Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cmxc]

So the Korean Education department wants to reduce the amount of money Korean households spend on private education. They have decided that English kindys are too expensive, so to fix this raging social problem, they wish to ban native speakers from working in them.

The only thing Korean politicians are good for is making me feel better that as bad as American politicians can be, at least they aren't as bad as Korean politicans.

This has to be the most asinine 'solution' ever proposed. FFS, Koreans need to IMPROVE their ENGLISH skills, not keep them at the current levels. Early education helps. If Korea really wanted to help, they would be doing all they can to increase the numbers of native speakers, not ban them.


Native speakers may be barred from English-only kindergartens
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/12/116_170108.html

[Lucas]

I see the market flooded with bear and cowboy fancy dress costumes next year then!

[Chaparrastique]

K-government seems to be jealous of private industry competing with their state-funded services.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

"English-only." Yeah, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

[radcon]

The Korean government slams hakwons and says they are a waste of money etc etc. Do they realize how many Koreans rely on that industry to make a living? It is not a few.

[Savant]

"At these kindergartens, children, mostly five or younger, must speak English only, which makes these institutes popular among parents. The institutes charge 793,000 won ($724) a month on average, almost double the cost of other kindergartens, but waiting lists are still long."

I think the author has confused Private Kindergartens (Hagwons) with Government-run Kindergartens; where, for the latter there is a fierce demand among parents to obtain a place for their child.

[saram_]

Good to see this government is continuing to address the imbalances and unfairness between the families of the haves and have nots.

Families are spending sickening amounts on well off Kindergartens as it is.
A bit more common sense is needed by all.

Life here is all about keeping up with the Jones'.

Hopefully its a decent step on reducing the amount of money families need to spend to educate their kids here.
The pressure has always been intense.

[Chaparrastique]

[World Traveler]

Was this part of the article necessary?: (>_<)

Excessive English education in Korea has also raised questions of teachers' qualifications. Very few arrive with a license or teaching experience, and private English institutes have a thin screening process. Stories of an ex-convict or a drug dealer found teaching at these private institutes shows the dubious screening methods.

[tob55]

It took me some time to look over everything and try and gain some understanding of what was being said. Finally it hit me that the logic of the MOE is this: if they ban foreign native speakers from the workforce in these Kindergartens, then there would be less appeal for parents to send their children to places where they had to rely on Korean-English speakers to provide an English-only speaking environment, which is never going to happen.

I believe the crux of the matter was on making sure the environment for young people in these school less "English friendly" if it can be said that way. How many of your own Korean co-workers do you know that could go through the largest portion of their working day speaking no Korean in the workplace? I know of perhaps one or two among the 30 - 40 professional colleagues I work with who are Korean that MIGHT be able to do it.

So, the end result is that the odds are against being able to provide an English-only environment in the kindergartens, resulting in declining enrollment.

That's my take on it. Cheers

[Who's Your Daddy?]

I'd guess they mean they will ban kindergartens from sponsoring E2 visa workers?

If a foreigner has an F2/f6/f5 visa they have the right to work any where. So I don't see how a foreigner with that visa could be banned from working in a kindergarten. And if they can be banned, that's troubling.

[tob55]

[Stan Rogers]

"may be barred"

I'll believe it when I see it.

[dairyairy]

They'll be flooded with illegal "teachers."

[Chaparrastique]