Children in and around Seoul start learning to speak English at an average age of 3.7 years, the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education said.
Its latest survey of 1,200 elementary school first- and second-graders in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, found that 92.7 percent received their first-ever English education around 3-5 years old. Only 7.3 percent in the same age bracket said they had not studied English at all by that age.
About 65.7 percent started learning English when they were around 3-4 years old, while 19.2 percent doing so when they were over five years old.
The survey found that 6.6 percent began learning the foreign language even before they reached 2 and that 1.3 percent of mothers chose English for antenatal education.
The institute concluded that children’s first encounter with English lessons was an average of 3.7 years old.
The more educated the mothers were, the earlier their children started the foreign language training. According to the study, 8.5 percent of mothers with university or higher degrees had their children start the education before two, while 69.9 percent let their children learn English around 3-4.
On the contrary, 13.4 percent of children of parents who were high school graduates did not study the language in infancy, and 59.3 percent began the English education around 3-4.
Residents of Ilsan, north of Seoul, were the most enthusiastic about their children’s English education with an average of 3.2 years olds starting to take English lessons. Three southern districts in Seoul ― Gangnam, Seocho or Songpa ― regarded as well-off and high in education zeal, were slightly behind, with their children starting to learn English at four on average.
Asked about the motives behind early English education, 44.5 percent said they wanted their children to become familiar with the language in childhood, while 20.3 percent said nurseries or other childcare facilities hold English classes, which drove them to start private education early. Only 9.5 percent cited their children’s exceptional curiosity.
“It seems that children start to learn English at their parents’ will, not on their own,” said Lee Yun-jin, researcher of the institute in the report.
“Some parents argue they start to educate children in English because kindergartens and daycare centers conduct classes in English, but on the contrary, many childcare facilities start English programs because the parents demand them,” she added.
This research concluded children in and around seoul started English lessons an avearge 3.7 years old.
The reason why children start to learn early English asked to their parents, they said first, we wanted our children to became familiar with the english in childhood.
wow! After read, I wondered , how about children anther province. also I think, It' better compared with two groups(Seoul, Gyeonggi and another Province)
Anyway I think, English Education is very important and It really need in childhood.
Because not long ago I heard, elementary schooler considered English avility is more important than other subject avility between them.
also so am I. I think same idea as their parents, children to became familiar with the english in childhood.
It is trend. It is nothing new. early English Education already heating up in Korean.
As early English Education is stressed the necessity in these days.
But I think It is probable that caused some ploblem. That is more and more younger to start english.
If children are too young, they maybe get a stress. because they don't know for certain in english or korean.
It just thier parent's will. they have no motive learn to english. why? they are too young.
I sugest early English education need to children, If they don't get a stress.
So most important point is 'enjoy studing english'.especially, in cildhood.
We should find the way about how to enjoy english to children with no stress.
also It is not better to learn in english from too young age.
I think After they understad to korean, not to late to learn english.
