Korean Job Discussion Forums

[canukteacher]

I have spent much of this week looking for assistance in English, and to no avail.

I went to immigration in person. They were of no help. I kept being told "talk to your employer". They don't get it. My employer is angry at me and will not talk. The situation I'm in has been caused by my employer. The guy I did talk to could speak some English but not enough to understand my situation.

I phoned the Foreign Workers Council. Again, the person answering the phone had very limited English skills, and he is the English contact. He could not help me.

I phoned the Seoul Bar Association. The supposedly offer an English speaking service on Monday's between 1 and 5. I had to go down in person. The lawyer did not speak a word of English. The receptionist (who was a lovely young lady) translated my story to the lawyer. She had difficulty comprehending what I was saying, so who knows what the lawyer was actually told.

I have contacted the Canadian Embassy. These organizations are on their lists as providing legal assistance in English. They also provided a list of lawyers. I have contacted several and have been told that they do not deal with "English Teacher matters".

I also phoned a number that was on here. The guy could speak English,
but no help. He thought I should go to the dept of Education.

So guy and gals it seems we are on our own here when it comes to any service or assistance in English. God help us.

Lasly, I have contacted EFL Law. They have been very helpful, but still not answering my question.

CT

[prosodic]

Well, what's the situation you're trying to get resolved? And what exactly are you trying to achieve with this post? Do you want help or do you just want people to commiserate with you? You never ask a question after all.

I know that I've gotten help in the past from the Ministry of Labor and from Immigration. Their English wasn't great, but we were able to communicate sufficiently. And with EFL-Law, you certainly cannot blame anything on Paul's lack of English skills.

I'm going to be completely honest, so please don't take this the wrong way. Right now, I'm wondering a couple of things. First, I'm wondering if your complaints are so trivial that they're not worth following up by these various lawyers and legal agencies. Second, I'm wondering if you were this general and unconvincing when you explained your situation to immigration and the other places. Like I said, don't take this the wrong way. If you explain your reason for seeking help, maybe I would side with you and complain about the inadequacies of the system. But right now, it looks like you're just whining.

[lush72]

Did you try the Seoul Help center for foreigners?

You can call them as well- 2-731-6800

[tomato]

Prosodic, maybe Canuk Teacher doesn't want to explain the problem to us because it's too personal.

[prosodic]

[canukteacher]

Prosodic, I have obviously annoyed you big time. You know I thought long and hard before posting here because of the often intolerant attitudes of people on this board. Anyway, enough of that. I have no desire to attack you. Let me begin by saying.....this is not the question and answer forum. I did not post to have a question. anwered. I posted to warn teachers of what they are up against if they are trying to find legal help in English. This is only my experience. It sounds like you have had more success. I am sincerely pleased that you have.

Now as far as my so called whining goes. How does being jobless and homeless at the end of the month sound to you.......simply because I gave proper notice, and the director is unhappy.

But again, my reason for posting was to warn teachers how difficult it can be to find legal assistance in English.

CT

[Hollywoodaction]

Now you know how French Canadians living outside of Quebec feel...Oh, I take that back. You don't because English isn't an official language in Korea.

I remember when some people in my office at a major department of what was called the 'Ministry of Immigration and Human Resources' at the time had their panties in a bunch. They raised a fuss because they had been instructed to answer the customer service line only if they could converse in both official languages. These few people just didn't care that, being the federal government, we were required by law to provide services in both official languages. I guess the request had hurt their mono-lingual pride. Thanfully, it was in New Brunswick so there were enough bilingual people in the office that were more than willing to stand by the decision.

[canukteacher]

Thanks for more intolerance. It is becoming clearer by the moment why I hate this board.

[Hollywoodaction]

[Michelle]

Don't take them personally CT.

A lot of people try to play the devil's advocate on the board, even to the extent of thinking that a teacher has to have done something wrong to get screwed.

It can happen to any of us, let's not think of ourselves as exempt. Plus it's a valid warning.

I hope you got help with your problem.

[Hollywoodaction]

[rapier]

I expect no legal help in korea..I just try to make sure i don't get into a bad situation with my employer in the first place.
The only real clout esl teachers have here, i've noticed, is the ones who are married into a supportive korean family- who sort out and negociate a lot of stuff for them. thats the way to go: you are a commodity, owned by your wife's family. Let them sort it all out in their uniquely korean way with the school director.

[prosodic]

[The Evil Clown]

I experienced the same thing trying to deal with the labor board. I speak enough Korean (very basic) to ask for an english speaker and give my personal information.

The "englishee" speaker to whom I was refered couldn't understand my problem.

"You want to cancel your visa?" they would say.

"No, my employer has cancelled it and is refusing to give me a letter of release and he won't pay me!"

"You want to cancel your visa?"

It went on and on until I gave up and had to basically bribe the boss (with another 30 days basically free labor) to grant the letter of release and pay me the months back wages he owed me.

That wasn't the only time it happened. After contacting immigration, the labor board, the justice department, and basically anyone who could remotely influence my boss I discovered that Korea basically cares nothing for foreigners and makes no serious effort to help those living here.

And yes, they do have a responsibility to staff English speakers. What is this, Angola? EVERY developed nation will have a number of paid translators/interpreters to assist in these types of disputes. And I can speak for America that dishonest and cheating employers would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Unlike this shit hole.

Real Reality has many articles on this. Korea is simply not equipped, either through their inability to act or their indifference, to deal with non-Korean speaking foreigners.

*beep* 'em.

[Skippy]

That is why Korea will never be the number one Asian Business Hub! Seen a few articles basically (sorry no links - I am no Real Reality) simply stating that Korea us simply lacking in English. Which astonds me that they spend all this money and effort to learn yet they are still behind.

Skippy