Korean Job Discussion Forums

hocbas · Joined: 21 Jan 2003

Pretty sure that a teacher I work with has a fake degree. Not a 100% sure but all the signs point that way. There would have to be a string of strange coincidences for everything to add up.

tomwaits · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Location: PC Bong

I certainly wouldn't report him if that's what you mean.

Immigration get paid to do that-not us.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

i'm in the mind your own business camp.
you are not even sure of your suspicion.

shakuhachi · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Sydney

And I am nearly 100% sure that you have counterfeit humanity. Why dont you just leave him be?

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I'd tell your boss. Let him check into it. Tell him you think, stress think, that his degree may be bogus. Offer to check into things. But don't accuse the guy unless you have proof.

Yes, immigration is paid to look into these things, but it's up to us to make sure our school is as good as can be. If you know something that might make the school look bad, it's your duty to report it.

KPRROK

*EDITED: for Typo*

Konundrum · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Boston

Sorry, kprok, but I must vehemently disagree.
If you are not 100% sure, you should keep your trap shut. I mean, if you DID metion it to your boss and it wasn't true, you may wreck the entire dynamic of your working environment. Not just between you and your co-workers, but you and your boss. Just think, if your boss goes and accuses him and it's not true, do you think he'll eat the crow or will you have to do it for him?

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

No such thing as secrecy in this country. The conversation will go like this.

Director: Do you have a fake degree? I think it's fake.
Teacher: No way it's real.
Director: Show me your degree.
Teacher: Why do you want to see my degree.
Director: Maybe I think your degree is not real.
Teacher: Well, it's real.
Director: I don't think so. Hocbas, told me you have a fake degree.
Teacher: WTF!!!!

There is no way, you rat out the teacher unless they have done something very bad to you.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Answer these two questions

1. Does he/she do their job?
2. Have they tried to eff with you?

If you answered yes to #1 and no to #2 then MYOB!
I have a friend who teaches in Thailand, no degree but he does have extensive TESL/TEFL training. He is one of the better teachers I have observed. A degree doesnt make you a good teacher just a lack of one doesnt make you a bad one.

Leave well enough alone.

manlyboy · Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 6:47 pm Post subject:

It would depend on the effect that person is having on my space and the people around me. It's a victimless crime imo. No harm; No foul.

margaret · Joined: 14 Oct 2003

Why do you think it's fake?
Margaret

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

superhal · Joined: 25 Feb 2005

just a quick comment: having a degree doesn't give you teaching ability. heck, having a teaching degree doesn't even give that. if they're a rotten teacher, degree status is irrelevant.

legally, they have 6 months to produce a notarized copy of their degree or the degree itself. this is because new graduates sometimes get their actual degree later, so some (hot chicks) are hired early.

hocbas · Joined: 21 Jan 2003

I'm 98.5% sure it is fake. I do not plan to act on it and I agree that a degree does not a good teacher make. Just was wondering what other people thought after discussing it with co-workers. I rarely post here based on the theory you can't have a calm, rational discussion as has been proven again "mind your own friggin business" and "I am nearly 100% sure that you have counterfeit humanity."
Have you ever considered that if the people who have fake degrees were forced to leave it might make conditions better for other teachers but maybe not - I guess it depends on how many there are.

Harvard Material · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

hocbas; if you mention that to the director or manager, do you think he/she/they will actually let this person go and be short one teacher at their institute? They would rather have a teacher present, regardless of status...for now at least.

They hired the person in question. They should have checked the authenticity of the degree during the interview and hiring stages. That is their responsibility, and it isn't a difficult one to perform. Spend fifty bucks and call the bloody university.

Mentioning any suspicions you may have are only going to raise suspicions about you. If you are so concerned about a fake degree why wouldn't you go to an Immigration official instead of the institute? Getting yourself involved will set off alarms with the director. You won't be helping yourself, or the institute, by opening a can of worms you can't close.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

It may also have the effect of your school being short a teacher, thus the boss asking, I mean telling you to work countless hours of free overtime until a suitable replacement can be found. Confused

Maybe immigration will decide to fine the school, and then where does that leave you? The boss will be real happy then. Laughing

Are you sure the guy isn't just here on one of those working student visa things? If he is, then he's perfectly legal............. more or less.

Why do you feel that you "should" report him?

Has he caused any problems for you or your work situation?

If so, then perhaps you have a reason. Otherwise I would just leave it alone. It may come back and bite you in the "ask me no questions".