Korean Job Discussion Forums

[garykasparov]

E-2 visa changes lack perspective

I am in support of most of the changes pertaining to the E2 Visa eligibility requirements as formulated by the Korean Immigration Ministry. Certainly, the call for mandatory criminal history checks is a wise decision. Such checks are required in countries such as Australia before a person can be employed in a position that involves close contact with children. The safeguarding of children from contact with pedophiles is an important step in the right direction for any country.

I am less convinced about mandatory medical checks for HIV and narcotics. Communicable diseases such as tuberculosis would, theoretically, pose more of a threat to children in Korea than HIV. Whereas HIV is largely contracted through the exchange of human body fluids, tuberculosis can be contracted from inhalation alone.


Paradoxically, according to World Health Organization data from 2006, incidences of tuberculosis in Korea are more common than in countries where native English speakers are recruited from -- including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain. Therefore, statistically speaking, a native English teacher has a higher risk of contracting TB from a Korean than the reverse situation. It makes one wonder whether targeting foreigners for HIV and narcotics is more of an act of stigmatization than sound and scientific medical prudence.


Regarding the verification of academic qualifications, I have taught in Korea since 2003. Each and every year I have had to obtain sealed transcripts and present my original degree. I would have thought that once was enough. The onus is on the immigration authorities to have a system whereby verification is recorded and therefore is not required for each and every subsequent renewal. It would seem that the problem here lies in the bureaucracy as opposed to the individual applicant. That said, I once worked alongside a Canadian who did have fake educational credentials.

She obtained her fake degree with the help of a Korean recruiter.


One last question remains unanswered. If the Korean government is serious about protecting the interests of children, why not take a good long look at the operation of private institutes and hagwon? Most are owned and operated by individuals who have no academic credentials; conduct their business practices in dubious fashion; have an unsavory reputation by any stretch of the imagination or search of the internet; and who put profit over quality education every day of the week.


The education of young minds in the hands of a greedy and under-regulated corporate sector is indeed a dangerous thing. One could argue that hagwon are collectively more of a blight and problem than any native English teacher is.


What seems to be missing from this whole debacle is proportion and rational perspective.


Gavin John Currie

Sangha Middle School


2007.12.26

[BreakfastInBed]

Amen. Mr. Currie's are the soundest and sanest statements I've yet read about the new regulations. I agree 100%.

[Boodleheimer]

agreed.

[normalcyispasse]

+1.

[PGF]

nice.

i had a private adult tell me how there is no TB in korea....and he lived in the states for 5 years..... he said it comes from the US even though I showed him evidence that the US has pretty much eradicated TB...... but no dice-ey..... korea #1 pay me, you're rightey- korea number 1 I'm not here to teach logic....just english-e

any korean jackas8ses want a good teacher who will let them be korean, call me at 010=5474=(%$$*

as long as you pay, I will let you live in fantasy land........

$$