otherwise 1) In another way, differently; 2) Under other circumstances; 3) In other respects.

Non-Korean nationals, native English speakers

Adding to the existing craze for English language instruction throughout primary and secondary school, many Korean universities are also planning to expand their English-language curriculum. Some of this results in situations where professors speaking less-than-fluent English are forced to teach in English -- to students who are also less-than-fluent. I'm also noticing announcements for teaching positions that explicitly recruit non-Koreans.

Like this one from Seoul National University, seeking a tenure-track professor at the Department of Geography Education:

The Department of Geography Education, Seoul National University, Korea, invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position, rank open, beginning August 2008, pending final approval of funding. Field of expertise is open, but candidates with an expertise in Asia are especially encouraged to apply. A Ph.D. in Geography or a closely related discipline is required at the time of appointment. [...]

Applicants should be Non-Korean Nationals, preferably native English speakers. [...]

As Korea's leading research university, Seoul National University ranks 51st according to the World University Rankings 2007 by the Times Higher Education Supplement. SNU is becoming globally renowned for its excellence as a result of steady progress in research.

According to this, Korean nationals are excluded, no matter how well they speak English. On the other hand, all "non-Korean nationals" are encouraged to apply, and it's only "preferable" that they be "native English speakers." So, it's okay to be a German who speaks English as a second language, as long as they're non-Korean. The insane bigotry and short-sightedness!

Here's another notice I just received from the Korea Education Center in Los Angeles -- a "non-profit educational organization dedicated to educating Korean Americans and helping to establish their pride and identity as Koreans through a variety of programs on Korean language, culture and history." It's heavily supported by the Korean government (namely, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources), and obviously follows the lead of ROK state policies. In recruiting for English teachers, they offer a highly detailed definition of "native speakers of English":

EPIK invites responsible, enthusiastic native speakers of English who will invest their time to enrich their lives and build a professional teaching career while sharing knowledge and culture with students and teachers of Korea.

Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Hold a minimum of Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
- Be a citizen from a country where the primary language is English.
**Ethnic Korean applicants with foreign citizenships or legal residencies must have been taught in English-language schools from junior high school forth and have lived abroad for minimum of 10 years. (If you are a male citizen of the Republic of Korea under the age of 35, you must have either completed mandatory military service or have received an official waiver.)

This is a nominally "Korean American" organization based in Los Angeles! You would expect them to understand the Korean diaspora better than simply as Koreans with "foreign citizenships" or "living abroad."

And besides, if LMB and the English fanatics had their way, wouldn't South Korea soon be "a country where the primary language is English"? Heh...

Related Posts:
• Korea's English nightmare (2008-01-31)
• English crazy (2008-01-28)
• English Only & white supremacy (2007-09-21)

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