Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TECO]

Japanese universities have been doing this for a while now.

Term-limited contracts are pretty standard.

Go over to the Japan forum and you'll come across guys who are scrambling for new jobs because their contracts are up and non-renewable.

Taiwan doesn't have this - current teachers can stay as long as they like.

[Real Reality]

Disturbing Trend Appearing?, Long termers Not being re-hired.
This only applies to institutuions of higher learning.
Recently we have become aware of 5 cases of employees (teachers) who have worked for 4 or more years, with the same employer, NOT being renewed. (4 years, 2 x 7 years, 8 years, 13 years,). Those who have been told to date include university teachers, college teachers and some Epik teachers. It is a cynical attempt to prevent foreigners from getting tenure should some enterprising teacher take the matter to court.
Author: EFL-Law-Guy Posted: Jan 29 2004

add another one to the list.
I worked at the same university for 4 years and they decided to let me go even though they originally told me I could stay for a maximum of 5 years. I imagined several possible reasons but no real reason was given, something to the effect of we want 'new' teachers.
Author: dg611, Posted: Jan 30 2004
EFL LAW Forum
http://www.koreabridge.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3343

Foreign professors tend to be treated as hired hands, without academic standing, and lacking the possibility of career advancement or tenure. They must submit to yearly contracts (compensated at a rate only 60 percent of their Korean peers) while walled off from the permanent Korean faculty who benefit from travel, research funding, sabbaticals, etc. Moreover, when hundreds of Korean scholars enjoy such perks at American and other foreign universities, something is obviously amiss.
[VIEWPOINT]Foreign scholars merit equal status
by John B. Kotch, JoongAng Ilbo (June 14, 2002)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200206/14/200206142349223599900090109011.html

E-1 Status (Professors)
* In the case of a national or a public University, a foreigner is not permitted to be a full-time professor.
[Republic of Korea] Ministry of Justice, Immigration Bureau
http://www.moj.go.kr/HP/ENG/eng_03/eng_306030.jsp

[Real Reality]

[Park mi-car]

[Canucksaram]

Indeed, kudos to RR for coming through (again).

I one of the many (but seemingly not vocal) board members who appreciate your efforts to share valuable (or interesting) information. Thank you.

[crazylemongirl]

this is part of a PM that efl law sent me on all these rumours flying about

[Park mi-car]

[ajuma]

Geez...I'm glad that that EFL-Law guy doesn't teach English!!

[different]

[TECO]

It's gonna be interesting.

As mentioned, many Japanese universities have already gone this route.

Also, several years back, the Taiwanese Government made it illegal for universities to hire any teacher with only a B.A. degree. All instructors must now have a minimum of a Master level education. The MOE screens all university English teachers in Taiwan and then issues them a teaching license.

So, it wouldn't surprise me if the Korean MOE starts interferring and stipulating the conditions of hiring university foreign English teachers.

Of course, this could have both positive and negative ramificaitons.

[Zark]

For some clarity - or perhaps to further muddy the water a bit . . .

The university where I teach explains it this way.

After three years - a foreign teacher must be put into a comparable position as his/her Korean counterparts - and must be compensated comparably.

Mine is a [historically] decent school and most of the foreigners have been around much longer than I have - (One of them at 8 years - I'm at 2.5 years right now) and they have all been given time limits - when their positions will be REVIEWED - not that they will have to leave at that time - BUT that at that time the university must decide if you will stay or not - at about a 50% pay increase. However, the tone underlying the message of review has been, "Time to go." Thus we have been given the impression - that not many (if any) will stay. One, that I know of, has been told that their department will request (from the powers that be) such a "permanent" position.

Though we all huff and puff about the three-year "rule" (and how it p*sses on foreigners) - my school does also apply it to the Korean professors. One just a few offices down from mine - has been told it is time to move on - his three years are up.

I've read it both ways - and who really knows what the truth is - my school says it is law. Though, I tend to interpret (no facts behind this other than reading and thinking) the changes as more of an implementation of personnel law - where the schools have a three-year policy that has NOT been implemented consistently - and they have perhaps lost or been threatened by lawsuits that "encourage" them to implement policies in a uniform manner. Same way back home if you had personnel policies that were inconsistently enforced - you would soon find yourself in the midst of a lawsuit. And or your company hears of such problems and tries to put its system into an order that better complies with a changing legal environment.

We shouldn't be too surprised that this is being implemented inconsistently - it is how change tends to take place here.

Who knows!? We'll see soon enough . . .

[pocariboy73]

Just out of curiosity, do you guys work in a National or Private University? Question goes out to Zark, Park mi-car, Hanson, etc and all others who have the 3 yr "rule" talk being implemented at your University.

Private or Public University?

[Park mi-car]

[Park mi-car]

[Park mi-car]