Korean Job Discussion Forums

[garykasparov]

03-17-2008 17:43

Program for English Teachers

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/opi_view.asp?newsIdx=20865&categoryCode=168

By Jason Lim

This is the third installment of a three-part series on the results of the online survey of native English-speaking teachers on the new president's proposed English immersion plan. - ED.

This is the most important one in that it will group and list the major complaints and policy recommendations on recruiting and retaining native English-speaking teachers, as voiced by the teachers themselves. Needless to say, the results and recommendations that I present here reflect the overall results of the online survey ― individual experiences and opinions will vary.

From the survey results as I presented in my previous column, it was apparent that a lack of open and frequent communication has led to a widespread sense of us vs. them; between management and teachers that precludes any possibility of a collaborative effort that could improve the learning experience of Korean students. This has inevitably led to a sense of deep distrust between the two sides, creating infrastructural issues that define many teachers' negative experiences in Korea.

Specific issues most often mentioned included the onerous and confusing visa granting process, the lack of a recognized association acting both as a representative and resource, no official and efficient redress process for management abuses and contract violations, no mandatory health insurance, and an overly structured and ineffective curriculum. There was a general sense of being treated as commodities rather than partners, which arose directly from their non-inclusion in the decision-making processes that affect the quality of their lives.

The answers to the question, ``What factors do you think will be the most important for the Korean government to recruit and retain a quality crop of native English-speaking teachers over the next few years?" were very comprehensive and insightful, reflecting the overall tone of the results of the survey. In the interest of translating these opinions into implementable policy recommendations, I grouped them into two sets.

The first set contains recommendations that could be spearheaded and managed by a centralized rule-making and enforcement body with statutory powers. These are:

Reformulate the visa system so as to create a smooth process without unduly placing the burden of proof on the applicants.

Allow the visas to be portable after one-year. This will avoid the indentured-servitude type of contractual obligations that promote abuses by the owners of the private institutes. Freedom of movement of labor will also create the market incentive infrastructure in which the better and more experienced teachers get paid more with better benefits.

Set a minimum set of mandatory national standards for contracts. This will allow basic protection for both institutions and teachers while allowing flexibility in negotiation. A minimum health insurance requirement could be made an essential element of these standards.

Create a confidential redress process through which employee rights and conflicts can be resolved in a fair, inclusive, and transparent way. This could mean setting up a hotline manned by English-speaking, experienced labor-relations advisors who can help the teacher get the ball rolling.

Set minimum professional qualifications standards for incoming English teachers, tied to the visa process. However, allow for grandfathering so as not to unfairly penalize current teachers, giving professional credits for experience. Also allow them to upgrade their qualifications while working in Korea by providing channels for professional development.

Conduct inspections of institutions for violations of any of the rules regarding employee rights and other labor issues. At the same time, conduct random drug testing of English teachers to ensure that the teachers are held to the highest standards.

The second set of recommendations could be spearheaded and managed by a professional development body that does not necessarily have to be a part of the government.

Create a standard cultural adjustment program for all incoming and even current teachers. This could help the new teachers adjust to different ways of looking, doing, and reacting, especially teaching them practical, everyday things such as banking and shopping. This will eliminate a lot of unnecessary hassles that negatively color a teacher's first impression of Korea. Going through these classes with others will also allow new teachers to create a supportive network of fellow teachers in similar situations.

Offer teachers who have been in Korea for more than one year a three-track professional development opportunity to either earn a professional certificate in English teaching (e.g. TESOL), one in professional curriculum design, or one in business management of English teaching institutions in Korea. All these professional certificate programs could be customized to the unique needs and situations in Korea. Scholarships can be offered with these programs, on the condition of obligatory service afterwards.

Provide a centralized job-swap site in which teachers that have attained portable visas can advertise, recruit, and trade jobs with one another. For example, someone might like not like the hustle and bustle of Seoul and want to move to a coastal city. He could trade job with a teacher who is in a coastal rural town who wants to experience the city life. Their needs could be matched up via this centralized job-swap website and initiate a discussion between their institutions to begin the process of exchanging teachers. This program, when expended, could make the in-country recruiting of teachers easier and bypass the recruiting agency strangle-hold that generates so many complaints.

Jason Lim is a research fellow at the Harvard Korea Institute, researching Asian leadership models. He can be reached at [email protected].

[jkelly80]

Before somebody makes a snarky comment, I'll say I think that was a good article.

[Unposter]

Agreed.

Far too sensible.

[some waygug-in]

Some very good ideas and suggestions there. I just hope someone in power is listening.