In a move that will be both lauded and derided by English teachers across Korea,  ETS (Educational Testing Service), the maker of the TOEIC and TOEFL, announced a voluntary test for assessing the teaching ability of those who teach English.  

While it seems logical the test should be taken by non-native teachers who teach English in non-English speaking countries, such as teachers working for public schools, sources at ETS have stated that such testing is the “responsibility of the government” and that their test is targeted directly at the private English language industry, or hagwons, in order to increase the acceptance and credibility of cram schools and moreover to certify competence in teaching. 

If adopted by the hagwon industry for the purpose of hiring, this might reveal an enormous ‘teaching skills gap’ of English language instructors all across Korea, or more than likely, it will create a mass migration of talent as teachers move from current jobs toward jobs more appropriate their abilities (read: higher scores = higher pay).   Other anticipated benefits include a more professionalized teaching population, as approved through ETS tests and scores, and more credible schools in the eyes of the consumer.

Philip Tabbiner, vice president of ETS, in his presentation at their Princeton, New Jersey headquarters described the test to journalists as a TOEFL-like test, which we assume can also be taken online. 

Does this mean that teachers may need to attend hagwons of their own before they ever step foot in a hagwon to teach?  What sweet, sweet feeling of justice every kid in Korea might be feeling right now.

[Korea Times]

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