Which is basically what the article in the Korea Times should be titled. The new Prez’s transition team is considering issuing visas to teachers from English speaking Asian countries such as the Philippines.
The articles hits on the head when commenting that Nationality is not a legitimate qualification to teach. They want to open the doors to Asian countries that have English as an official language. This is all great if they actually recruit people who have teaching degrees or certificates otherwise isn’t it just more of the same? The article mentions that these Asian English teachers would be primarily for the public sector because they would face the misconception that Asians are behind Caucasians in English proficiency. Hey, while that battle is being fought how about fighting the misconception that all native English speakers are Caucasian?
In fact, while we’re at it, I’ve got a truck load of other misconceptions we can tackle.
I guess these new E2 regs have been putting the squeeze on the number of teachers available in Korea. Which I don’t find surprising at all considering the way the regs were implemented.
Live and learn. In the meantime I say bring on the Asian English teachers! The more the merrier.
