho-gu district, Seoul. In Seocho-gu alone, one school charges over 3 million won per month, meaning its annual tuition is 5.5 times higher than that of a university.

English-language preschools target young children, typically ages 2-6, before they enter primary school. The program is designed as a comprehensive English-language education , encompassing a variety of subjects combined with early childhood care in an intensive English-speaking environment, primarily taught by native English-speaking teachers.

However, according to South Korea's current early childhood education law, these English-language kindergartens are actually classified as language academies, not kindergartens.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hoc-phi-truong-mau-giao-tieng-anh-dat-hon-dai-hoc-185240928235342849.htm