Dear Sal,
Once a term, for one whole week the students of my hagwon are subjected to the agonizing horror that is, the level up test. This standardized test measures each and every child of various levels of skills and ages and decides if they meet countries predetermined score standard. If they do then wonderful, but if they don't... may God have mercy on their soul.
The children absolutely detest it, and I can understand why. There is so much pressure put on the shoulders of these tiny children to score extremely well. Not just at the national average but above it, and above their friends. This is mostly down to the parents. Last week I had a meeting with one of the Korean teachers to give a verbal student report. We got a little off topic and she told me all about how competitive the parents of the children really are, and how much they urge their children to succeed. They have every thing planned out for them from their future, their dinner and even which level they will move up to next term. Despite whatever grade these children do achieve after their level up test, these pushy parents will argue and moan until their child is a level above their friends/rivals. That just so happens to be a level above what the child is actually capable of, leading to more pressure. But, this is a business after all, and the customer is always right...
The Korean education system does have its problems, as do so many other countries. This world of pushy parents, peer pressure and seemingly never ending tests does have it's good side. Just look at Koreans test scores, which are some of the best in the world. However, they come at the cost of losing individuality, innovation and not to mention an alarmingly high rate of teen suicides.
I feel like a giant hypocrite working within a system that I don't necessarily agree with. But if I can make the chore of coming to academy enjoyable as they learn and I get paid well for it, then I can't complain too much. After all money makes the world go round and whats the best way to get money? A good education, or a lottery win.
Love, hugs and only 30 minutes of time left.
Samuel James.
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