Difference between revisions of "Cram school" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Cram schools''' (also known as ''crammers'') are specialized [[school]]s  that train their [[student]]s to meet particular goals, most commonly to pass the [[entrance examination]]s of [[high school]]s or [[university|universities]]. The [[English language|English]] name is derived from the [[slang]] term "cramming," meaning to study hard or to study a large amount of material in a short period of time. Cram schools are most popular in Asian countries such as [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[China]], [[Taiwan]], and [[India]].
 
'''Cram schools''' (also known as ''crammers'') are specialized [[school]]s  that train their [[student]]s to meet particular goals, most commonly to pass the [[entrance examination]]s of [[high school]]s or [[university|universities]]. The [[English language|English]] name is derived from the [[slang]] term "cramming," meaning to study hard or to study a large amount of material in a short period of time. Cram schools are most popular in Asian countries such as [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[China]], [[Taiwan]], and [[India]].
  
Cram schools in those countries offer year-round after-school and weekend educational programs in all subject areas. Students range from pre-school to high school level (extended to college level in India). Cram schools are so popular that the educational system of those countries rely on the roles cram school play in education. While public educations are becoming bureaucratic, cram schools operate with the student oriented principles. Teachers at public eduction are restricted for their teaching methodology, curriculum, and the contents they can and cannot teach. Students are also not allowed to skip the grade. At cram schools, on the other hand, instructors have a freedom to develop their own teaching methodologies, teaching materials and students can also skip the grade. Performance of the school and instructors are assessed by students who can choose another teacher or another cram school any time. Competition among abundant cram schools also contributed the progression in quality.
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Cram schools offer year-round after-school and weekend programs for students of all ages, including even college students in India; these schools cover most subjects at various levels depending on the students' needs.  
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{{toc}}
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While [[public education]] institutions can be influenced by [[bureaucracy]], cram schools often operate according to different principles. For example, teachers in public education institutions can be restricted to the prescribed curriculum of the school district. At cram schools, however, teachers have relatively more freedom to share their values and adopt new innovative teaching methods. Furthermore, in cram schools students assess the school and its instructors and can choose switch to another cram school at any time. As a result, competition and other free market principles can improve the quality of instruction at a cram school. Some critics, however, point out that cram schools have intensified competition to the point where it causes undue stress for students. Furthermore, the popularity of cram schools in Asian countries can also be seen as an indicator of the deficiency of those public school systems.  
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
Cram schools vary in type and style according to social, cultural, and educational contexts of each country. They, however, generally serve in two ways: remedial education to public education system of the country; preparation for competitive examinations.
+
Cram schools vary in type and style according to social, cultural, and educational contexts of each country. They, however, generally focus on two areas: remedial education and preparation for competitive examinations.
  
Cram schools are most popular in Asian countries such as [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[China]], [[Taiwan]], and [[India]]. In those countries, families highly value education of their children and parents often give the highest priority for educational expenses within family budget. It is not uncommon that parents take extra jobs just for raising fund for children's education.
+
Cram schools are most popular in Asian countries such as [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[China]], [[Taiwan]], and [[India]]. In those countries, families highly value the education of their children and parents often give the highest priority to educational expenses within the family budget. It is not uncommon that parents take extra jobs to fund their children's education.
  
In the history of those countries, scholars often opened a small private school at their homes. Most of the people learned reading, writing, calculating, and other subjects at those private schools before modern education system was established. Cram schools can be considered as an extension of those private schools which existed throughout their history.
+
Before a modern education system was established, most people learned reading, writing, calculating, and other subjects at such private schools, run by scholars who held classes in their own homes. Cram schools can be considered as an extension of those private schools which existed throughout their history.
  
 
==Alternative names==
 
==Alternative names==
They go by various names such as:
 
  
 
*{{nihongo|''Juku''|学習塾 or 塾}} ([[Japanese language|Japanese]])
 
*{{nihongo|''Juku''|学習塾 or 塾}} ([[Japanese language|Japanese]])
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===Japan===
 
===Japan===
Cram schools is Japan are called "Gakushū juku" ({{lang-ja|学習塾}}) or "Juku" in short. Juku is so popular in Japan that it is difficult to find a town without Juku. Even in small cities and towns, one can easily find several Juku. Juku are generally divided into two types: academic and non-academic.  
+
Cram schools is Japan are called "Gakushū juku" ({{lang-ja|学習塾}}) or "juku" in short. Juku is so popular in Japan that it is difficult to find a town without a juku. Even in small cities and towns, one can easily find several juku. Juku are generally divided into two types: academic and non-academic.  
  
 
'''Academic Juku'''
 
'''Academic Juku'''
  
This is a primary type of Juku, whose students are ranging from pre-schoolers to high school students and "Ronin" who finished high school, failed the college entrance exam, and preparing for re-taking the exam. Since college entrance exams are held once a year, if a student failed, he or she has to wait until next year to re-take the exam. Those "ronin" students attend Juku full-time and prepare for the exam next year. To enter into the most competitive college, some "ronin" stay as "ronin" for two or three years until he or she passes the exam.
+
This is a primary type of juku, where students range from pre-schoolers to high school. Students who finished high school and failed the college entrance exam can prepare to re-take the exam at juku, waiting one full year for the next chance to apply since college entrance exams are held once a year.
  
Many prestigious elementary schools give entrance examination to pre-schoolers. Toddlers attend Juku to pass those examination. Similarly, students attend Juku to prepare for entrance examination for junior high schools, high schools, and universities.
+
Academic juku are also generally divided into two types: those designed for advanced students and those that offer remedial education. In a juku for advance students, they teach far advanced materials. For example, fourth graders will study at the seventh grade level. By doing so, students can excel at regular schools and better prepare for difficult questions given at entrance examinations at competitive schools. At many juku of this type, they publish their original texts and develop original curriculum. Students also have to pass an entrance examination to enter the most competitive juku. Another type of juku is designed for remedial education, where instructors pay personal attention to each student.
 
 
Academic Juku are also generally divided into two types: designed for advanced students and remedial education. In a Juku for advance students, they teach far advanced materials to students. For example, typical forth graders learn study material designed for seventh grade level. By doing so, students can excel at regular schools and better prepare for difficult questions given at entrance examinations at competitive schools. At many Juku of this type, they publish their original texts and develop their original curriculum. Students also have pass entrance examination to enter into the most competitive Juku. Another type is a remedial education. Unlike many public education, instructors pay personal attention to each student and instructors performance is measured by the success of students. Instructors at Juku also often serve as a mentor or adviser.
 
  
 
'''Non-academic Juku'''
 
'''Non-academic Juku'''
  
Non-academic Juku offer specific education such as [[music]], [[art]], [[calligraphy]], [[abacus]], and a variety of sports. Pre-schooler and elementary school children tend to attend one of those schools. Unlike public schools, instructors at those Juku are area specialists.  
+
Non-academic juku offer specific education such as [[music]], [[art]], [[calligraphy]], [[abacus]], and a variety of sports. Pre-school and elementary school children tend to attend one of these schools. It is not uncommon that a student attend more than one juku. For example, a student may attend a juku for swimming, another one for music, and another for academic purposes. After students reach sixth or seventh grade, they tend to attend only academic juku.  
 
 
It is not uncommon that a student attend more than one Juku. For example, a student may attend a Juku for swimming, another one for music, and another academic Juku. After students reach sixth or seventh grade, they tend to attend only academic Juku.
 
 
 
Juku attendance rose from the 1970s through the mid-1980s; participation rates increases at every grade level throughout the [[compulsory education]] years. This phenomenon is a source of great concern to the [[Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan)|ministry]], which issued directives to the regular schools that it hoped would reduce the need for afterschool lessons, but these directives have had little practical effect. Some juku even have branches in the [[United States]] and other countries to help children living abroad catch up with students in Japan.
 
  
While new media have been introduced into juku as instructional and delivery methods, traditional teaching is increasingly shifting to individual [[tutor]]ing. This shift is partly a response by the supplementary education industry to declining numbers of children and the threat this decline poses to their industry.
+
Juku attendance rose from the 1970s through the mid-1980s; participation rates increases at every grade level throughout the [[compulsory education]] years. This phenomenon is a source of great concern to the [[Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan)|ministry]], which issued directives to the regular schools hoping to reduce the need for afterschool lessons, but these directives have had little practical effect. Some juku even have branches in the [[United States]] and other countries to help children living abroad catch up with students in Japan.
  
 
===Korea===
 
===Korea===
A '''hagwon''' is a for-profit private [[cram school]] prevalent in [[South Korea]]. For families that can afford it, hagwon education usually starts at or before elementary level. It is common for Korean school children to attend one or more hagwon after their school. <ref name="US embassy information"> [http://seoul.usembassy.gov/esl_positions.html US Embassy Information on Hagwons and Teaching in South Korea], retrieved Sept 14, 2006</ref> "Hagwon" is also sometimes used to describe similar institutions operated by [[Korean Americans]] in the [[United States]].
+
A '''hagwon''' is a for-profit private [[cram school]] prevalent in [[South Korea]]. For families that can afford it, hagwon education usually starts at or before elementary level. It is common for Korean school children to attend one or more hagwon after their school.<ref name="US embassy information">[http://seoul.usembassy.gov/esl_positions.html US Embassy Information on Hagwons and Teaching in South Korea]. Retrieved July 17, 2008.</ref> "Hagwon" is also sometimes used to describe similar institutions operated by [[Korean Americans]] in the [[United States]].
  
It is not uncommon for students to be enrolled in several hagwon of different subject areas at once (in addition to their normal school attendance). Hagwons may specialize in subjects like math, foreign language, science, art, or English. Hagwons offering integrated instruction in several subject areas are also common. These are known as ''soksem hagwon'' at the elementary level, and ''ipsi hagwon'' at the secondary-school level. College and adult students attend ''gosi hagwon'', which are typically focused on preparation for specific civil service examinations.
+
It is not uncommon for students to be enrolled in several hagwon of different subject areas at once (in addition to their normal school attendance). Hagwons may specialize in subjects like math, foreign language, science, art, or English. Hagwons offering integrated instruction in several subject areas are also common. These are known as ''soksem hagwon'' at the elementary level, and ''ipsi hagwon'' at the secondary-school level. College and adult students attend ''gosi hagwon,'' which are typically focused on preparation for specific civil service examinations.
  
 
Like in many Korean public schools, discipline is sometimes administered with extra amounts of work assigned, as well as corporal punishment, if students misbehave, fail a test or do not complete their homework.
 
Like in many Korean public schools, discipline is sometimes administered with extra amounts of work assigned, as well as corporal punishment, if students misbehave, fail a test or do not complete their homework.
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===China===
 
===China===
 
Cram schools are popular in China due to the importance of standardized exams, such as:
 
Cram schools are popular in China due to the importance of standardized exams, such as:
* High school entrance exam (after junior high, at 9th year of school).
+
* High school entrance exam (after junior high, at ninth year of school).
 
* The [[National College Entrance Examination]], mandatory for college admission.
 
* The [[National College Entrance Examination]], mandatory for college admission.
* English language exams. Passing the College English Test (CET) band 4 and 6 is sometimes a prerequisite for bachelor's degree, and the certificates are important in job search. The [[TOEFL]] and [[GRE]] tests from [[ETS]] are required for studying abroad in English-speaking countries. The most successful cram school in English is [http://www.neworiental.org/ New Oriental], which quite resembles Kaplan or Princeton Review or similar test preparation schools in the US (see below).
+
* English language exams. Passing the College English Test (CET) band 4 and 6 is sometimes a prerequisite for a bachelor's degree, which are important in acquiring employment. [[TOEFL]] and [[GRE]] tests from [[ETS]] are required for studying abroad in English-speaking countries. The most successful cram school in English is [http://www.neworiental.org/ New Oriental], which resembles Kaplan or Princeton Review or similar test preparation schools in the US (see below).
 
* Entrance exams to domestic graduate program. Over recent years the competition has been intensified, partially because many new college graduates fail to find satisfactory jobs and seek post-graduate education instead.
 
* Entrance exams to domestic graduate program. Over recent years the competition has been intensified, partially because many new college graduates fail to find satisfactory jobs and seek post-graduate education instead.
  
 
===Taiwan===
 
===Taiwan===
Cram schools in Taiwan are called buxiban and are not necessarily cram schools in the traditional sense. Almost any kind of extracurricular academic lesson could be termed buxiban, such as music, art, math, and science, even if students do not attend these classes specifically in order to pass an examination. It's a traditional belief that parents should send their children to all kinds of cram schools in order to compete against other talented children. Therefore, most children in Taiwan have a schedule packed with all sorts of cram school lessons. But when they study English, often with a "Native Speaker Teacher," they are actually studying at a private language school. Furthermore, since this study is ongoing, they are not "cramming" in the traditional sense of the word.
+
Cram schools in Taiwan are called ''buxiban'' and are not necessarily cram schools in the traditional sense. Almost any kind of extracurricular academic lesson could be termed ''buxiban,'' such as [[music]], [[art]], [[mathematics]], and [[science]], even if students do not attend these classes specifically in order to pass an examination. It is a traditional belief that parents should send their children to all kinds of cram schools in order to compete against other talented children. Therefore, most children in Taiwan have a schedule packed with all sorts of cram school lessons. [[English language|English]] education, often with a "Native Speaker Teacher," are studied at private language schools. Furthermore, since this study is ongoing, they are not "cramming" in the traditional sense of the word.
  
 
===Hong Kong===
 
===Hong Kong===
Cram schools in [[Hong Kong]] are called tutorial schools. These cram schools put focus on the two major public examinations in Hong Kong, namely [[Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination|HKCEE]] and [[Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination|HKALE]], and teach students on techniques on answering questions in the examinations. They also provide students tips on which topics may appear on the coming examination (called "question tipping"), and provide students some sample questions that are similar to those that appear in the examinations. Some cram school teachers in Hong Kong have become idolized and attract many students to take their lessons. These teachers are called "King of tutors (補習天王)."
+
Cram schools in [[Hong Kong]] are called tutorial schools. These cram schools put focus on the two major public examinations in Hong Kong, namely [[Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination|HKCEE]] and [[Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination|HKALE]], and teach students on techniques on answering questions in the examinations. They also provide students tips on which topics may appear on the coming examination (called "question tipping"), and provide students some sample questions that are similar to those that appear in the examinations. Some cram school teachers in Hong Kong have become idolized and attract many students to take their lessons. These teachers are called "King of tutors (補習天王)."
  
 
===India===
 
===India===
 
Finishing School is a supplementary training school popular in [[India]] that attempts to make-up for deficiencies of low-tier colleges by providing specialized vocational training in technical fields such as [[computer programming]] and [[information technology]].
 
Finishing School is a supplementary training school popular in [[India]] that attempts to make-up for deficiencies of low-tier colleges by providing specialized vocational training in technical fields such as [[computer programming]] and [[information technology]].
  
The recent boom in the Indian Economy has further enhanced the need for such finishing schools. The popular ones in the IT domain are the Mysore based RiiiT (www.riiit.com) and Bangalore based Purple Leap (www.PurpleLeap.com). These IT finishing schools cover technical skills as well as communication and problem solving skills. The biggest advantage of these finishing schools is that these schools cut down the "deployable time" for a company.
+
The recent boom in the Indian economy has further enhanced the need for such finishing schools. The popular ones in the IT domain are the Mysore based RiiiT (www.riiit.com) and Bangalore based Purple Leap (www.PurpleLeap.com). These IT finishing schools cover technical skills as well as communication and problem solving skills. The biggest advantage of these finishing schools is that these schools cut down the "deployable time" for a company.  
 
 
Other finishing  schools attempt to make up for deficiencies in the Indian [[secondary education]] system with regards to math and science education and bring the student up to the level necessary for attending university and gaining admission.  For instance, it is not uncommon for Indian students to spend an entire 1 to 2 years studying in a tutorial cram school after secondary education to gain entrance into a top Medical or Engineering school.
 
 
 
Some school in western countries are often flooded by over-prepared and well networked Indian students, to the point of putting their own students at a disadvantage to their own rule and merit based college entrance and scholarship award systems where cram schools are virtually unknown, particular in [[engineering]] and [[medicine]], areas which the Indian cram school focus on.
 
  
 
===Ireland===
 
===Ireland===
"Grind schools," as they are known in the [[Republic of Ireland]], prepare students for the [[Leaving Certificate]] examination. Competition for university places (the "points race") has intensified with recent years: students wishing to study [[medicine]], [[law]] or [[veterinary science]] in particular must achieve five or six "A" grades to be accepted. Some grind schools, such as [[The Institute of Education]], teach full-time. Many others offer weekend or night-time classes for students in subjects in which they struggle.
+
"Grind schools," as they are known in the [[Republic of Ireland]], prepare students for the [[Leaving Certificate]] examination. Competition for university places (the "points race") has intensified with recent years: students wishing to study [[medicine]], [[law]] or [[veterinary science]] in particular must achieve five or six "A" grades to be accepted. Some grind schools, such as [[The Institute of Education]], teach full-time. Many others offer weekend or night-time classes for students who request extra attention understanding individual subjects.
  
 
===Turkey===
 
===Turkey===
 
The "dershane" system is the Turkish counterpart of cram schools. Students, typically in week-ends (in many instances, also after the school hours, especially in the last year), are drilled on various aspects of [[ÖSS]], the unified "Student Selection Exam."  
 
The "dershane" system is the Turkish counterpart of cram schools. Students, typically in week-ends (in many instances, also after the school hours, especially in the last year), are drilled on various aspects of [[ÖSS]], the unified "Student Selection Exam."  
  
A category of high school called "[[Fen Lisesi]]" (Sciences High School) is also widely considered as cram schools in Turkey. In the beginning, these schools had been found to promote scientific education particularly in the primary sciences like physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. However the unified university entrance test exam system ([[ÖSS|OSS]]) transformed these school into intense test tutoring centers where students are trained for 4 years on taking the OSS test. Widely criticized in Turkey for inability to provide a well-rounded universal education or the primary sciences to students, the "Fen Lisesi" system have produced consistently the best OSS test scorers, especially in sciences and mathematics weighted point groups.
+
A category of high school called "''Fen Lisesi''" (Sciences High School) is also widely considered as cram schools in Turkey. In the beginning, these schools had been found to promote scientific education particularly in the primary sciences like physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. However the unified university entrance test exam system ([[ÖSS|OSS]]) transformed these schools into intense test tutoring centers where students are trained for four years on taking the OSS test. Widely criticized in Turkey for inability to provide a well-rounded universal education or the primary sciences to students, the "Fen Lisesi" system have produced consistently the best OSS test scorers, especially in sciences and mathematics weighted point groups.
  
 
===United Kingdom===
 
===United Kingdom===
 
====England and Wales====
 
====England and Wales====
Crammers in England and Wales are almost entirely concerned with enabling pupils to re-take their [[Advanced Level (UK)|A-level]] and [[GCSE]] exams, to better their grades and in many cases, to get into university. Some offer boarding facilities. All are expensive, compared even to a [[Independent school (UK)|public school]] such as [[eton college|Eton]] which also provides many [[extra-curricular]] activities. The English crammer, on the other hand, achieves results through focus on academic work. Few, if any, organise any sports activities, for example.
+
Crammers in England and Wales are almost entirely concerned with enabling pupils to re-take their [[Advanced Level (UK)|A-level]] and [[GCSE]] exams, to improve their grades and in many cases, to get into university. Some offer boarding facilities. All are expensive, compared even to a [[Independent school (UK)|public school]] such as [[Eton college|Eton]] which also provide many [[extra-curricular]] activities. The English crammer, on the other hand, achieves results through focus on academic work where few, if any, organize any athletic activities.
  
 
===United States===
 
===United States===
The phrase "cram school" is considered [[pejorative]] in the United States, so similar businesses are called "tutoring services" or "test preparation centers." Some well-known businesses of this type are [[Barron's Educational Series|Barron's]], [[Kaplan, Inc.|Kaplan]], [[Princeton Review]], [[Peterson's]], and [[Sylvan Learning]]. Generally, such supplementary instruction is only used in the United States as a way to assist students who have learning disabilities or are struggling academically in a particular subject. They are also used by some upperclassmen in high schools to prepare for the [[SAT]], [[ACT (examination)|ACT]], and/or [[Advanced Placement]] exams. College graduates will sometimes attend such classes to prepare for entrance exams necessary for graduate level education (i.e. [[Law School Admission Test|LSAT]], [[MCAT]], [[GRE]]).  
+
The phrase "cram school" is considered [[pejorative]] in the United States and are generally called "tutoring services" or "test preparation centers." Some well-known businesses of this type are [[Barron's Educational Series|Barron's]], [[Kaplan, Inc.|Kaplan]], [[Princeton Review]], [[Peterson's]], and [[Sylvan Learning]]. Generally, such supplementary instruction is only used in the United States as a way to assist students who have learning disabilities or are struggling academically in a particular subject. They are also used by upperclassmen in high schools to prepare for the [[SAT]], [[ACT (examination)|ACT]], and/or [[Advanced Placement]] exams. College graduates will attend such classes to prepare for entrance exams necessary for graduate level education (i.e., [[Law School Admission Test|LSAT]], [[MCAT]], [[GRE]]).  
  
 
Review courses for the [[Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination|CPA examination]] (e.g., [[Becker Conviser]], part of [[DeVry University]]) and the [[bar examination]] (e.g., [[BarBri]]) are also taken by undergraduate and graduate students in [[accountancy]] and [[law]].
 
Review courses for the [[Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination|CPA examination]] (e.g., [[Becker Conviser]], part of [[DeVry University]]) and the [[bar examination]] (e.g., [[BarBri]]) are also taken by undergraduate and graduate students in [[accountancy]] and [[law]].
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references/>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
+
*Cummings, William K., and Philip G. Altbach. ''The Challenge of Eastern Asian Education Implications for America.'' SUNY series, frontiers in education. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1997. ISBN 0791432831
 +
*Kwok, P. "Examination-Oriented Knowledge and Value Transformation in East Asian Cram Schools." ''ASIA PACIFIC EDUCATION REVIEW'' 5 (2004): 64-75.
 +
*Pettersen, Larry. "Japan's Cram Schools." ''Educational Leadership'' 50(5) (1993): 56-58.
 +
*Roesgaard, Marie H. ''Japanese Education and the Cram School Business: Functions, Challenges and Perspectives of the Juku.'' Nordic Institute of Asian Studies monograph series, no. 105. Copenhagen: NIAS Press, 2006. ISBN 978-8791114915
 +
*Yang, H.-M. G. "Cram Schools in Taiwan: Supplementing Education." ''EDUCATIONAL FORUM -INDIANA'' 60(1) (1995): 64-67.
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
All links retrieved July 17, 2008.
+
All links retrieved April 6, 2022.
* [http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/asian_education/cover.html "School Daze"], ''Time Asia''
+
 
*Lee, Jiyeon. [S.Korean cram school gulag is all books, dreams], REUTERS, Tue May 6, 2008 11:44am EDT.  
+
*Lee, Jiyeon. [http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSSEO4837020080506 S.Korean cram school gulag is all books, dreams], REUTERS, Tue May 6, 2008 11:44am EDT.  
 
*Dunn, Ashley. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CEFDC103DF93BA15752C0A963958260&sec=&spon=  Cram Schools: Immigrants' Tools for Success], New York Times, Thursday, July 17, 2008.  
 
*Dunn, Ashley. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CEFDC103DF93BA15752C0A963958260&sec=&spon=  Cram Schools: Immigrants' Tools for Success], New York Times, Thursday, July 17, 2008.  
*Library of Congress Country Study Entry. See education section.
 
**[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/jptoc.html Japan]
 
**[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cntoc.html China]
 
**[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/intoc.html India]
 
  
 
[[Category:Politics and social sciences]]
 
[[Category:Politics and social sciences]]
 
[[Category:Education]]
 
[[Category:Education]]
 
{{credits|Cram_school|223640452|Hagwon|223051643|Juku|221109319|Finishing_school_(India)|223468758}}
 
{{credits|Cram_school|223640452|Hagwon|223051643|Juku|221109319|Finishing_school_(India)|223468758}}

Latest revision as of 01:09, 7 April 2022


Cram schools (also known as crammers) are specialized schools that train their students to meet particular goals, most commonly to pass the entrance examinations of high schools or universities. The English name is derived from the slang term "cramming," meaning to study hard or to study a large amount of material in a short period of time. Cram schools are most popular in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and India.

Cram schools offer year-round after-school and weekend programs for students of all ages, including even college students in India; these schools cover most subjects at various levels depending on the students' needs.

While public education institutions can be influenced by bureaucracy, cram schools often operate according to different principles. For example, teachers in public education institutions can be restricted to the prescribed curriculum of the school district. At cram schools, however, teachers have relatively more freedom to share their values and adopt new innovative teaching methods. Furthermore, in cram schools students assess the school and its instructors and can choose switch to another cram school at any time. As a result, competition and other free market principles can improve the quality of instruction at a cram school. Some critics, however, point out that cram schools have intensified competition to the point where it causes undue stress for students. Furthermore, the popularity of cram schools in Asian countries can also be seen as an indicator of the deficiency of those public school systems.

Overview

Cram schools vary in type and style according to social, cultural, and educational contexts of each country. They, however, generally focus on two areas: remedial education and preparation for competitive examinations.

Cram schools are most popular in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and India. In those countries, families highly value the education of their children and parents often give the highest priority to educational expenses within the family budget. It is not uncommon that parents take extra jobs to fund their children's education.

Before a modern education system was established, most people learned reading, writing, calculating, and other subjects at such private schools, run by scholars who held classes in their own homes. Cram schools can be considered as an extension of those private schools which existed throughout their history.

Alternative names

  • Juku (学習塾 or 塾) (Japanese)
  • Hagwon (학원學院) (Korean)
  • ''Buxiban (補習班 or 补习班) (Mandarin)
  • Tutorial school (補習班 or 補習社) (Hong Kong)
  • Grind School (Slang, Ireland)
  • Frontisterion or Frontistirio (Greek: Φροντιστήριο)
  • Curso pré-vestibular, or Cursinho (Portuguese, Brazil)
  • Dershane (Turkish, Turkey)
  • Preuniversitario or Preu, Pre, or Preú (Chilean Spanish, Chile)
  • Escuela propedéutica (Mexican Spanish, Mexico)
  • Finishing school, (India)
  • Coaching School (Australia)
  • Coaching Center (Bangladesh)

By country

Japan

Cram schools is Japan are called "Gakushū juku" (Japanese: 学習塾) or "juku" in short. Juku is so popular in Japan that it is difficult to find a town without a juku. Even in small cities and towns, one can easily find several juku. Juku are generally divided into two types: academic and non-academic.

Academic Juku

This is a primary type of juku, where students range from pre-schoolers to high school. Students who finished high school and failed the college entrance exam can prepare to re-take the exam at juku, waiting one full year for the next chance to apply since college entrance exams are held once a year.

Academic juku are also generally divided into two types: those designed for advanced students and those that offer remedial education. In a juku for advance students, they teach far advanced materials. For example, fourth graders will study at the seventh grade level. By doing so, students can excel at regular schools and better prepare for difficult questions given at entrance examinations at competitive schools. At many juku of this type, they publish their original texts and develop original curriculum. Students also have to pass an entrance examination to enter the most competitive juku. Another type of juku is designed for remedial education, where instructors pay personal attention to each student.

Non-academic Juku

Non-academic juku offer specific education such as music, art, calligraphy, abacus, and a variety of sports. Pre-school and elementary school children tend to attend one of these schools. It is not uncommon that a student attend more than one juku. For example, a student may attend a juku for swimming, another one for music, and another for academic purposes. After students reach sixth or seventh grade, they tend to attend only academic juku.

Juku attendance rose from the 1970s through the mid-1980s; participation rates increases at every grade level throughout the compulsory education years. This phenomenon is a source of great concern to the ministry, which issued directives to the regular schools hoping to reduce the need for afterschool lessons, but these directives have had little practical effect. Some juku even have branches in the United States and other countries to help children living abroad catch up with students in Japan.

Korea

A hagwon is a for-profit private cram school prevalent in South Korea. For families that can afford it, hagwon education usually starts at or before elementary level. It is common for Korean school children to attend one or more hagwon after their school.[1] "Hagwon" is also sometimes used to describe similar institutions operated by Korean Americans in the United States.

It is not uncommon for students to be enrolled in several hagwon of different subject areas at once (in addition to their normal school attendance). Hagwons may specialize in subjects like math, foreign language, science, art, or English. Hagwons offering integrated instruction in several subject areas are also common. These are known as soksem hagwon at the elementary level, and ipsi hagwon at the secondary-school level. College and adult students attend gosi hagwon, which are typically focused on preparation for specific civil service examinations.

Like in many Korean public schools, discipline is sometimes administered with extra amounts of work assigned, as well as corporal punishment, if students misbehave, fail a test or do not complete their homework.

China

Cram schools are popular in China due to the importance of standardized exams, such as:

  • High school entrance exam (after junior high, at ninth year of school).
  • The National College Entrance Examination, mandatory for college admission.
  • English language exams. Passing the College English Test (CET) band 4 and 6 is sometimes a prerequisite for a bachelor's degree, which are important in acquiring employment. TOEFL and GRE tests from ETS are required for studying abroad in English-speaking countries. The most successful cram school in English is New Oriental, which resembles Kaplan or Princeton Review or similar test preparation schools in the US (see below).
  • Entrance exams to domestic graduate program. Over recent years the competition has been intensified, partially because many new college graduates fail to find satisfactory jobs and seek post-graduate education instead.

Taiwan

Cram schools in Taiwan are called buxiban and are not necessarily cram schools in the traditional sense. Almost any kind of extracurricular academic lesson could be termed buxiban, such as music, art, mathematics, and science, even if students do not attend these classes specifically in order to pass an examination. It is a traditional belief that parents should send their children to all kinds of cram schools in order to compete against other talented children. Therefore, most children in Taiwan have a schedule packed with all sorts of cram school lessons. English education, often with a "Native Speaker Teacher," are studied at private language schools. Furthermore, since this study is ongoing, they are not "cramming" in the traditional sense of the word.

Hong Kong

Cram schools in Hong Kong are called tutorial schools. These cram schools put focus on the two major public examinations in Hong Kong, namely HKCEE and HKALE, and teach students on techniques on answering questions in the examinations. They also provide students tips on which topics may appear on the coming examination (called "question tipping"), and provide students some sample questions that are similar to those that appear in the examinations. Some cram school teachers in Hong Kong have become idolized and attract many students to take their lessons. These teachers are called "King of tutors (補習天王)."

India

Finishing School is a supplementary training school popular in India that attempts to make-up for deficiencies of low-tier colleges by providing specialized vocational training in technical fields such as computer programming and information technology.

The recent boom in the Indian economy has further enhanced the need for such finishing schools. The popular ones in the IT domain are the Mysore based RiiiT (www.riiit.com) and Bangalore based Purple Leap (www.PurpleLeap.com). These IT finishing schools cover technical skills as well as communication and problem solving skills. The biggest advantage of these finishing schools is that these schools cut down the "deployable time" for a company.

Ireland

"Grind schools," as they are known in the Republic of Ireland, prepare students for the Leaving Certificate examination. Competition for university places (the "points race") has intensified with recent years: students wishing to study medicine, law or veterinary science in particular must achieve five or six "A" grades to be accepted. Some grind schools, such as The Institute of Education, teach full-time. Many others offer weekend or night-time classes for students who request extra attention understanding individual subjects.

Turkey

The "dershane" system is the Turkish counterpart of cram schools. Students, typically in week-ends (in many instances, also after the school hours, especially in the last year), are drilled on various aspects of ÖSS, the unified "Student Selection Exam."

A category of high school called "Fen Lisesi" (Sciences High School) is also widely considered as cram schools in Turkey. In the beginning, these schools had been found to promote scientific education particularly in the primary sciences like physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. However the unified university entrance test exam system (OSS) transformed these schools into intense test tutoring centers where students are trained for four years on taking the OSS test. Widely criticized in Turkey for inability to provide a well-rounded universal education or the primary sciences to students, the "Fen Lisesi" system have produced consistently the best OSS test scorers, especially in sciences and mathematics weighted point groups.

United Kingdom

England and Wales

Crammers in England and Wales are almost entirely concerned with enabling pupils to re-take their A-level and GCSE exams, to improve their grades and in many cases, to get into university. Some offer boarding facilities. All are expensive, compared even to a public school such as Eton which also provide many extra-curricular activities. The English crammer, on the other hand, achieves results through focus on academic work where few, if any, organize any athletic activities.

United States

The phrase "cram school" is considered pejorative in the United States and are generally called "tutoring services" or "test preparation centers." Some well-known businesses of this type are Barron's, Kaplan, Princeton Review, Peterson's, and Sylvan Learning. Generally, such supplementary instruction is only used in the United States as a way to assist students who have learning disabilities or are struggling academically in a particular subject. They are also used by upperclassmen in high schools to prepare for the SAT, ACT, and/or Advanced Placement exams. College graduates will attend such classes to prepare for entrance exams necessary for graduate level education (i.e., LSAT, MCAT, GRE).

Review courses for the CPA examination (e.g., Becker Conviser, part of DeVry University) and the bar examination (e.g., BarBri) are also taken by undergraduate and graduate students in accountancy and law.

Notes

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Cummings, William K., and Philip G. Altbach. The Challenge of Eastern Asian Education Implications for America. SUNY series, frontiers in education. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1997. ISBN 0791432831
  • Kwok, P. "Examination-Oriented Knowledge and Value Transformation in East Asian Cram Schools." ASIA PACIFIC EDUCATION REVIEW 5 (2004): 64-75.
  • Pettersen, Larry. "Japan's Cram Schools." Educational Leadership 50(5) (1993): 56-58.
  • Roesgaard, Marie H. Japanese Education and the Cram School Business: Functions, Challenges and Perspectives of the Juku. Nordic Institute of Asian Studies monograph series, no. 105. Copenhagen: NIAS Press, 2006. ISBN 978-8791114915
  • Yang, H.-M. G. "Cram Schools in Taiwan: Supplementing Education." EDUCATIONAL FORUM -INDIANA 60(1) (1995): 64-67.

External links

All links retrieved April 6, 2022.

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