Korean Job Discussion Forums

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

From www.esldaily.org
E2 Denied: Korea's Universities, Government Not On Par

It's a tough lesson to learn, but if you're going to teach in Korea, read the fine print. Korea's E2 visa regulations have been transient as of late, but one stipulation that has not changed is the fact you must have a degree from an accredited university from Canada, America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.

A British student studying at the Hangkuk University of Foreign Studies, a prestiguous University in Seoul, recently discovered this hard truth when he applied for an E2 teaching visa just ahead of finishing his English Education degree. XXXXXXXXXX , the British student, recevied the news he had been denied an E2 visa just after Christmas 2007 by the Seoul Immigration Bureau. The Bureau cited that because XXXXXXXXX had not graduated from a University in a native-English speaking country, he did not meet the requirements of the E2 visa.

For further details go to the blogs that first reported this incident:
1. http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/01/22/how-fucked-up-is-koreas-english-teaching-racket/
2. http://eflgeek.com/index.php/eflgeek/comments/english-education-major-denied-visa/

This incident speaks volumes to the dicord between official goverment departments. Korea remains a country where there is an obvious lack of commitment on the part of the government to the quality of its public education system, if a Korean univeristy will train a foreign teacher and then refuse to hire them as one.

Although XXXXXXXX was eventually denied an E2 visa by the Seoul Immigration Bureau, the Seoul Board of Education had given him a green light on receiving a visa prior to the Bureau's decision. The Board of Education should have been aware of the law before misleading XXXXXX. Nevertheless, it is still the responsibility of the student or teacher to be aware of all laws before embarking on such an undertaking.
Article by Spencer McCall.

Gotta feel sorry for this guy. He did his 'teacher training' in a Korean public school and everybody got promotion and face points from it.

I guess he's just another victim of the 'cultural misunderstandings' that seem to be so prevalent here.

boyne11 · Joined: 08 Jul 2007

The guy is probably more qualified than most E-2 teachers here, but they themselves know that getting a degree from any of their university is worthless. Shocked

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

Too funny

Netz · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:44 am Post subject:

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

If this is the case, I don't understand why the 3,000,000 won Sookmyung Womens' University TEFL certification is touted as being "so accepted" by Korean institutions.

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

So can he also not teach in a public school due to that same restriction. He does have credentials to teach Korean public school?

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

No he can't teach anywhere in Korea - public or private without a working/teaching/spouse visa. His Korean degree - and his Korean public school training - are worthless in Korea (and probably in other countries, too).

Funny, the three Korean TV stations that filmed him training (as an example of a Westerner embracing Korean society), didn't mention that he'd never be allowed to teach here.

But that's OK - it's just a 'cultural misunderstanding' (that has cost him a lot of time - money - and I suspect, his faith in human nature).

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

All I gotta say is:

KICK IN THE NUTS.

Though, if a Korean went to Canada and did an undergrad and then B.Ed program, they wouldn't necessarily get a job in Canada either. Mostly because we have too many teacher grads for the jobs that open, so issuing a work visa in that field just wouldn't happen.

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

double

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

I hardly think he's a moron, but yes, a bit of research would have shown him something had to give. However, if he really does have that qualification for public school teaching, so the public licence gained the same as any other Korean public school teacher, I don't believe his problem will last long. I expect he will get some sort of way in.

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

boyne11 · Joined: 08 Jul 2007

He can always apply for Korean citizenship. Then problem solved. Laughing

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

It really does suck for the guy, but he should have checked it out first. I would never have even thought of getting my degree in Korea though. It just doesn't seem smart, as it's use internationally would be consistently questioned if not rejected. Still, it was better than getting a general arts degree Smile