A recent survey has revealed that South Korean mothers send their kids to English classes before the children turn five years old on average. (Image Credit: Wikimedia)
SEOUL, May 31 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent survey has revealed that South Korean mothers send their kids to English classes before the children turn five years old on average.
Yoon’s English School, a company that runs a chain of English language academies across the country, conducted a survey between May 25 and 29 with the participation of 466 members of an online mothers’ community, and the replies showed that children started learning English at an average age of 4.8.
The results also showed that 5.8 percent of the mothers even started teaching English to their infants when they were still in the womb.
When participants were asked whether they believed the chosen age was appropriate, 68.5 percent said ‘yes’, while 28.1 percent replied that it was too early. Age 8 was suggested as the most appropriate age for starting English study, with 21.7 percent of respondents in agreement making it the most popular age choice.
The survey also asked the mothers for the reasons behind the timing. Of the participants, 44.4 percent said they themselves thought it was about the right time, while 39.9 percent said it was because preschools offered after-school classes.
Finally, 21.7 percent admitted they were pushed into enrolling their kids when they saw other mothers beginning English education for their children.
By M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
