An Estimated 50,000 Foreigners Teach English in South Korea
The association of foreign language institutes (institute is hagwon in Korean) says that the government should block the inflow of unqualified native English teachers, making clear its opposition to a policy to increase the number of “questionable instructors.’’ According to an article in the Korea Times, “The Korea Association of Foreign Language Academies (KAFLA) complained that the government was “recklessly’’ opening the door to foreigners without building any safeguard against unqualified teachers. The association has about 7,000 members. The association said the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) does not retain data on foreign nationals who have had work experience here. “No hagwon owners want to work with unqualified foreigners. Most hagwon employers terminate contracts of unacceptable foreigners, those guilty of sexual harassment or taking drugs,” general director Choi Chang-jin said.” The article also noted that hagwon owners said they will not hire teachers from the proposed association for native English-speaking instructors, a union-like body. Currently, some 17,500 foreigners are registered with the KIS on English-teaching visas, but if ethnic Koreans are added, the number doubles. KIS estimates about 50,000 foreigners teach English here, including those who are doing so illegally.