Understanding New Policies By MEST
Written by Hwang, Ji Hye

Sixty Hours of Mandatory Training
The Ministry of Education, Science & Technology (MEST) announced a new policy regarding the training of Guest English Teachers (GETs) on December 30, 2009. According to the policy, all GETs have to complete at least 60 hours of mandatory training within their first year of working. Of the 60 hours of training, 30 hours consist of compulsory courses and 30 hours consist of electives. The compulsory courses include topics such as Korean culture(27%), Korean English curriculum(23%), and English educational methodology(50%), while electives cover courses such as understanding local culture and lives, local educational settings and additional English methodology. GETs may take on-line training courses provided that the on-line training does not exceed 50% of the entire required hours. Each Provincial Office of Education (POE) or Metropolitan Office of Education (MOE) decides the contents of the training program.
Supporting Events for GETs
The Ministry of Education, Science & Technology will recognize the best co-teaching teams through a co-teaching competition to support the spirit of co-teaching and promote harmony between GETs and co-teachers.
MEST will also provide more opportunities for GETs to participate in Korean tourism supported by the VISIT KOREA Committee (http://english.visitkorea.com) or the KOREA Tourism Organization (http://english.visitkorea.or.kr). Participants will be recommended generally by the POE/MOE supervisors based upon their performance and contribution.


Publishing a Guidebook
Around the beginning of April, MEST is also planning to publish a guidebook for GETs to help them acquire a better understanding of Korean culture, history and customs as well as Korean public educational systems. The book titled "A Guidebook for Guest English Teachers in Korea" will be posted on the web-sites of MEST, EPIK, and all POEs/MOEs so as many GETs as possible have an access to it.