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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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I didn't refer to Korea having low pay. Are you hung over, Glenski?
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Sorry. I mis read what you had written. No need for insults.
For someone who has not taught EFL before, you presuppose a lot about your chances for success. Your quaint example proves nothing. Try that in a classroom and you will be lucky if a student says anything at all instead of being so open and curious and talkative.
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My main aim is to make sure I won't be overworked. Maximum pleasure for minimum effort - that's me. |
What do you consider "overworked"? Can you handle 7-8 classes per day with only 5-10 minutes between classes? Paperwork after all that, maybe running from 9pm to 10pm? Not being allowed to leave the office even when you are not teaching? Having a heavy teaching load, coupled with other duties like interviewing prospective students, showing your face in the lobby (when you'd rather be making or studying lesson plans), etc.?
Good luck if you get a job in Asia.[/quote] |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:58 am Post subject: |
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No use to try to be helpful here. The Prune's got it all figured out.
His angle is that we should be trying to learn from him.
Good luck, man.
(spiral78: 10 years experience in this field, MA TESL/TEFL, fluent in three languages learned as an adult, relatively substantial yearly income, nothing of value to offer to Prune, so sorry.)
I try, as most of us regulars do, to actually offer something of value without prejudice or prejudgements... but no use to respond to a guy who has actually asked for no information, but has instead simply told us how he expects to make it in this field.
Again, good luck. Hope you will find that situation where you won't have to work too hard. And that it will last longer than a couple of weeks at a time.....I won't even get into that issue of the perspective of your students, but good points have been made on that issue by others. |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 1337 Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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prune wrote: |
My main aim is to make sure I won't be overworked. Maximum pleasure for minimum effort - that's me. |
Thank you for your fine example of why universities and other educational institutions should do away with tenure. How you ever managed to survive long in any job with that attitude toward work, I don't know. |
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ls650

Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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C'mon you guys... wise up. 'Prune' is obviously a troll.  |
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dmb

Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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When I was a child my grandmother always told me to eat prunes. Why was that?  |
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prune
Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for your fine example of why universities and other educational institutions should do away with tenure. How you ever managed to survive long in any job with that attitude toward work, I don't know.
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Come off it! Everyone's the same - but some people aren't honest about it and others aren't very good at achieving it. Why would anyone put in more effort than they needed? Would you? For selfish reasons? Or are you on some kind of religious mission?
How I survive, workwise? Well, some people are plodders and need to do serious labour before they get any returns; others are naturally clever and achieve a lot by doing a little. I'm in the latter category.
I also place a deal of importance on appearance. I've rubbed shoulders with too many teachers over the years, as pupil/parent/colleague etc., not to be impressed by their overall shabbiness, their clinging to the same clothes day in and day out, their reluctance to use anti-perspirants, and the high incidence of bad breath in the atmosphere.
I look like a banker - dress to impress! My armpits are dry and my mouth is fresh. That, plus innate ability and wit, goes a long way with employers and students alike. |
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prune
Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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I try, as most of us regulars do, to actually offer something of value without prejudice or prejudgements... but no use to respond to a guy who has actually asked for no information, but has instead simply told us how he expects to make it in this field.
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Maybe too much teaching has addled the reading skills of you guys. You (pl.) might try actually reading what people write!
You seem to be under the misapprehension that I want your tips on teaching or your pet theories. I don't. I just want your advice on where the easiest work is in the nicest possible surroundings (and maybe an explanation why the standard of grammar in the industry is so poor - didn't y'all go to school?) |
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PeterBar
Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 145 Location: La France profonde
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent prune you obviously don't need anyone's advice or input.
In my 30+ year teaching career (only 15 years in TEFL, however) I have met several people who have exhibited a similar attitude to yours. Generally however they were 25 years old or younger.
They seldom lasted long in any position. Either the Uni or the language school threw them out, the students complained, the parents complained or their colleagues complained.
I also feel that you are deliberately stirring controversy. I wonder what your motives could possibly be. |
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wildchild

Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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Prune said:
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I just want your advice on where the easiest work is in the nicest possible surroundings |
Have you considered Baghdad?
Prune said:
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and maybe an explanation why the standard of grammar in the industry is so poor - didn't y'all go to school? |
As for me, I prefered video games to books.  |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, sorry. The most for the least!! How could I have overlooked that very legit and worthy info request.
Of course, come join us at my uni!! Just what we need............... |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 1337 Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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prune wrote: |
Chancellor wrote: |
Thank you for your fine example of why universities and other educational institutions should do away with tenure. How you ever managed to survive long in any job with that attitude toward work, I don't know.
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Come off it! Everyone's the same - but some people aren't honest about it and others aren't very good at achieving it. Why would anyone put in more effort than they needed? Would you? For selfish reasons? Or are you on some kind of religious mission? |
Well, no, not everyone is the same: many of us have enough maturity and personal integrity to do a job properly instead of constantly looking for shortcuts.
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How I survive, workwise? Well, some people are plodders and need to do serious labour before they get any returns; others are naturally clever and achieve a lot by doing a little. I'm in the latter category. |
By dazzling people with cow manure, no doubt.
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I also place a deal of importance on appearance. I've rubbed shoulders with too many teachers over the years, as pupil/parent/colleague etc., not to be impressed by their overall shabbiness, their clinging to the same clothes day in and day out, their reluctance to use anti-perspirants, and the high incidence of bad breath in the atmosphere
I look like a banker - dress to impress! That, plus innate ability and wit, goes a long way with employers and students alike. |
Oh, yes, of course: if you overwhelm people with your polished outward appearance and are the male equivalent of the belle of the ball, they won't look so closely at your work.
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My armpits are dry and my mouth is fresh. |
Yes, good personal hygiene is important - at least we agree on something. |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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I've rubbed shoulders with too many teachers over the years, as pupil/parent/colleague etc., not to be impressed by their overall shabbiness, their clinging to the same clothes day in and day out, their reluctance to use anti-perspirants, and the high incidence of bad breath in the atmosphere |
You would do well not to stereotype a group of people whose ranks you intend to join. Besides, we're not all like that image, and it doesn't take a John Phillips suit to make a good teacher. |
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