Parents in Seoul are demanding more native English-speaking teachers for their children at schools. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE), more and more ward offices in Seoul have allotted money to recruit foreign teachers because of the growing demand from parents in each district.
Last year, some 5.24 billion won was collected from four ward offices and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to employ native English teachers at schools in the capital.
The education authority expects the amount of money will double this year to 10 billion won.
``Many ward office chiefs vowed to increase the number of native-speaking teachers in their election campaigns. To that extent, they are increasing the necessary funds,’’ said Choi Chun-ok, a supervisor in charge of recruiting foreign English teachers at the office.
As the ward offices do not have staff to select qualified foreign teachers, except Gangnam-gu, they are leaving recruitment to the SMOE, she added.
More than five ward offices plan to make an agreement with SMOE on Thursday and Friday this week for the employment of foreign teachers in their districts.
Jongno-Gu Office has reserved 750 million won for the project; Nowon-Gu, 520 million won; Dobong-Gu, 400 billion won; Jungnang-Gu, 300 million won; and Gwanak-Gu 200 million won.
Under the agreement, 31 elementary and 15 secondary schools will have foreign English teachers from the spring semester.
SMOE has recruited native English-speaking teachers for schools since September 2005 to teach at 572 elementary and 665 secondary schools.
Korea Times
This is just nasty. there are many wonderful things about Japanese cuisine, but there are also some MAJOR mistakes!!! Anyone remember Cucumber Pepsi??? Ackkk...
Vinegar-flavored chocolate hits shelves for Valentine's Day
OKAYAMA -- Consumers here will be able to pick up vinegar-flavored chocolate for Valentine's Day following its development by Okayama Prefectural University scientists and prestigious Japanese confectionary maker Minamoto Kitchoan.
The research team that developed the chocolates did so because of the purported health benefits of acetic acid, large quantities of which are normally found in vinegar.
Two types of vinegar-flavored chocolates will go on sale, one with a vinegar sauce and the other a chocolate containing raisins that have been soaked in vinegar.
Sales started Monday and will be limited to 100 sets sold only in two Okayama stores.
Vinegar-flavored chocolates will be sold in 3-piece sets, each of which costs a hefty 1,050 yen, ensuring the sweet and sour flavor extends beyond the taste buds.
Mainichi Daily News
My financee is from Osaka so I thought this would be a fitting Valentine's treat. I just wish I could get one here in Ottawa!
Chocolate In Disguise: “Okonomiyaki Chocolate Cake.”
The next Valentine treat looks like a normal Okonomiyaki, a kind of mixed pancake that is a mainstay of Japanese cuisine, but actually this is genuinely made of the delicious brown stuff, together with rich flavours of rum and Belgian chocolate. Incidentally, its Hiroshima-based confectioner, Toraya, has a repertoire of 380 products with a whole range of sweets that look like real savoury dishes, including sushi-shaped roll cakes and custard pudding resembling Chawanmushi.
See original...
