There have been some rumors circulating around several popular blogs and forums concerning the EPIK 2010 Orientation, and we would like to clarify the misinformation.
We sent an email to several of our recruiters detailing the costs of the Orientation for their dependants only. One of our recruiting agencies misinterpreted the email and assumed that all participants would be responsible for the costs and continued to inform their applicants of the changes.
We are working hard to correct this mistake and assure incoming EPIK teachers that they are responsible only for their medical check and personal costs (souvenirs, extra food, extra-curricular activity costs). Again, all other costs for the Orientation will be borne by EPIK and not the applicant.
Additionally, we would like to state that there will be shuttle buses from the Incheon International Airport to the Orientation site for both the Jeonju Orientation (February 17th) and the Seongnam Orientation (February 18th). Please refer to the “What’s New” section for more information.
Visit EPIK’s website for further details about this orientation for their new EPIK teachers.
Editors Note: It’s great to see that EPIK where quick to clear this up. It had the potential to be another huge blow to the public perception of the English teaching program here in Korea - Thankfully this is not the case and EPIK are the good guys again.
If you have not heard what all this is about, have a look at the articles here, here and here.
In the wake of allegations of corruption in the education sector, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced Wednesday that it will offer a reward of up to 100 million won ($86,805) to those who report improper acts by the nation’s teachers.
Teachers who are found to have taken bribes in any form will be let go and forbidden to apply for any civil-service positions.
Click Here for the Full Story (Source: JoongAng Daily)
A 38-year-old Canadian who identifies himself by the alias Mark Cohen holds an E-2 teaching visa and is teaching English at a kindergarten in southern Seoul, but he also gives private English lessons to three groups of students.
During a meeting with The Korea Times in downtown Seoul, Cohen said he charges 50,000 to 70,000 won per hour for private lessons, though the fee is negotiable.
Click Here for the Full Story (Source: The Korean Times)
Editors Note: Popular blog ‘Chris in South Korea’ has done a great write up about this article and brings up a couple of important points that always seems to get overlooked.
Read it here: Another hit piece – Kang Shin Who’s at it again
“Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species. Though the gifts of the wildish nature come to us at birth, society’s attempt to “civilize” us into rigid roles has plundered this treasure, and muffled the deep, life-giving messages of our own souls. Without Wild Woman, we become over-domesticated, fearful, uncreative, trapped.” ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With the Wolves
In an attempt to find everyone’s inner Wild Woman, Rebecca Cant and Angela Lytle, have reclaimed the term “Wild” and created a bi-annual fundraising event called the Wild Women’s Performing Arts Festival, which empowers women and addresses the issue of gender equality in a way that Korean and English speakers alike can benefit from.
“Before coming to Korea, I had never really aligned myself with ‘feminism.’ But once I began volunteering with the KWAU, I realized that much of what we take for granted back home doesn’t apply here,” Rebecca stated, when asked why she decided to help organize this event. “Yes, women have the right to vote, to work, to use contraception. But we\hen will Korean society really tackle domestic violence and sex trafficking? When will Korean labor law be revised and actively enforced in order to address the inequalities that exist in terms of salary and status? When will more women be appointed as government ministers?”
The KWAU, or Korea Women’s Association United, has been trying to tackle these issues since its inception in 1987. They are an umbrella organization that unites over forty member organizations, including anti sex-trafficking groups, Korea Women’s Hotline, and other groups such as agencies for disabled women. The KWAU lobbies tirelessly for equal rights for women in Korea, regardless of race or sexual orientation.
All proceeds from the Festival will be given to the KWAU, ensuring that women will continue to develop their “wildish nature.”
The Festival will also kickoff International Women’s Day (IWD), which is celebrated on the 8th of March. It is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back at a tradition that represents at least nine decades of a struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.
This year’s Festival will provide aural and visual performances from female poets, musicians, storytellers and dancers and will be held at the beautiful club, Mong Hwan. It is located in Sinchon and consists of three unique and artistically designed floors, whereby the bands, spoken word artists and dancers will each be featured on the separate floors as well as a silent auction showcasing the works of local photographers and painters.
Performances by Orgeltanz and Dringe Augh, both from South Korea’s indie label, Electric Muse; as well as Bigbabydriver, Oriental Lucy and a solo performance by Zee of The Pines, will have audience members dancing all night long. For a more mellow vibe, checkout spoken word performances from the women of Word Food. Stunning dance moves from dance troupes, like Plus, a late-night DJ session will ensure that everyone is entertained until the wee hours of the morning.
Although one night is not enough to eradicate gender inequality, it is a step in the right direction. Through continued activism and support, women in Korea and throughout the world will be given equal opportunities and benefits as men. So come on out to Mong Hwan on February 27 and enjoy some spectacular performances for a great cause. The event will be from 8pm until and the DJ spins her last song!
For more information about the Wild Women’s Performing Arts Festival, visit http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=49772378056&ref=ts. To check out Mong Hwan and their special events, visit club.cyworld.com/monghwan.
Reporting from Seoul – Sometimes, in his off hours, Yie Eun-woong does a bit of investigative work. He uses the Internet and other means to track personal data and home addresses of foreign English teachers across South Korea.
Then he follows them, often for weeks at a time, staking out their apartments, taking notes on their contacts and habits.
Click Here for the Full Story (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Editors Note: We have known about this for a long time, however its interesting to see that it has now made news in the USA.
This is a question from Gary of Dagseoul on one of Paul’s (Paul Ajosshi) Facebook ’status updates’.
Does F2 actually do anything for you?
A big YES! on that one, Gary. I’ve been on an F-2 for two years and in that time, I’ve seen my salary nearly quadruple. Sounds tricky at first, especially because there’s an awful lot of noise surrounding the “dirty visa”, but it makes sense since there’s very little usable info to go on.
Click Here for the Full Story (Source: Ask the Expat)
A well-known instructor who teaches the U.S. standardized Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) was kidnapped and was forced to sign a renewal contract, amid the widening police investigation into the recent leakage of questions of the test, the Hankook Ilbo said Saturday.
The authorities said the owner of a private learning institute in Seoul specializing in preparing students for SAT, who was arrested Monday for leaking questions to Koreans in the United States, was also discovered to have kidnapped and then assaulted a colleague, forcing him to sign a renewal contract.
Click Here for the Full Story (Source: The Korean Times)
When Ko Ji-kwang sent one of his daughters to Keumcheon High School in Seoul five years ago, he spent 110,000 won ($94.50) to buy a full school uniform from an area store – much less than the going rate of 220,000 to 250,000 won.
How did Ko accomplish such a consumer coup? The shop owner employed a little collective-bargaining power with other parents of kids attending the same school, ordering in bulk from a uniform producer.
Click Here for the Full Story (Source: JoongAng Daily)
1) Med Patients
By Luke Martin (www.ROKetship.com)
2) When 2 + 2 + 2 = 7
Teacher: If I give you two rabbits and two rabbits and another two rabbits, how many rabbits have you got?
Paddy: Seven!
Teacher: No, listen carefully again. If I give you two rabbits and two rabbits and another two rabbits, how many rabbits have you got?
Paddy: Seven!
Teacher: Let’s try this another way. If I give you two apples and two apples and another two apples, how many apples have you got?
Paddy: Six.
Teacher: Good. Now if I give you two rabbits and two rabbits and another two rabbits, how many rabbits have you got?
Paddy: Seven!
Teacher: How on earth do you work out that three lots of two rabbits is seven?
Paddy: I’ve already got one rabbit at home now!
3) A Millie
For easier reading, click on the comic strip to enlarge the picture
Writer: Matt Broadhurst, Artist: Songeun Yi Lara
“Typography by greenbuddha.com /Concept by Tiger and Bear in association with Spark Media (2009)”
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Welcome to Expacked (Issue #58)
I can’t believe the first month of 2010 has already come and gone. Let’s hope February brings in a change to the weather and Korea’s coldest ever winter will finally be just a distant memory.
January and February are always a strange time of the year for teachers in Korea. My school just came back from winter vacation this week and then they will be starting a 2 week spring vacation at the end of next week.
I would love someone to explain to me the reasoning behind this, as we only have our six graders for one of two classes before they move onto middle school at the start of March. As all of our teachers have already taught the material, I just seems to me that the whole school is just babysitting the students for these two weeks. While the students are at school, they have no motivation to actually learn anything.
I have spoken to some Korean teachers about this and found out that the Korean Government where talking about changing this 2 or 3 years ago. Everyone seems to know it is a problem and the easy solution is to bring forward the 1st semester from March to February. This would enable them to move these 2 wasted weeks back to December and actually make them productive again.
I would be interested to find out where the Government got to in changing this. Have they decided to keep the calendar the same, or have they just run into a couple of problems in “correcting” the dates of the school year? Do any of our readers know?
As usual, its virtually impossible to have a week go by without education making the Korean headlines.
Here’s the stories making the news this week:
Feel free to comment on any of the stories and make use of the easy sharing options available – in just a few quick clicks you can share any of these stories to all your teaching mates in Korea.
I hope you enjoy the read and, of course, have a good laugh at this week’s jokes.
Cheers,
Ken
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from → Issue #58