We learn Korean and work hard
(Published April 26, 2012)

Making workplaces safe and desirable for foreign workers

At 3.30pm on Sunday, March 11^th, at the Siheung Migrant Community Service of the Sihwa Industrial Complex in Siheung City, Korean classes were underway in lecture rooms on each floor of the building. In an intermediate-level class on the third floor, around ten foreign students were taking a listening comprehension test that entailed a situational description of the purchase of various items in a department store.

A: Welcome. How can I help you?

B: I’m thinking of buying a pair of black shoes. I’d like something comfortable.

<Omit>

B: These are really comfortable. How much is this pair of shoes?

A: They are 180,000 won.

◇ Many different kinds of shops are located within the Ansan Multicultural Specialized District for residents from different countries.

ⓒ After listening practice had finished at the Ansan Migrant Community Service Center, the teacher asked a few questions while writing on the blackboard. “What is B doing? What kind of item does B want to buy? What color did B choose?” The students’ eyes seem to sparkle; they pondered a while and gave their answers one by one: “Shoes!” or “Cheap ones!” or “Black shoes!” As no one answered with the word “comfortable”, the teacher placed a chair toward the front and sat on it to demonstrate the meaning of the word ‘comfortable’. “It is comfortable to sit alone.” Then she moved to sit at the edge of the chair, saying “It is uncomfortable for two to sit.” At last, the students figured out the answer as they realized what ‘comfortable’ meant.

Established in November 2007, the Siheung Migrant Community Service assists foreign residents of the region in accessing services and welfare support while also protecting their rights. The community center also encourages foreign residents to participate in diverse local social activities and live stable lives as members of a multicultural community in a unified and healthy society. Many different services are offered by the center including a foreign resident consulting center, a Korean language study program, a job skills development and training program, education about multiculturalism, multicultural family welfare support, health and medical services, multicultural communities’ structure and management, and Korean cultural experiences.

Of all the available programs, however, the one most popular with foreign residents is the Korean language study program. Residents can freely learn Korean at their own level: basic, intermediate, or advanced, as well as exam preparation. Evening classes are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and on Sundays there are classes in both the morning and afternoon. Class sizes are limited to twenty people, and most of the students are from Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. Of the three nationalities, Vietnamese students are the most common and their passion for learning is also the greatest. Park Dong-gyu, a social welfare professional and leader of the general support team at the center, said, “Regardless of the legal status of their sojourn, any foreigner who wishes to learn Korean can register for the classes.”
◇ Foreign residents attending the Korean class at the Siheung Migrant Community Service ⓒ Reporter, Jeon Min-gyu

The registration fee for one year is KRW 20,000 and students need to buy a textbook for the course (KRW 10,000 to 20,000). Basic stationery such as pencils and notebooks is provided upon registration.

If foreign residents wish to obtain a driver’s license, the community center can help with that as well. The private academy in the region—‘e-Hyundai’—has a partnership arrangement with the center and teaches residents with the aim of helping them pass the written exam. The tuition is waived and students only need to purchase a book. When preparing for the practical driving test, students are entitled to receive a discount at the academy.

Except for those run by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Gyeonggi Province is the only province in which the local government operates community centers for foreign residents. By providing financial support for the management costs of the migrant community centers, Gyeonggi Province makes life more convenient for foreign residents and enhances the efficiency of local community business programs. Five cities and towns in the province—Suwon, Ansan, Siheung, Hwaseong and Namyangju—have migrant community centers, and a center in Gimpo is scheduled to open next May. According to last year’s performance records, a total of 4,385 foreign residents have benefited from the centers in four cities and towns (Suwon, Ansan, Siheung and Hwaseong), with the Siheung center providing services to the most residents, i.e., 1,286 people.

Three stories told by foreign residents about life in Korea

“I will work hard, earn money and be successful.”
◇ Geunsoban ⓒ G-LIFE
Geunsoban, 31, Cambodia

“My friend introduced me to Korea and I came here. I have worked at the Sihwa Industrial Complex for about two years and three months. I make colors in the factory and work hard at other jobs as well, such as packing boxes. I send 40% of my salary home, to the delight of my parents. I have not yet been to my hometown, but I plan to visit in early May. I learn Korean at the community center and exercise at the gym. It is hard to live in a foreign country but I will work hard, earn money, and be successful here.”

“I want to study engineering at university to become a professional engineer.”

◇ Shani ⓒ G-LIFE
Shani, 28, ⓒ Bangladesh

“The reason I came here was not just to work at factories but because I wanted to do business between Bangladesh and Korea. It was hard to learn Korean, but I studied hard as I had to make money. When workers cannot speak Korean well, it is hard to be treated very well in factories. I want to teach the skills I learnt here to people in my country. And in the future, I want to study engineering at university to become a professional engineer.”

“I will learn about social welfare and help foreign residents.”◇ Hanna ⓒ G-LIFE
Hanna, 27, Mongolia

“I work as a part-time consultant for foreign residents at the Korean Welfare Center. It has been about five years since I came to Korea. I used to work for an international organization in Mongolia and made a two-month short visit here to learn Korean, but then I stayed. While working as a consultant I found foreign resident welfare to be very interesting, so I am currently doing a master’s degree in social welfare at the University of Suwon. I am learning about social welfare and want to assist foreigners with their most pressing needs and difficulties.”

ⓒ G-News Plus News / Choi Gyeong-won / happyworry@nate.com

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201204261702157055C059&s_code=C059