6/2 Talk about the academic system in Korea.

Children start elementary school when they turn 7 years old in Korea.

* turn 7 years old: 만 7세가 되다

ex> My daughter turned 7 years old as of today.

They attend six years of elementary school.

ex> I attend the church my family goes to.

They learn most of the subjects from their homeroom teacher. Next comes three years of middle school and three years of high school. Middle school is mandatory, high school is not. Students start to learn each subject from different teachers from middle school. There are specialized schools students can apply to, such as foreign language schools, science schools, or art schools.

High school students choose from either the humanities track or the science track in their second year.

* choose from either: ~또는 …중에 선택하다

ex> You can choose from either coffee or tea.

That has an impact on their course work and their college majors.

* have an impact on: ~에 영향을 미치다

ex> The experience had a significant impact on my life.

The academic year starts in March and there are two semesters each year.

* academic year: 학사 연도

ex> When does the academic year start in your country?

@ My head is spinning.  머리가 어지러워.

<HOMEWORK>

1. I had to attend the ceremony.

2. You can choose from either a salad or a soup.

3. You advice had an impact on my decision.

4. A new academic year started this week.

@ Related Topics>> Korean School System (2012.2.27)

2/7 Korean School System

DIALOG>> He'll be starting elementary school soon.

He's turning 8 Korean age next year.

He'll be starting elementary school soon.

She's moving on to middle school next year.


RESPONSE>> Talk about the Korean school system.

When children turn 8 Korean age, they are required to attend elementary school.
* attend: (학교에) 다니다
ex> Have you been attending church lately?

In elementary school, various subjects are taught by one homeroom teacher.
* homeroom teacher: 담임 선생님
ex> I had a crush on my homeroom teacher.

After six years of elementary school, students move on to middle school.
* move on to: ~로 옮겨가다
ex> She moved on to a better position at her new company.

Middle school is also mandatory in Korea.
* mandatory: 의무적인
ex> This course is mandatory if you want to graduate.

In their  second year, high school students make a crucial career decision.
* make a decision: 결정을 내리다.
* crucial: 중요한, 필수적인
ex> I had to make an important career decision.

They can go to the humanities track or the science track.
* humanities track: 문과
* science track: 이과
ex> I realized the humanities track was the right one for me.

On a side note, there are specialty high schools such as foreign language, international, science, and art high schools.
* on a side note: 참고로


@ Do you want to talk him into going?  네가 그에게 가자고 말해 볼래?

1. Let's move on to the next chapter.
2. Remember that the Monday morning meeting is mandatory.
3. Nobody can make a career decision for you.
4. My teacher suggested I choose the humanities track.