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| Where is the best country to teach? |
| China |
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23% |
[ 5 ] |
| Japan |
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9% |
[ 2 ] |
| Taiwan |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Hong Kong |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
| Thailand |
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14% |
[ 3 ] |
| Other, Please state |
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47% |
[ 10 ] |
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| Total Votes : 21 |
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Atassi
Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 128
Location: 평택
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 Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:29 am Post subject: |
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JZer, I won't argue about the nightlife, but I tend to disagree about the food. I know lots of people who think German food is stuck in the dark ages as far as spices go, and that Korean food is very tasty.
Granted, every country has good and bad food, and everyone has their own taste. If I were in Germany, I'd be at Turkish restaurants all the time 
dmb is kind of fortunate |
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Like a Rolling Stone
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 872
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| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:38 am Post subject: |
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Looks like I'm in the wrong country according to this poll  |
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dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
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| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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| The question is why hasn't khmerhit mentioned the 'C' word |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I know lots of people who think German food is stuck in the dark ages as far as spices go, and that Korean food is very tasty. |
I never said that German food is good. The one thing that does make Germany better in regards to food is that there is more variety. You could be in a German town of 30,000-60,000 and have things to choose from. For eample, I lived in Bayreuth, Germany. The population is around 60,000 and there are Thai resturants, Turkish, Mexican, Chinese, McDonalds, German, Italian, an American style cafe and maybe more. In Korea you are pretty much limited to Korean, Chinese, pizza, and Loterra (Korean version of McDonalds). If you live in Seoul or Busan then you can get other things but if you lived in Berlin, you could probably find 70+ different ethnic resturants. |
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Atassi
Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 128
Location: 평택
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| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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JZer, I agree with you there. Korea lacks variety for the most part, except in places like Itaewon and Haeundae Beach in Busan. I.m sure you can find a lot of variety in Germany, similar to here in the States (or maybe more so). I have been to Germany once but only travelled for a day or so.
Isn't it awesome though that you can get a full healthy meal in Korea for 3-4 bucks? That's one thing that'd be hard to beat in Germany |
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Atassi
Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 128
Location: 평택
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| Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Let me note though once more that some westerners just do not like Korean food. Eating in Korea then can be difficult I agree. |
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Deconstructor
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 775
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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The best country to teach is the one you came from. Ultimately most of us return home and find decent jobs, unless one of the countries you traveled to becomes your new home, where you got married and had kids.
I guess I'm talking about putting roots. I was aimless for a decade and it was great until it wasn't. I needed to return to the French/English culture I grew up in. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:08 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I guess I'm talking about putting roots. I was aimless for a decade and it was great until it wasn't. I needed to return to the French/English culture I grew up in. |
Deconstructor, I agree. I sort of laugh at the people that are disillusioned with their home country and say they will never go home. While I have no plans to go home at this point in time, I don't see living abroad forever as a viable option(unless you get married to a foreigner). I am not sure why but maybe I just don't like the idea of being a foreigner forever. But I think that is relavant to where you live. It is easier to be a foreigner in say Germany, England, or Spain than Korea or China.
As for now I want to spend another year in Korea and then do an M.A. in Europe. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:20 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Isn't it awesome though that you can get a full healthy meal in Korea for 3-4 bucks? That's one thing that'd be hard to beat in Germany |
It would not be so hard to do, depending on what you want to eat. One of my best friends and I used to eat Chinese, Thai, and Indian for around $4. The best approach is to eat dinner at home and lunch in a resturant. In 2002 several Indian resturants used to have lunch specials for $4.
Yes, Korea is a little better but if you are living in Germany and know what you are doing, you can probably find something decent for $4.
But the last time I lived in Germany (2004-2005), the city had a lot of Mexican food and it was about $8 a dish. The Chinese and Thai food was still around 4 Euros. The only difference was that the dollar was $1.30 to the Euro but if you are getting paid in Euros the exchange rate is not as important.
I hope to make it back to Germany again but at this time, I really don't have time. I would like to take a summer course but that would require 4 weeks of vacation. I am going to Beijing this summer and have to go home next summer for my brother's wedding. |
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Atassi
Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 128
Location: 평택
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:34 am Post subject: |
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JZer, good information. Sounds better than here in the States!
Ya might wanna take some time off and do a master's instead, especially if you intend on doing this for a while. I'm finishing up here myself, and plan to fly to KOTESOL next month. Good luck. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:06 am Post subject: |
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Oh, the Master's that I plan to do won't be in ESL. I want to do an M.A. in European Politics.
Even though an M.A. in ESL would be good because then I might improve my understanding of English grammar. |
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Atassi
Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 128
Location: 평택
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:38 am Post subject: |
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Yes grammar is fun to learn (kidding of course, but it can be fun). Grammar is important to understand, but I wonder why you stressed that as a reason to get an MA in TESOL. I wonder what your experience is with classes in Korea.
Personally, I feel that an educated individual can look up grammar points as needed. I also don't care for how "grammar classes" are often lacking listening, good reading, lengthy writing, and speaking activities within long term meaningful student-directed projects. So basically, any grammar class should not seem like a "grammar class", although I know this is unfortunately not the case. I also believe that other skills classes should always have a certain grammar component (informal mini-lessons to help learners correct mistakes are fine). It's often more effective to combine the skills one way or another.
So to me, the most challenging thing isn't comprehending the grammar, but creating classes where the students effectively learn language through production (speaking and writing). That's where I believe a good master's program in TESOL will most benefit the language teacher.
If anyone disagrees please feel free to add your thoughts.
Oh, but an MA in European Politics also sounds awesome if that's your interest. |
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Deconstructor
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 775
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Atassi wrote: |
So to me, the most challenging thing isn't comprehending the grammar, but creating classes where the students effectively learn language through production (speaking and writing). That's where I believe a good master's program in TESOL will most benefit the language teacher.
If anyone disagrees please feel free to add your thoughts. |
I absolutely don't disagree!! Grammar is a strand and no language class should ever have it as a point of focus. Language classes are synonymous with grammar because grammar is teachable while syntax, for example, mostly isn't; that is to say, one can teach syntax but students will never be able to produce it past the basic subject, verb, object stage. But syntax is the core of the problem where students often know the grammar and the vocab but can't seem to bring the words together.
My students spend all their class time on reading, and listening to, interesting texts. They are constantly asked to retell what they read and hear. The key is repetition and learning to catch one's own mistakes. I teach them skills and strategies so that they can become their own teachers and not spend all their time, money and energy on a language class.
It is ironic that I would never take a language class if I ever wanted to learn another language. |
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Atassi
Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 128
Location: 평택
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| Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I teach them skills and strategies so that they can become their own teachers and not spend all their time, money and energy on a language class. |
Thanks for the response deconstructor. I largely agree with what you said.
I wanted to point out that an MA TESOL should benefit the teacher in many more ways than a grammar class would. I'm happy with my experience doing an MA.
Regards,
Atassi |
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Tue
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 59
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| Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:08 am Post subject: |
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For me, Vietnam.
Why ?
Great income to living expenses ratio.
Amazing furnished apartments for 250$ a month.
Some of the most beautiful women in Asia, with smiles and personalities to match.
Many great places of interest and some great scenery of adventure types. Hiking, biking, diving, sea kayaking..plus many more.
Locals are amazingly friendly, and down to earth (away from the tourist areas). Motobike drivers excluded.
Easy of getting to Cambodia, Thai and, Laos, China and the Philippines.
I am paid in US $ and it has a favourable exchange with any of the mentioned countries.
Slower pace of life in Hanoi, is quite relaxing and a welcome change from Japan and China. |
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