Overseas Language Course by Agency, Causing Many Detriment Regarding Housing and Program

 Recently, overseas language courses have received some major blows, so consumers should be cautious about choosing an agency for it. because there are many false advertisements on housing and its contents in the course. Because there are many false advertisements on housing and its contents in the course.

 The Korea Consumer Agency (www.kca.go.kr) analyzed 201 cases of complaints regarding oversea language courses, which were registered with the KCA from 2008 to 2011.

According to this analysis, the most common complaints were‘dissatisfaction with the contents’ (123cases, 61.2%), followed by 'delay of cancellation of contracts’ (71cases, 35.3%), and 'natural disasters’ (5cases, 2.5%).

 Complaints about ‘dissatisfaction with the contents’ included such factors as 'poor housing', 'the program differed from the details provided', and 'insufficient guidance on visa issuance', etc.

In particular, it was found that there is no specific article dealing with detriments by disaster under the Standardized Agreement and the Regulation on Consumer Dispute Resolution.

 Overseas language courses in the Philippines generated the highest number of complaints at 34.3%. Due to the low fees for language courses in the Philippines, the housing and program did not provide what the consumers expected. Based on this analysis, the KCA suggested that government officials and the KFTC (Korea Fair Trade Commission) should revise the Standardized Agreement and the standard contract form in June 2012.

 The KCA will strictly investigate any allegations of false advertising by language course agencies. On the other hand, the KCA advises consumers to study the environment and to make sure they are aware of the penalties imposed for breach of contract and violations of contract conditions. Also, the KCA asked to make a contract with the agency with the Standardized Agreement approved by the KFTC.