A Case Analysis of YouTube Comments on a Popular Video About Private Tutoring in Taiwan

This study investigates the discourse surrounding a specific, widely viewed YouTube video on private tutoring (PT), a form of shadow education, by analyzing comments about PT in Taiwan. A total of 1,043 comments were analyzed to identify themes associated with commenters’ perceptions of PT. The data revealed polarized responses, with negative attitudes on one end and moderately positive attitudes on the other, while the presence of neutral attitudes was minimal. This finding reveals the tension among commenters about the ideologies underlying the acceptance versus rejection of PT. The commenters responded actively by discerning the disadvantages of PT, covering aspects such as students’ mental and physical health, examination-centered orientation, parents’ financial burden, social and academic stratification, imparting business value, and schoolteachers’ malpractice. They also expressed neutral attitudes and recognized the advantages of PT, including academic improvement, personalized instruction, confidence building, and mentorship. The study positions itself as an in-depth case analysis rather than a broad examination of online discourse, showcasing diverse stakeholder attitudes and a complex interplay of perspectives, concerns, opportunities, and policy awareness within the educational landscape.