Guidebook for Living in Korea

The educational system of Korea consists of six grades of primary school, three grades of middle school, three years of high school and four years of university (or two years of college). The sixyear curriculum of primary schools and the three-year curriculum of middle schools are operated as mandatory education, and tuition is free during this period.

In Korea, the academic year is divided into two semesters. The first semester is from March 1 to the date set by the school principal, considering the number of school days, holidays, and the academic curriculum. The second semester starts on the day after the last day of the first semester and ends on the last day of February of the following year. Generally, the first semester starts in early March, and the second semester starts between late August and early September. The academic curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school is divided into two sections: standard curriculum and self-initiated creative learning activities.

For the provision of Korean language education to recent immigrants and foreign national students(or preschoolers) who lack Korean language fluency, Korean language classes are opened in kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools to support Korean language and culture education. There are 444 Korean language classes offered in 291 schools across the country (as of 2022), and if your child’s school does not run Korean language classes, support for Korean language education can be received through ‘Visit-Based Korean Language Education’. Feel free to check Korean language classes in your area through the Office of Education in one's municipality or the multicultural education portal (www.edu4mc.or.kr).

To facilitate and improve bilingual education, bilingual textbooks and e-books are developed and distributed. The Bilingual Speech Contest is held every year. You can visit the MiraeAsset Park Hyeon Joo Foundation (foundation.miraeasset.com) or the National Center for Multicultural Education portal (www.edu4mc.or.kr) to download e-book versions of bilingual textbooks (Language to learn with Mom and Dad*, etc.). The Bilingual Speech Contest selects students through school-run and local contests with the national contest held every early December

We support 1:1 mentoring with college students to facilitate school adaptation and basic learning. College student mentors visit the schools attended by multicultural students to help them learn after school or during semester breaks. You can participate by sending an application to your school or local children's center.