Seoul districts open free English programs as Korea limits private kindergartens

Seoul districts are launching free public English programs for kindergartners as the South Korean government moves to crack down on private English-language schools that charge families more than $1,000 a month.

The policy shift targets a persistent equity gap in South Korea's education system. English does not appear in the national curriculum until third grade, driving families to spend heavily on private programs and leaving children without access at a disadvantage when elementary school begins.

Private English kindergartens charged an average of 1.54 million won — roughly $1,042 — per month in 2024, according to the Ministry of Education. That figure is 3.5 times the average monthly private education spending of 435,000 won per 5-year-old, the Korea Times reported.

Legislators and regulators have moved on two fronts. Last year, lawmakers introduced a bill banning English cram school programs for children under 36 months. The Ministry of Education also plans to cap rote instruction at three hours per day for children ages 3 to 6, down from the six to seven hours that English kindergartens typically provide.

Seocho District launched its free alternative in March 2026, placing vetted native-English-speaking teachers across 20 public and private kindergartens in the district. About 600 5-year-olds are enrolled. "Kids from English kindergartens and those who didn't attend often show a real gap when they enter elementary school. We wanted to narrow that, and many parents were asking for it," Kim In-ha of the Seocho District educational support division said, according to the Korea Times.

Students and parents say the program is having an effect. Byun Jae-i, a 5-year-old at Donghwa Kindergarten, told the Korea Times that a prior private institute made the transition smooth. "I had learned English at a private institute before, so learning it here became easier. Last time at kindergarten, I did an art activity where I made a tiny palm-sized bed and that was the most fun," Byun said. Lee Eon-ju, 42, said her daughter began bringing English home immediately. "Since attending the class, she comes home singing English songs and once tried to tell me a story she made up in English. Learning through play with friends in a familiar setting, she seems to absorb English naturally without pressure," Lee said.

Dongdaemun District operates a similar initiative, staffed in part by Catherine Lee, 35, a Canadian teacher. She said the public setting changes the pressure on young learners. "In private kindergarten, there was more pressure from the parents for the children's performance and they had high expectations, whereas here they can learn a little bit more freely and have a little bit more fun," Catherine Lee told the Korea Times.

The Ministry of Education has not announced a timeline for implementing the rote-instruction cap. Catherine Lee said the lower-pressure model suits the age group. "I do think this sort of curriculum, where they do simple lessons together and play without high pressure, is good for this age, for sure," she said.