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that guy
Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Location: long gone
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 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:23 am Post subject: "32% of Native English Teachers Found Unqualified" |
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says Lee Kyung-sook of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) Tuesday.
| The Korea Times wrote: |
One third of foreigners teaching English in Korea were found to have taught without appropriate certificates, said Rep. Lee Kyung-sook of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) Tuesday.
A total of 997 foreigners have been hired from 2004 through 2006 to teach English at English immersion programs nationwide, while as many as 326 or 32.7 percent of them were found not to have certificates such as the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), which is essential to teach the language here, Lee said.
His assertion was based on research into 746 English immersion programs organized between 2004 and 2006 by 16 education offices across the country.
Daegu was found to be the most vulnerable area for the employment of teachers.
Of 47 foreigners hired, as many as 32 or 68.1 percent were considered unqualified.
In North Jeolla Province, 65 percent or 28 foreigners out of 43 employed did not have any certificates.
The rates in South and North Gyeongsang Provinces were also found to hover at over 50 percent.
To improve the quality of the program, it is essential to provide students with teachers with appropriate certificates, the lawmaker said.
[email protected] |
While he's correct stating that most teachers don't have a CELTA or TESOL, I believe that the current "qualifications" don't include such certificates.
What do you think? Is Korea going to require certification in the future?
I'm getting a little tired of everyone and their Daum cafe throwing around the word unqualified without addressing the issue of who sets the qualifications. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:38 am Post subject: |
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I don't have a CELTA or TESOL. However, I think such certificates SHOULD be made mandatory to teach in Korea.
Instead of pointing fingers at who does and doesn't have qualifications. Maybe they should institute a program where the schools will invest in have you get your CELTA or TESOL in exchange for a longer contract.
The schools can say "Hey, we'll let you take this program to get this certificate, but after it is complete, you must agree to work at our school for 2 or 3 years."
Anyone who DOES get a CELTA or TESOL is planning on teaching ESL longterm anyways. |
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Real Reality
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:48 am Post subject: |
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Well, how about requiring Korean English teachers to teach in English?
School English Classes: Quality of Teaching Appears to Be Diminishing
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English teaching at primary and secondary schools here appears to be diminishing. According to a recent survey, a growing number of Korean teachers of English conduct their classes in Korean only, contrary to efforts in creating an environment in which students can be better immersed in English. The number of teachers presenting English-only classes in elementary, middle and high schools for an hour each week has declined, according to a Chonbuk National University research survey.
Education authorities have emphasized the importance of teaching practical English that is useful in daily conversation and aimed to enhance students' interest in English. However, their efforts seem to have brought no tangible results. The number of teachers using only English in class was 22.3 percent in 2003, but fell to 19.9 in 2004 and 17.6 last year. Meanwhile, the ratio of those using only Korean in class rose to 12.9 percent last year from 10.7 percent in 2004 and 9 percent in 2003. |
Editorial, Korea Times (June 7, 2006)
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/news_view.asp?newsIdx=2901058 |
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Smee
Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:49 am Post subject: |
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| I really hate the word "unqualified" when used this way. We are 100% qualified, in that the qualifications consist only of a BA and a passport from a select few countries. As the OP said, I wish they'd realize who's setting the qualifications, instead of doing this bullshit backtracking. If 33% of foreigners are teaching without the proper credentials, and if people in government are making complaints about this, then somebody would wake the f--k up and stop hiring people without the proper credentials. It's like buying shoes without trying them on and then complaining to the shoe company because they don't fit. |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:56 am Post subject: |
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By Korean standards, we are 100 percent qualified if we have a BA.
Now if we purchase a degree, like many Koreans seem to be doing these days, that's a different story.
If you don't like it, Korea, then change it.
If you do change it, you'll find A LOT more of your precious citizens sending their children overseas for their English education.
Typical Korean blame-passing. |
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Privateer
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Location: Easy Street.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:13 am Post subject: |
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I'm impressed that as many as 2/3s of ESLers in Korea actually have CELTAs or equivalent.
I'm also impressed that Mr Lee knows what a CELTA is. He should tell the wonjangs. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:46 am Post subject: |
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I believe "CELTA" should be replaced with "TEFL certificate." Most people don't have a CELTA, it's the best and most extensive certificate out there.
The author also doesn't mention teachers who have a B.Ed., M.A. or teaching experience elsewhere.
If Korea required a TEFL, much less a CELTA, what are all those hogwan owners going to do? Pay more money? Not have a foreigner? I'm sure the author would like that last option so they can keep foreigners from touching Korean women. |
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butlerian
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:57 am Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
I believe "CELTA" should be replaced with "TEFL certificate." Most people don't have a CELTA, it's the best and most extensive certificate out there.
The author also doesn't mention teachers who have a B.Ed., M.A. or teaching experience elsewhere.
If Korea required a TEFL, much less a CELTA, what are all those hogwan owners going to do? Pay more money? Not have a foreigner? I'm sure the author would like that last option so they can keep foreigners from touching Korean women. |
While the CELTA is undoubtedly good and valuable, I think it is wrong to give it a monopoly. It is expensive and will only become more expensive if it becomes the only way to teach ESL. There are other good TEFL courses out there though, of course, quality varies wildly. |
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merkurix
Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Location: Not far from the deep end.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:59 am Post subject: |
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If a month-long TEFL or CELTA coursework certificate is going to be the official measuring stick that this new (fringe?) party will use, then I am grossly unqualified.
Forget having an MA or BA in Education.
Forget having a teaching credential to teach ESL in my home country.
Forget years of teaching experience on the peninsula.
It's the CELTA/TEFL that matters. 
*Sorry for sounding so negative, but 'tis my response for reading about such backwards observations and proposals.
Okay, back to work.  |
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Boodleheimer
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Location: working undercover for the Man
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:11 am Post subject: |
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i'm sure they'll get lots more applicants if they tighten restrictions on this.
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hubba bubba
Joined: 24 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:15 am Post subject: |
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| I missed the part where he said Korean English teachers should be able to speak the language they are paid (by the government) to teach. |
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merkurix
Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Location: Not far from the deep end.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:20 am Post subject: Re: "32% of Native English Teachers Found Unqualified&q |
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| that guy wrote: |
says Lee Kyung-sook of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) Tuesday.
| The Korea Times wrote: |
One third of foreigners teaching English in Korea were found to have taught without appropriate certificates, said Rep. Lee Kyung-sook of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) Tuesday.
A total of 997 foreigners have been hired from 2004 through 2006 to teach English at English immersion programs nationwide, while as many as 326 or 32.7 percent of them were found not to have certificates such as the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), which is essential to teach the language here, Lee said.
His assertion was based on research into 746 English immersion programs organized between 2004 and 2006 by 16 education offices across the country.
Daegu was found to be the most vulnerable area for the employment of teachers.
Of 47 foreigners hired, as many as 32 or 68.1 percent were considered unqualified.
In North Jeolla Province, 65 percent or 28 foreigners out of 43 employed did not have any certificates.
The rates in South and North Gyeongsang Provinces were also found to hover at over 50 percent.
To improve the quality of the program, it is essential to provide students with teachers with appropriate certificates, the lawmaker said.
[email protected] |
While he's correct stating that most teachers don't have a CELTA or TESOL, I believe that the current "qualifications" don't include such certificates.
What do you think? Is Korea going to require certification in the future?
I'm getting a little tired of everyone and their Daum cafe throwing around the word unqualified without addressing the issue of who sets the qualifications. |
I am in agreeance. I really hope that our Korean translating pals over at Gesomoon and Dreamwiz G-Cafe get a hold of this and discuss this very valid point. |
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dogshed
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:21 am Post subject: |
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If I went out and got a PhD the students in my adult
class still wouldn't practice the assignments I give them.
I think the Koreans need to change something they do. |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:29 am Post subject: |
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It just goes to show that this Korean politician doesn't know jack.
The CELTA is for adult learners.
He was discussing children, am I wrong?
Next thing they'll complain about: We have all of these unqualified Western Ear/Nose/Throat doctors, and they don't even have their Proctology specification!
The tragedy!
Now shut-up, Mr. Lee Kyung-sook, while I have sex with another one of your women.
Last edited by bassexpander on Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:31 am; edited 2 times in total |
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luv2dance79
Joined: 01 Jun 2007
Location: Suwon
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:30 am Post subject: |
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[quote="Real Reality"]Well, how about requiring Korean English teachers to teach in English?
School English Classes: Quality of Teaching Appears to Be Diminishing
HA...I totally agree! I hear all my co-teachers speaking Korean, yet the boss is so insistant on this "Only English" policy. Yeah right, if the teachers are speaking Korean and the kids are as well...then they are not going to stop speaking Korean in my class.
On another note, I often feel like my school looks down on me because I don't have a certificate. They continually seem to hold it against me...and I wonder "Then why the hell did you hire me in the first place?" |
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