What exactly are hagwons (학원) and how does the system work?

Hagwons are private academies that teach almost anything outside the regular school curriculum, from English, math, and Korean to piano, coding, taekwondo, and art. They are central to Korean education and most Korean students attend at least one or two.

How the system works. Hagwons are licensed but privately operated. Class sizes range from 1-on-1 tutoring to group classes of 10 to 20 students. Sessions are typically 1 to 2 hours, multiple times per week. Many students attend hagwon after their regular school day, often until 10 pm or later.

For foreign parents, key considerations. First, language. Most hagwons teach in Korean, even English hagwons, since the goal is preparing for Korean tests. International English hagwons like ChungDahm and Avalon offer immersive English instruction but cost more. Second, intensity. Korean hagwons can be very academically intense with frequent tests and homework. Younger children may find it stressful. Third, cost. Plan for 200,000 to 600,000 won per subject per month, depending on level and reputation.

What to evaluate before enrolling. Visit the hagwon and ask for a trial class. Check teacher qualifications, class size, and how they communicate with parents (usually via Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk channels). Talk to other foreign parents in your neighborhood, or check the Naver Cafe for your district to see reviews. Hagwon Owl (학원올) and Sapping (사핑) websites also have parent reviews.

If you are unsure your child needs hagwon, alternatives like private tutoring (과외) or online platforms like Milkyway or Mathpresso can be more flexible and sometimes cheaper.