By Bae Jong-hyun
Intern

As many as 17 native English speakers _ or 12.4 percent of the total 137 _ have been expelled from primary and middle schools in Ulsan for alleged poor teaching methods, demeanor or other reasons, the local education office reported Wednesday.

The office said that it has not renewed their contracts after judging their methods to be inappropriate for teaching students in English.

A written survey was conducted to determine how many acted decently, how faithful they were to their duty, how well they guided students and how well they taught English.

Among the dismissed were those who often yelled at students, argued with Korean teachers assisting them and wore indecent clothes. Some had to visit hospital too often for weight problems and some refused to teach after school, according to the survey.

"Most native English teachers manage conversation classes well with a high level of ability, creating friendly competition with other Korean teachers," an official said. "Some, however, have been dismissed through non-renewal of their contracts on grounds that they had made trouble as a teacher."