Korean Job Discussion Forums

[brucefox]

I just heard from my group leader that GEPIK will no longer renew contracts or hire newbies in March either!
They will only hire/renew in September.
I didn't believe her so I went on to the official GEPIK website and sure enough, it said contracts are to start from late August.

I also checked the recruiting companies' websites for GEPIK, and they all said the contracts now begin from late August.

This is crazy. The Korean school year starts in March, why are they doing this to their own kids and to NETs!

The funny thing is there are still job postings for GEPIK positions that do not start in September. Well, she did say this change comes into effect next year. And that the general elections this November will change things as well.

[shostahoosier]

Well, the JET Programme only hires in August.

...GEPIK is no JET Programme though

[World Traveler]

There is a new plan to phase out native English teachers in EPIK and GEPIK. The MOE is paying to send younger public school English teachers abroad to the United States for one year to study in community colleges to improve their English in an immersion environment. After that they will have a competent English teacher for life instead of having to pay for plane tickets to and from the U.S. (or other Western country) year after year to fly in NETs. This will save money. I confirmed this is happening from Korean professionals I met studying in the United States.

[Captain Corea]

And I've taught some of those teachers.

[ThingsComeAround]

[World Traveler]

Right, it may not work, but it is being done regardless.

Korean teachers have told me about this plan. It is already underway.

Did you know that in many places across the world (such as much of the Middle East), higher education is taught solely in English. This makes sense as, for example, 95% of the world's scientific literature is published in English. To become an expert in one's field, it is often necessary to become proficient in English.

Remember when the president suggested teaching subjects in all English, but there was such an outcry the idea was axed?

So, yes, I agree South Korea takes a somewhat divergent view when it comes to English education.

[rainism]

the November elections may change lots of things again, but as things stand I fully expect a drastic reduction in gepik net numbers next year.

One guy who teaches at an elementary school nearby won't get renewed because the funding has been cut off. That's highly unusual for an elementary school though he also mentioned there's some new teacher handler at the school, an old guy who doesn't believe net's are necessary.

my school's funding runs out next year, and if I had to bet, I'd heavily bet their net funding will be cut off as well.

but that's ok. It's been a good run and I'm kinda Korea'ed out anyways.
Time to try and go somewhere new.

[Triban]

Ha! Bruce, you're all worried about what was said in the meeting? It'll work out, don't worry!

Be proctive, but when March rolls around there will be plenty of jobs...I guarantee.

[Ramen]

[MoneyMike]

What do you guys think, if the number of foreign teachers in public schools goes down, will that cause an increased demand at hagwons?

I would say so, even if we are seen as unnecessary by the public system, I still think there would be the perception among parents that foreign teachers are very important.

[amoonbot]

SMOE is also phasing out its high school NETs. Current high school NETs can renew but from 8/2011, SMOE (working with EPIK) will only hire elementary, middle, and some global high schools. I currently work at a high school and although I am renewing with my school, my coteacher told me that once I leave, there won't be a replacement teacher. SMOE believes that high school NET education is "ineffective" because the curriculum is so loose.

[goat]

[ThingsComeAround]

[ThingsComeAround]

[Ramen]