Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xingyiman]

I was wondering what everyone thinks will happen now with the new VISA regs in place? Personally I see the potential collapse of the hagwon industry. Now I know that many sympathizers might welcome this news but to me it seems frightening seeing what a big chunk of the economy these places account for. It's no mystery that a hagwon sans a native speaker loses money. But what about the 1000's of schools who might not be able to get one at all? Owners don't have enough money to pay $6000.00 a month to potential newbies in order to sweeten the deal enough for someone to endure the hardships. Do you possibly see offers of reimbursement of processing expenses by employers for travel to the consulate interview? The majority of people coming here aren't awash in unlimited financial resources and I know that if I was initially required to make a trip to Chicago (nearest city with a consulate) I would have never come here because I didn't have the money for that kind of trip. I have heard people talking about how this might end the refuse of teachers that end up in Korea. But the bottom of the barrel teachers aren't the only ones who will be put off by the new regs but anyone with limited resources in my opinion and this sadly amounts to the majority of applicants to these jobs. I really don't think the reality of what is about to happen has hit anyone yet. I'm sure glad I'm employed in a different country.

[IncognitoHFX]

In that scenario I can forsee teachers working at public schools instead of regular schools and I'm certain there is not enough schools in all of Korea to provide jobs for all the teachers present; hagwon, and non-hagwon.

[I-am-me]

I just wonder how many dollars are going to be pulled out of the korean economy if there is a mass exodus of teachers. I wonder if it would even put a dent in their economy?

[Homer]

[GaryCooper]

I lived through 1997, where we saw our pay soar from 820 won to the dollar to 2000 won by the end of the year. People acted impulsively in response to this, bailing on their contracts, sometimes appropriately, sometimes not. (It was not until the last few months that the won has traded in the triple rather than the quadruple digits.) That part of the hogwan industry that employed foreigners adjusted to the changes. The industry didn't collapse.

In 2002, a virulent strain of anti-Americanism created a climate where foreigners regardless of nationality were getting attacked and accosted by Koreans on the street. North Korea, at the same time, was rattling its saber quite heavily. Some people left, including yours truly, but Koreans retreated from the anti-American trend -- Korea was in no position to do without American soldiers -- and the hogwan industry kept going.

In early 2005, it was open season on foreign English teachers. The English Spectrum scandal gor Koreans thinking seriously about foreign teacher credentials. A few fights occurred. I'll bet you lots of people left, but the industry marched on.

The industry can continue. There are many fallback positions that they have.

Foreigners could descend on a single hogwan in a city, specializing in teaching pronunciation or other matters that Korean teachers have had difficulty conveying, so that Koreans can take on the role of language model with their students rather than having us do it. Unlikely, sure, but possible.

The industry could appeal to immigration in a manner that removes teeth from the laws or reverses the law completely.

Raised salaries can get more seasoned and professional teachers into the Korean hogwan. No, they won't go up to six thousand bucks a month. That would be absurd.

Yeah, I suppose it's going to be a headache for a lot of people, but we've seen worse. Adjustments will be made as the chronically indignant leave. We'll have a bit of confusion for a few months, by which time the market shall adjust or the government will adjust or both. We'll most likely have fewer but better teachers than we do now.

Crises are good. Korea learns from them. So do you. Rules change. The preconditions change. The market changes. It ain't paradise. Get used to it. Learn from it and adjust. If you stink as a teacher, then believe all the scare stories and run for your lives. If you're one of the good ones, do what it takes to stay in the country. We could certainly use you.

[twg]

[The_Eyeball_Kid]

[Juregen]

What these regulations require is nothing more then better planning.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[spliff]

[xingyiman]

[lastat06513]

Ummm........
I think I am the only person on the board that thinks the hakwon industry is not going to collapse but in fact increase as the amount of illegal teachers coming to Korea increases.

I think there will be many people from a particular country that will take advantage of both the regs and their 6-month visa status to augment the shortages these regs will create as some legit teachers exit Korea.

If you go to English Spectrum, Myenglishjob.co.kr, and teachkorea.co.kr in a few months after the regulations take effect, you might see an upswing in private and part-time jobs opening up.

I see the underground ESL market getting bigger as the legit market dwindle due to a lack of serious government thinking and concern for its foreign residents along with a lack of common business sense.....

But I wouldn't run to Japan and get a C-3 visa just yet......again, a wait and see attitude is needed......
And also, as all Canadians have continuously said: Korea WON'T restrict the 6-month visa rule for Canadians as it would be reciprocated by Koreans being restricted from staying for 6-months in Canada.......Basically in the end, it will become a battle Korea just can't win.....