By Rafael Sabio
Contributing Writer
Being an EFL instructor in South Korea for three years has really opened my eyes to the blanket ignorance that shrouds the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development here in this beautiful country. Is it not a wonder why over $10 billion was spent on English education in South Korea in 2006, and yet there has been no noticeable improvement in the English education system?
Moreover, is it not comprehensible that the average Korean’s ability to intelligibly handle the English language is mediocre at best? Despite the exorbitant amount of money and time spent learning English, Koreans just aren’t learning! Why is this? Has the ministry no idea of the cause? Perhaps I can shed some light on this appalling phenomenon.
Koreans are not learning English due to the lack of competent instructors. Currently, the Ministry of Justice only requires those wishing to teach English as a foreign language to provide the following _ a valid passport (from an English speaking country); a filled out E-2 class visa application form; a diploma (from any discipline) from a university located in an official English speaking country; transcripts from an institution
Nowhere does the Ministry of Justice state that an instructor of the English language must have some type of teaching certification, experience, or relevant credentials in order to teach. Rather, they state, ``In principle, a foreign language instructor shall be a native speaker of the language taught.’’
The aforementioned criteria are the minimal requirements that must be met in order for a foreigner to teach English in Korea. Unbelievable isn’t it? Well, what about Korean’s teaching English? What requirements do they need?
Today, Koreans wishing to teach English as a foreign language are required to have only a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. In other words, a Korean can teach English without really knowing the language.
Do the two ministries think that by pouring even more money into English education that the problem will be remedied? Moreover, do they think that by hiring more native English speaking teachers that the problem will eventually go away? Sadly, they are mistaken. Hiring more English teachers is not the answer. Rather, hiring those qualified to teach the language is.
With the demand currently outweighing the supply, it’s understandable why Korea would continue to hire unqualified people; they need them. English education has undergone a consistent increase in overall student enrollment since 1999. In 1999, approximately 61,000 people were recorded as having been enrolled in English “hagwons.” In 2002, the number rose to a little more than 66,000.
Then in 2004, the number increased again to almost 69,000. Finally, in 2005, student enrollment in English hagwons was recorded at a staggering 71,000 enrollees. The Ministry of Finance reported that this enrollment trend is expected to continue. These were the numbers that were reported. Imagine the numbers that were not.
Who is responsible for the pathetic excuse of an English education system in this country? The answer is: Korea. Who is responsible for setting the guidelines that govern who can teach English as a foreign language? The foreigners currently residing in South Korea do not set the standards.
Also, Koreans teaching English in South Korea do not decide who can and cannot teach. The Korean government and its branches decide. They set the standards and they are the ones that give the yea or nay in allowing someone to teach in this country.
With all of the `interesting’ television shows and documentaries based on the `terrible teachers of Korea,’ one would think the government would take action and correct this problem. Instead, they sit back and do nothing.
It is understood that the academy or hagwon associations exert a lot of influence over the government. Furthermore, because it is such a lucrative business, hagwons are seen as a wonderful source of revenue. Imagine what would happen to the hagwon industry if the government were to tighten the standards that dictate who can and cannot teach.
The industry would collapse and the government and its officials would no longer receive the money they currently do from the private sector. It’s amazing how much influence money can have.
Change must start from within and Korea needs to realize this. I have been living in Korea for three years and am fed-up with the fact that people blame teachers (both Korean and foreign) for the mishaps of the English education system. It is time that people step up and accept responsibility; it is time that blame is placed on the correct cause of the problem. It is time for the Republic of Korea to be held accountable.
ralphsesljunction@hotmail.com
Rafael Sabio is a graduate student at Shenandoah University and has been an EFL instructor in South Korea for three years.