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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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 Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: No Visas for Unqualified English Instructors |
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| jessie-b wrote: |
| marlow wrote: |
| jessie-b wrote: |
| marlow wrote: |
Anyone thinking about coming to Korea--DON'T. Go to China instead. There are more jobs, and the pay is better--TRUST ME. |
You really think so? The pay seems to be less. |
I was being arrogantly sarcastic. I should use the  , I guess. |
ooooohhhhh. |
It was his best shawner88 impersonation |
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twg
Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Location: Getting some fresh air...
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: No Visas for Unqualified English Instructors |
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Ooo, just as I was getting considering leaving for good.
What does a medical history have to do with teaching qualifications?
Anyway, it's meaningless as long as the hagwon industry continues to be the fly by night money grab it is. Fix that up and the problem with creepy teachers will decrease |
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tomwaits
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Location: PC Bong
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Keep in mind wev'e been hearing some variation on this theme since 2001 and nothing has happened yet. |
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The_Conservative
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Whistleblower wrote: |
The article is just pointing out the obvious visa restrictions. No degree equals no visa!!!
I was having a chat with a Korean friend yesterday and he agreed that many teachers in Korea have limited experience and/or little qualifications. We started talking about visa restrictions for teachers etc and I came up with a pretty good idea really.
Imagine that the more qualified teachers have a chance to get a better visa (like indefinite leave to remain in Korea - F5) and the less qualified teachers have visa restrictions (like on the current E2). This would have the positive effect of getting qualified or non-qualified teachers interested in professional development and Korea gains more qualified teachers. It is common sense really but I don't think Korea would consider it. It is too easy.
Thus, the quality of teachers in Korea rises and everyone is a winner. Korea becomes more open and there is a better sense of multi-culturalism.
What do you think? |
Who would determine what these qualifications are? And what's the cut-off point?
To list just one problem. Who is "more qualified" somewhat with a PhD in Language Arts and qualifications up the ying-yang...but who has never taugh before (except maybe as a T.A) or someone who only has a B.A but who has been teaching for ten years and gets glowing reviews from his students, co-teachers and adminstration?
What weights more towards becoming qualified? Experience or a degree? Are they weighted equally? If so the PhD who once he had a few years of teaching under his belt would seem to be more qualified and get a higher pay then the teacher's who's been teaching longer but only has a B.A.
If they are not weighted equally, then what is more important? How much and who decides this? Would courses be designed and held for those people who want professional development every year? Do you have to stay current?
Besides which the vast majority of teachers are here for the experience...not to become teachers. They would have little interest if any in professional development. Plus if courses were designed they could be expensive...further dragging down interest
Look at the union threads. Lots of people saying they'd join an union and what happened when a meeting was finally called to discuss this?
15 (fifteen) people showed up. Despite all the talk and interest over the years...only 15 people came.
Probably get the same reaction were courses to be offered. Doesn't make much sense to hold them for only 15-20 people. |
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mrsquirrel
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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You can just do your own medical certificate if you want.
Get somebody else to sign it. |
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whatever
Joined: 11 Jun 2006
Location: Korea: More fun than jail.
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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| A medical history?! Unless it has something to do with screening for current infectious diseases, that's just f*cking offensive. Tell them to go piss up a flagpole. |
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Octavius Hite
Joined: 28 Jan 2004
Location: Househunting, looking for a new bunker from which to convert the world to homosexuality.
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| A medical history?! Unless it has something to do with screening for current infectious diseases, that's just f*cking offensive. Tell them to go piss up a flagpole. |
All public school teachers MUST submit a yearly physical that covers general stuff (cholesterol, TB, blood diseases, eyesight, cancer, etc.) and its not so bad, but I can't see every English teacher getting one done.
Also in the 90's the government tried to make HIV testing madatory for work visa's but that was quashed when Middle Eastern countries said they would do the same to Korean contractors. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Octavius Hite wrote: |
| All public school teachers MUST submit a yearly physical that covers general stuff (cholesterol, TB, blood diseases, eyesight, cancer, etc.) and its not so bad, but I can't see every English teacher getting one done. |
I have never had a medical for employment in Korea (going on 7 years now) and yes, I work in the public school system.
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Octavius Hite
Joined: 28 Jan 2004
Location: Househunting, looking for a new bunker from which to convert the world to homosexuality.
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| I have never had a medical for employment in Korea (going on 7 years now) and yes, I work in the public school system. |
WOW, you found an inconsistency in Korean labour practices, give yourself a medal.
Every public school teacher in my city and everyone I have ever met has had to go through the physical once a year. |
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freshking
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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| I worked at an elementary school last year. The foreigners in their first yaer, myself and one other guy, didn't have to do any of the health screen, but the two foreigners who had been there for a couple of years had to do it. Maybe it's once every other year? I don't work there anymore, so I don't know. And just out of curiosity, why would this position by the Korean government cause you to leave Hite? |
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kat2
Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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| I would be absolutely offended if an employer asked to see my medical history before even hiring me. At least the public school thing is after hiring. I've been at my public school 1.5 years, and though being asked to, haven't had the checkup yet. |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| The_Conservative wrote: |
Who would determine what these qualifications are?
Well, for one I was considering just teaching qualifications as well as the degree. Teaching qualifications not only complement experience but also improve professional development in teaching. There are many related fields within teaching.
And what's the cut-off point?
I am not sure what you mean with this question. Could you please provide an example.
To list just one problem. Who is "more qualified" somewhat with a PhD in Language Arts and qualifications up the ying-yang...but who has never taugh before (except maybe as a T.A) or someone who only has a B.A but who has been teaching for ten years and gets glowing reviews from his students, co-teachers and adminstration?
Again teaching qualifications (CELTA, TEFL, TESOL, etc) would be complemented with a teaching experience. So the natural progression for any career English Teacher would be professional development even if that includes getting more related qualifications. Thus, it would help not only schools but also teachers themselves.
What weights more towards becoming qualified? Experience or a degree? Are they weighted equally?
Not sure if this what I meant as teaching qualifications. I was speaking more about teaching credentials (CELTA, TEFL, TESOL, etc). But any experience or academic field would be complemented with a practical EFL Course such as the CELTA or TEFL.
If they are not weighted equally, then what is more important? How much and who decides this? Would courses be designed and held for those people who want professional development every year? Do you have to stay current?
Well if teachers wish to stay up to date with current teaching methods etc then they could join some accreditation or become a member of a teaching group (IATEFL, visit the British Council for training, organise teaching groups). There is plenty teachers can do themselves. The idea was merely a "carrot on the stick" approach with improving teachers qualifications via the visa route.
Besides which the vast majority of teachers are here for the experience...not to become teachers. They would have little interest if any in professional development. Plus if courses were designed they could be expensive...further dragging down interest
Would you wish to stay in this country with more freedom and the chance to teach privately? Would you like to improve your employability? Well the ones that don't will simply be replaced with more qualified teachers. Imagine two guys go for a good job in Korea. One has teaching experience, qualifications, been on a teachers course, etc and the other nothing. It isn't difficult who would be selected based upon their competence.
Look at the union threads. Lots of people saying they'd join an union and what happened when a meeting was finally called to discuss this?
This is not about a union. It was merely an idea for improving Korea's teachers.
15 (fifteen) people showed up. Despite all the talk and interest over the years...only 15 people came.
Probably get the same reaction were courses to be offered.
Well I don't believe you are thinking outside the box. Try to be more open minded about new ideas. For your information I was looking at this problem of teachers at the perspective of a Korean and thinking how to improve it. |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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What does having a college degree have to do with being qualified to teach English and how does it verify at all that one is not a pedophile?
What a pointless uproar. |
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renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Qinella wrote: |
What does having a college degree have to do with being qualified to teach English and how does it verify at all that one is not a pedophile?
What a pointless uproar. |
my thoughts exactly.
Degree =/= teaching qualification |
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inseoul
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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| jinju wrote: |
| Im on an F5. Nothing worries me. |
does that mean you are married?
doesnt it worry you everytime you step out the door and see all the young single girls cruising around?
doesnt it bother you every saturday night when you have to be home by 10pm and things are just heating up? |
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