Learning Korean has become a trend for many young people. Because of such high demand, Korean language centers have been established to meet societal needs. However, not everyone is familiar with the legal regulations regarding the establishment of Korean language centers. Therefore, OTIS LAWYERS would like to advise our clients on the conditions and procedures for establishing a Korean language center in accordance with Vietnamese law.
Legal basis:
Decree 46/2017/ND-CP regulates investment activities in education programs from preschool to university levels; conditions for providing consultancy services for studying abroad.
Circular 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT on the organization and operation of language centers and computer science centers.
Conditions for opening a Korean Language Center
Entities permitted to open Korean Language Centers
- Individuals.
- Companies engaged in foreign language training.
Personnel requirements
a. Management staff:
- Hold a bachelor's degree in foreign languages or a bachelor's degree and possess at least Level 3 language proficiency certificate according to the 6-level language proficiency framework used in Vietnam (equivalent to B1 level for European languages, IELTS 5.0, TOEIC 450, JLPT N4, TOPIK 3, HSK 3).
- Have worked in the education sector for at least 3 years.
b. Teachers:
- Full-time and guest lecturers must ensure a maximum ratio of 25 students per teacher.
- Hold a bachelor's degree in Korean language pedagogy from Pedagogical University or College or hold a bachelor's degree in Korean language and possess a teaching certificate.
c. Staff:
- Ensure sufficient personnel to serve administrative and academic tasks.
- Accounting staff must have at least an intermediate level of qualification.
Infrastructure
a. Legal documentation:
- Own or lease premises legally.
- Lease contracts (if rented from organizations, units, or schools) must have the consent of the grassroots Trade Union or higher-level management authority.
b. Teaching facilities
- Classrooms and offices should meet space requirements.
- Parking space.
- Safe and secure teaching environment.
c. Equipment:
Adequate desks, chairs, boards, and teaching aids.
d. Firefighting and rescue plan:
- Equip fire fighting facilities as per regulations.
- Prepare firefighting and rescue plans and have a firefighting and rescue team.
Curriculum
- Develop a curriculum suitable for learners' needs and the development of each locality, in compliance with regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.
- Learning methods include regular classes, extracurricular classes, distance learning (including online learning), self-study with guidance, or a combination of these methods.
Documents required for applying for a Korean Language Center license in Vietnam:
- Request for issuance of Korean Language Center operation license;
- Plan for establishing the Korean Language Center.
- Regulations on educational activities of the center.
- Decision to open the Korean Language Center;
- Certificate of business registration;
- Confirmation of the operating location from the ward;
- Curriculum, teaching materials, teaching documents;
- Report on office working equipment; classrooms, laboratories, training facilities, including documents proving ownership rights (or lease contracts) for land, premises, and operating expenses;
- Certificates to be issued to students upon completion of the course.
- Firefighting and rescue certificate or firefighting and rescue plan if the facility requires it;
- Regulations on tuition fees and fees;
- List of center's personnel;
- Director's documents, including: ID card, bachelor's degree in foreign languages, certificate of work experience of at least 3 years, teaching certificate (if involved in teaching), personal resume confirmed by local authorities, Appointment Decision;
- Teacher's documents, including: ID card, bachelor's degree in Korean language, teaching certificate, personal resume confirmed by local authorities, labor contract.
Frequently Asked Questions when opening a Korean Language Center:
1. Question: Can I serve as the director of a language center if I don't have a language degree?
Answer: According to Article C, Clause 2 of Circular 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT on the organization and operation of language centers:
"c) Hold a bachelor's degree in foreign languages or a bachelor's degree and possess at least Level 3 language proficiency certificate according to the 6-level language proficiency framework used in Vietnam or its equivalent."
Therefore, if you don't have a bachelor's degree in foreign languages, you must hold a bachelor's degree and a language proficiency certificate of Level 3 or higher to qualify as a director.
2. Question: Is my teacher who graduated with a bachelor's degree in Korean language qualified to teach?
Answer: The teacher will be qualified if they have a degree in "Teaching Korean Language" or if they only have a degree in "Korean Language," they need to obtain a teaching certificate from Pedagogical University or authorized companies.
3. Question: How many teachers does a center need? Can I still apply if I don't have enough?
Answer: The number of teachers depends on the center's scale and the number of students. However, it is recommended that a center has at least 2 to 3 teachers to ensure its operation.
For any questions or comments, please contact:
OTIS AND PARTNERS LAW FIRM
Office address: 2nd Floor, CT3 Building, Yen Hoa Park View Urban Area, No. 3 Vu Pham Ham Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Email: [email protected]
Hotline: 0987748111
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