Taken as a whole, the government appears to have succeeded in its recruitment drive: There were 4,543 applications for the 4,228 jobs this year ㅡ 1,963 in elementary and 2,265 in secondary schools.
But on closer inspection, the data showed that nine regional education offices were unable to attract enough applicants.
North Chungcheong had exactly 113 applicants for its recruitment quota ㅡ also 113 ㅡ while North Gyeongbuk received only 204 for its 274 posts. In South Jeolla, just 170 applied for the 208 jobs on offer in the province.
Additionally, applications for posts at secondary schools fell short by some 200.
The ministry admitted the shortage was due to the program's lack of promotion.
``Those who don't have teaching licenses can apply for a job, but it seems that many didn't know about it. Also, many teacher hopefuls with teaching licenses didn't apply for the lecturer jobs because they are preparing for exams for regular teacher positions due in October,'' a ministry official said.
The article goes on to mention that these lecturers would make 26 million won per year, but that teachers are choosing to instead work at hagwon. Though Kang Shin-woo says in this article, and includes quotations to that effect in others, that these lecturers would replace native speakers eventually, I still maintain that the first priority here is getting English teachers in the school in the first place. In rural areas especially there are not even Korean English teachers, as homeroom teachers pick up the slack. At two of the schools I worked at in Gangjin, for example, English was taught by the science teacher at one and by the physical education teacher at the other. Provided districts are willing to pay for these lecturers, I suspect they'd be headed there, first.
Nonetheless, a Ministry of Education official brought native speakers into the conversation in March:
The Korean instructors will receive about 26 million won ($18,882) in annual pay on a one-year contract and can renew for up to four years at one school. In comparison, native English teachers receive about 30 million won.
``Foreign native English speakers cannot teach students without Korean teachers, but the newly recruited teachers can teach on their own. We expect these instructors will replace foreign teachers over the long term,'' Euh added.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we do teach by ourselves a lot of the time, yada yada yada, profound ignorance about what we do, yada yada yada, are these lecturers going to bring in extra money for the schools and so on and so forth. Look, I'm tired, so I'll just bring up a this one other point. One of the big challenges now is that NSETs are hired---at great expense, apparently, and great inconvenience---to teach English conversation in a system geared entirely toward placement tests. The schools have no idea what to do with us. When these Korean English lecturers do arrive, it sounds like the system will be more geared toward practical English, if the plan to replace the TOEFL with a Korean test goes into effect. You can't bitch about ineffective NSETs when you place them in a system in which they're set up to fail. If you're not going to use NSETs, not going to build their talents and strengths into the system, there's really no reason not to hire local teachers instead. And I'm not saying Korean English lecturers would do a poor job, or would necessariy be poor substitutes in the public schools, I'm just saying.
26 comments:
I love it: "Foreign native English teachers can't teach without a Korean.." Ok. Whatever. No further comment really needed. I feel I'd be preaching to the choir.
Amen brother
"Those who don't have teaching licenses can apply for a job, but it seems that many didn't know about it. Also, many teacher hopefuls with teaching licenses didn't apply for the lecturer jobs because they are preparing for exams for regular teacher positions due in October," a ministry official said.
So after getting their teaching degree(s) and then their teaching license(s), Koreans must take yet another exam in order to actually get a teaching job?
Hilarious.
Yep, yep and more yep. The system is doomed to fail because although they hire native English teachers they have no idea what to do with them. I taught ALL THE TIME without a co teacher and frankly was way more effective without one. In fact, perhaps the co teacher system is part of the problem? Either way, until Korea changes the method and the end goal, they will not achieve strong English language skills. JUST. NOT. POSSIBLE.
The problem of teaching English in Korea is just one aspect of a much larger troubled system (and I consider almost all mass education to be troubled, but that's another topic).
Without bringing up English teaching or the troubles of native English speakers in the Korean schools or hagwons, go and sit down with some teachers, administrators, parents, or even students and ask them what's good and what's bad about the Korean educational system. But don't even bring up English teaching, because it may skew the response you'll get, which is to get a big picture and then imagine (in the C. Wright Mills sense of imagine) how English teaching fits into that.
English is one of quite a few satellites orbiting this dysfunctional star.
But then why don't they change it? Why keep this dysfunctional system? The fact is that (and many will tell you this) they do change things, they do try to fix things, and that leads to another huge problem: a lack of consistency from year to year and from class-year to class-year that makes it hard for any good ideas to gain traction or for the bad aspects of new ideas to be mitigated.
Imagine how hard it would be to get good at something if every year or so you're forced to move to another branch or even another company. Figuratively speaking, that's what teaching in the Korean education system is like for many people.
Now the question is, how would you mitigate the test-oriented teaching? How would you make schools better or more effective to the point that hagwons are redundant?
"So after getting their teaching degree(s) and then their teaching license(s), Koreans must take yet another exam in order to actually get a teaching job?"
Many large US districts require applicants to take personality/character tests.
WeikuBoy, I've talked with a couple assistant teachers and student teachers, and they spend a year after school studying for the exam. Some work part time (as in the case of those subbing in school).
I don't even know what to say anymore... Yesterday I was told that my school would be hiring a Korean English teacher instead of a 'native' speaker due to 'public opinion'...Whatever, I am really over this, I have done my best to teach with what I have been given and I have no regrets. According to my school, native teachers are a waste of money. I on the other hand think we actually save them money, as I have been denied severence pay and my other bonuses...ARRGGGGG
All I can say is karma is a bitch...
Brian, thanks. My sweet next-desk neighbor just told me that Korean teachers graduate from university with a degree in their major AND their teaching license. They take special classes as undergrads at their university to obtain their license. However, before they can get a job in a public school, they must then study (self-study, for two months or more) and pass a three-part exam (multiple-choice, essay, and oral, over the course of three different days) given by the local (provincial or metro) office of education. It's a very difficult exam (sounds comparable to the CPA exam in the States) that covers both their major and the science of teaching; but the successful candidate receives a certificate which permits him or her to teach in public schools (if there are any jobs available).
So I guess it's not really any more time-consuming than in the U.S. (?)
Marissa, are you for real? If you are, tell us more, please.
Marissa, how are they denying you severance pay? What other bonuses were you entitled to?
According to my school, native teachers are a waste of money.
In what context did this come up? Who said it and what was said?
You might be able to file a complaint.
Weiku Boy wrote:
My sweet next-desk neighbor just told me that Korean teachers graduate from university with a degree in their major AND their teaching license.
I may be wrong, but I think that's only true for "education" majors (including those who major in, say, English education, mathematics education, Korean language education, etc.
For others who want to become teachers, I think the process is longer and more difficult.
hi guys im looking at this more as a cultural diffence. well when someone like malissa say that i dont care whatever ive done my parts. koreans would find it more related to negligence or irresponsibility in the first place, even if its probably the only time that you ever complaining about the job and all the time in classes you are working with passion in my opinion. But i havent got a clue.
Also, the quality of class is a matter as some classes wouldnt be desperately necessary to have native english teachers.
again as the communicational ability and progressive improvement is concerned, the only effective way to do that is to bring media programs, which are spoken in the certain language, to ordinary lives. it's also depending on the mindsets of students and teachers. if anyone thinks it more than a language in the learning process, in my experience, it would quite be frustrating.
Considering the money, it is not deniable that the cost of living in korea is ridiculously cheap in a comparison to the average salary is paid for those teachers. Still, i really appreciate people trying to make positive changes, but it's not just me to be disgusted with those guys who dont even care about anything happening around them, just complain about everything related to the country.
well, not sure how many of you would agree korea as a developed country, dont stress out,,, we need more time. it can be arrogant to ignore the local values and expectations from people when someone is taking advantage of others. even if the minority makes shit of the entire group, the impression from public is not easy to change; just like the stereotypes of other races in your countries, the brand images, reputation of countries, and so on.
Also, most of teachers like you guys are fantastic even just having debate on this which is clearly unnecessary for your own.
Needless to say, i really think koreans should know more about this kind of things and identify the deficiency in the current edu-system. and improve better
thanks to ya all
"I think that's only true for "education" majors (including those who major in, say, English education, mathematics education, Korean language education, etc." - Kushibo
Makes sense. My info is from a source who, though sweet, doesn't speak much English, as told to a person who doesn't speak Korean. It was sort of a breakthrough in our relationship, as she hadn't said much more than good morning to me until yesterday.
Makes sense.
Well, the obvious caveat is that I might be wrong.
I've been having some teacher acquaintances who sometimes work for me gather the precise details of what kind of testing and background checks teachers must go through in order to teach in schools (in a nutshell: full- and part-time teachers at public and private generally must do essentially the same as the E2 regulations, including syphilis and HIV testing while hagwon teachers do not), and I could ask one of them to verify this for me as well.
"Imagine how hard it would be to get good at something if every year or so you're forced to move to another branch or even another company. Figuratively speaking, that's what teaching in the Korean education system is like for many people."
Despite the regulations and expectations for TEACHING in the schools here I think the best way for English education to specifically improve is if there were teachers who actually speak English teaching it.
I never took a French class or a Spanish class from someone who wasn't FLUENT in the language. They were all full-blooded Americans who learned the language, lived abroad for at least 6 months as PART OF THEIR EDUCATION, and had absolutely no trouble pronouncing things.
If there is a shortage of applicants for teaching in Korea it isn't because of licensing or regulations, it's because people know they aren't qualified to teach English if they can't speak it themselves.
Kyushibu
I actually am part of the TaLk program. I am on the same visa as the rest of the 'normal' teachers, the difference being that I am yet to gain my degree from Uni.
I have no idea why I am not entitled to severance pay, when I asked about it they looked at me as if I were a crazy person!
I was also entitled to 'cultural' experience money, which sources tell me was 3000, 000 won...I got 300,00 won...Hope they had a nice party up at the education office...When I asked where it went was told that it was the economic crisis...YEA
As for the waste of money thing,
I was told this when I asked who would be replacing me next semester. School told me a Korean english teacher would be hired becuase Native speakers were not wanted and were too much money..!!
Sung Kyu
I am not exactly sure what you were saying in response to my comment...But to make things clear...When I said I dont care, that was in relation to others opinions of me, NOT about the job itself.
I was really sad actually when they told me they think Native teachers are a waste of money. I really like teaching and I love my students. I put so much work into preparing my classes and making sure that every student gets something out of it. That's why I am so ANGRY. So, to reiterate again, I want to try and do my job with the same passion but try not to take the insults of others to heart. I take pride in my job and I hope the results speak for themselves...
PS...Anyone know what can I do about severance? I had 2 contracts, totalling 1 year.
Is this an Education office issue or with my school?
Don't want to step on any toes here...but want to be treated fairly...:)
"PS...Anyone know what can I do? Is this an Education office issue or with my school?"
Marissa, if you can point to things in your contract(s) that you have not received, you might want to raise the issue, politely but firmly, with your school. If that doesn't work, go to the Education Office; and if that doesn't work, go to the EPIK/TALK folks. The comment at your school about the "economic crisis" as an excuse especially sets off some alarm bells.
Just my thoughts.
Weiku Boy
Thanks for the advice...Unfortunately when I rang Talk was told my questions cannot 'answered'. I then questioned my school and was told it was the 'economic crisis'. Seems to be a never ending cycle.
As for my contract, there is no mention on severance. Silly on my part, but in my defence this is my first time working in Korea and I didnt think to look for that in a contract. From what I have been reading though, severance pay does not need to be written into contract. I think my next step will be asking the Education office.... wish me luck
OK, good luck.
By the way, my school is replacing me with a trained chimpanzee with a tape recorder. ("It's a really expensive tape recorder.") So none of the rest of you should feel too bad.
WeikuBoy, our school bought a realy expensive automated thing last year.
http://www.briandeutsch.blogspot.com/2008/10/behold-our-shiny-replacements.html>
It has, like, thousands of different programs and dozens of accompanying books, but I don't think anyone has ever used it. It was sitting there unplugged for a long time, and I myself don't even know how to work it.
Oh god yes, I now remember your post about that. Classic. (Sitting here lol.)
About the poor connections inside the classroom (which at my school, too, NEVER seem to work), whenever I'm told (as I'm often told) that Korea has "the fastest internet in the world" I simply turn on the nearest PC and try to call up a music video on YouTube. BEST case scenario is 10-15 minutes from turning the power on to being able to watch the fully-buffered video. I'm trying to make the point that a system is only as strong or fast as its weakest or slowest part. Alas, my students never seem to make the connection (so to speak). They always say something about, well, we don't mean THIS internet (the one we actually have to use; we mean the imaginary internet we don't have). Fair enough. I hear the PC Bangs are great for video games.
I don't know how that rant relates to Brian's post. Maybe this: that the weakest part of Korea's English education system usually is the Korean English teachers.
I must be lucky. I have three different co-teachers. We have 2,100 students at our elementary school. Two of the three have excellent English skills. The other one tries hard... I teach in one large classroom, the grades rotate every 6 weeks. I teach only 6th, then 5th, 4th, and then 3rd. Since it's my classroom though, I lead the class about 80% of the time. I feel that if a NS is available then the Korean teacher should just be there for crowd control and comprehension. This is my 4th year at the same school. I know what most of you are saying is correct though. Each year they inevitably assign a different teacher for each grade, and each person has their own ideas. Usually they are not to bad, but sometimes the teacher is very rigid and won't accept any advice. You just have to remind them gently, that you can read and write English at the university level, and you know what you are doing. Now on the other hand if you are some lazy ass who just wants to get drunk at night and cruise through the day... well... I can see where you might have some problems. I often teach by myself also. If they would enforce discipline in the schools, they wouldn't need a coteacher. I guess basically work is as good as you make it, there will always be problems, it's how you react to the situations that determine the outcome, and your happiness while you're here... : ) If you think I am full of crap, thats okay too. haha
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