It has been about one year since the first founding of ATEK, and now it's official.  Yesterday ESL Daily announced the release of the Guidebook for Foreign EFL Teachers published by ATEK.  Now the organization announced their mission to promote the interests of foreign English instructors beginning at a press conference in the Seoul Global Center.

the organization says one key objective is “visa portability,” or the ability to shift jobs without first having to leave the country. “We are not a union,” said ATEK spokesman Tony Hellmann. “But we hope that with a unified voice, we will be able to counter some of the negative public perceptions surrounding the [English teaching] profession in Korea.”



The teachers’ association called on the Korean government for more equal treatment in terms of E-2 visa requirements. Prior to its official launch, the association already started its “Equal Checks for All” campaign in early February, encouraging teachers to file online complaints with the National Human Rights Commission, asserting that drug tests and HIV tests required only for E-2 visa holders are discriminatory... - Joongang Daily

The full transcript for the press conference can be viewed on 'The Marmot’s Hole' blog.

For further details of what ATEK stands for and how to join the organization please visit ATEK's newly designed website: http://atek.or.kr/

Related Articles

Korea Times: English Instructors Start Network Against Discrimination

The Marmot’s Hole: English Teachers Start Network Against Discrimination

Joongang Daily: Foreign English teachers launch new organization

ATEK Releases a Free Guidebook for Foreign EFL Teachers 

Teachers are Talking; Discrimination Issues Hit the LA Times