Koreans learn English through a mix of school education, private academies, self-study, and, more recently, digital platforms. But the process is far from simple. The country invests billions into English education, yet many learners still struggle with basic speaking skills.
So, how are people learning? What works? What doesn’t? Let’s walk through the full picture — from kindergarten classrooms to adult language apps.
English is introduced early, but speaking comes much later
Most Korean students start learning English in elementary school. Some even begin in kindergarten. But what they learn early on is limited to letters, vocabulary, and basic sentence patterns.
Public schools in Korea follow a structured national curriculum. English is a mandatory subject from grade 3 onward. But despite starting early, the emphasis isn’t on speaking or listening. It’s mostly reading comprehension, grammar rules, and test prep.
By the time students hit middle school, they’ve been exposed to English for years. But many still can’t hold a conversation. That’s because the education system teaches about English, not how to use English.
The core of public education is exam-focused English
Let’s be honest — the school system in Korea prepares students for one main thing: college entrance exams. The infamous CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) includes an English section that heavily focuses on:
- Vocabulary recognition
- Reading longer passages
- Grammar multiple-choice
- Error detection
Speaking and writing? They’re almost invisible in this structure.
This creates a gap. Students can recognize complex words and solve test questions. But when they need to introduce themselves or explain something in English, they often freeze. It’s a system built for scores, not fluency.
Private academies (hagwons) fill in the gaps
Because of the weaknesses in public education, most Korean students attend English hagwons (학원)—private language academies — after school. These places teach everything from grammar drills to test prep to conversation classes.
Parents spend billions of won each year on hagwon tuition. In Seoul, it’s not uncommon for middle-class families to spend over ₩500,000 to ₩1 million per month on English education alone.
Some hagwons focus entirely on TOEFL, TOEIC, or SAT prep. Others specialize in teaching phonics or business English. There are conversation hagwons too, but even these often lean toward rehearsed dialogues instead of spontaneous speaking.
The biggest downside? It’s still often passive learning. Students listen, repeat, and memorize. But there’s little room for natural, relaxed conversation.
Memorization is the method
In both schools and hagwons, rote memorization dominates. Students memorize:
- Word lists
- Grammar rules
- Sample test questions
- Model essays
This works well for test scores. But it fails to develop true communication skills.
Language isn’t stored like facts. It’s built through repetition, use, and feedback. That’s why a student who has memorized 5,000 words might still struggle to order food in English. They’ve never used those words in a real context.
And that’s exactly where the system fails — it teaches English as knowledge, not as a habit.
The “silent” classroom culture slows down speaking development
Even when speaking is taught, cultural factors play a role.
Korean classrooms are often quiet and teacher-centered. Students don’t usually interrupt, ask spontaneous questions, or speak freely unless called on. That structure continues into hagwons and even adult classes.
This environment discourages risk-taking, which is essential in language learning. People fear making mistakes. They fear looking silly in front of peers. So they don’t speak — even when they know the answer.
The result? Years of study with minimal speaking confidence.
University students and job seekers turn to certifications like TOEIC
Once students enter university or prepare for job applications, they shift their focus to tests like TOEIC or TOEFL. These scores are often required to graduate or apply for jobs in major companies like Samsung, LG, or Hyundai.
TOEIC is especially common. It’s seen as proof of workplace English ability. But again, it’s mostly reading and listening-based. The test doesn’t require much speaking unless the student takes additional modules.
So, even though many people have TOEIC scores above 800, they still feel awkward speaking out loud. The system rewards silent knowledge over active conversation.
Adults want to learn, but they’re busy and afraid to speak
Many Korean adults want to improve their English. They know it’s important for work, travel, and personal growth. But they also face a new set of challenges:
- Lack of time due to jobs and family
- Fear of judgment for poor pronunciation
- Bad memories from school learning
- Limited chances to use English in daily life
Some try to self-study using YouTube, apps, or Netflix. But without feedback or correction, it’s hard to stay motivated. Passive exposure helps, but it doesn’t build fluency.
That’s why more adults are turning to 전화영어 (phone English). It’s a practical, flexible method where you speak with a tutor directly — usually one-on-one. You don’t need to show your face, which makes shy learners more comfortable.
The digital shift is changing everything
In the last 5–10 years, technology has started reshaping English learning in Korea. Apps, websites, and AI tools are everywhere. But even more impactful is the rise of live, online tutoring.
Platforms now offer 1-on-1 video lessons, where students can talk to native or fluent English speakers from home. This format gives them:
- Personal attention
- Real-time feedback
- Custom learning pace
- Natural speaking practice
This is where 화상영어 (video English) has grown in popularity. Many learners, especially professionals, now prefer this method because they can schedule lessons at night, during lunch breaks, or on weekends — all without leaving home.
It blends technology with real teaching — and that’s the combination that’s finally making speaking a priority.
English is still a must-have for success — and everyone knows it
In Korea, English is more than a language. It’s often seen as a career asset, a status marker, and a gateway to global opportunities.
Job postings, graduate school applications, overseas internships — many require English scores or interviews. Even domestic roles in HR, marketing, engineering, or customer service often ask for “business-level English.”
That’s why people keep learning — even when it’s hard. Even when it feels like a never-ending process. Because they know what’s at stake.
So, how do Koreans learn English today?
Here’s the breakdown:
- Elementary to high school: grammar-heavy, test-based English
- Hagwons (private academies): support for tests, structured speaking, extra grammar
- University years: TOEIC, TOEFL, certification-focused
- Adults: self-study, phone/video tutoring, job-related English
It’s a system built on testing first and speaking second. But that’s slowly changing.
Modern learners are demanding more real communication, more personalized help, and more flexible formats. They want results they can feel — not just numbers on a test.
What’s the smartest way forward?
If you’re in Korea and learning English or planning to support someone who is, here’s what works now:
- Use English daily, not just in class. Speak, even if it’s wrong.
- Find a 1-on-1 tutor who can correct and guide you without judgment.
- Stop aiming for perfection. Aim for communication.
- Use platforms that give feedback. Apps are fine, but human correction is better.
- Be consistent. 15 minutes a day is better than 2 hours once a week.
English fluency isn’t built by memorizing another rule. It’s built through small moments of speaking, listening, adjusting, and trying again.
And now, with flexible options like phone and video lessons, more Koreans are finding new confidence in their English.
Conclusion
They learn it in school. In cram schools. At night. On weekends. With flashcards. Through tests. Through apps. And more recently — through real conversations with real teachers.
The method is evolving. And the results are finally starting to shift. Because when Koreans stop studying English like a subject — and start using it like a skill — everything changes.
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