About high paid ¨star¨ tutors in Hong Kong
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20085558
The celebrity tutor phenomenon is a result of the huge growth in
out-of-school tutoring in Asia.
The tutoring industry, or "shadow education" has become very
widespread in Asia, fed by the growth in universities and the rising
proportion of school leavers aiming for university.
It's not just Hong Kong. Tutoring has "spread and intensified in Asia
and become more commercialised," said professor Bray. In South Korea,
90% of primary school children attend such classes.
In South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India, tutorial schools use
star tutors to attract even more students. "They have found a way to
appeal to young people and pull them in. They create a buzz," he said.
"With so many tutors in Hong Kong, students don't know who to choose
so they go for the 'tutor kings' and 'tutor queens'," she said.
Some students just attend the lectures and watch video recordings of
lectures while others purchase add-ons such as personalised
interaction with the star tutor or tutor's aide via Facebook or email.
But they are not movie stars or supermodels: they are Hong Kong's
A-list "tutor kings" and "tutor queens", offering pupils a chance to
improve mediocre grades.
In Hong Kong's consumer culture, looks sell. Celebrity tutors in their
sophisticated hair-dos and designer trappings are treated like idols
by their young fans who flock to their classes.
And they have earnings to match - some have become millionaires and
appear regularly on television shows.
"If you want to be a top tutor, it definitely helps if you are young
and attractive. Students look at your appearance," said Kelly Mok, 26,
a "tutor queen" at King's Glory, one of Hong Kong's largest tutorial
establishments.
Her designer clothes and accessories are not just for the billboards;
it's how she likes to dress outside classes. But she is also careful
to add that she wouldn't be in such high demand if she could not
deliver top grades in her subject, English.
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