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Toe Save
Joined: 04 Oct 2004
Posts: 202
Location: 'tween the pipes.........
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 Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:17 am Post subject: |
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Then why don't you guys give up trying to change the system and work within it. I think a lot of folks kid themselves with this "teacher" label. You are no more teachers than I am a cell phone. You are babysitting marketing tools and if you make the process too bumpy, there is another big nose on the next plane to take your place. It is business. Not education. Get that thru your Canuckleheads and maybe you won't find yourself suddenly on the short end of some laoban's stick.
Just an idea. |
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SanChong
Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 335
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:43 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Then why don't you guys give up trying to change the system and work within it. I think a lot of folks kid themselves with this "teacher" label. You are no more teachers than I am a cell phone. You are babysitting marketing tools and if you make the process too bumpy, there is another big nose on the next plane to take your place. It is business. Not education. Get that thru your Canuckleheads and maybe you won't find yourself suddenly on the short end of some laoban's stick.
Just an idea.. |
I think that is a totally unfair, and extreme perspective. It's also wrong.
There area a lot of problems with the education system here, that is for certain. However, to pretend it does no good just isn't true.
How many Americans end up speaking Spanish or French with any degree of fluency? Does that mean the THOUSANDS of Spanish and French teachers in the US aren't "real" teachers? Of course not.
The language system in Taiwan gives students the tools to learn English well, if they want to. It gives them a good base. It certainly does a better job of teaching a 2nd language than we do in the US.
Teaching in Taiwan can be both fun and difficult. There are a LOT of things I'd change about the system. But, no teacher should think they aren't doing anything good. Schools generally give you a ton of freedom in how you teach. YOU are in the classroom with the kids for hours everyday and YOU have the ability to be an effective teacher. |
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Toe Save
Joined: 04 Oct 2004
Posts: 202
Location: 'tween the pipes.........
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| Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:24 am Post subject: |
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| SanChong wrote: |
| Quote: |
Then why don't you guys give up trying to change the system and work within it. I think a lot of folks kid themselves with this "teacher" label. You are no more teachers than I am a cell phone. You are babysitting marketing tools and if you make the process too bumpy, there is another big nose on the next plane to take your place. It is business. Not education. Get that thru your Canuckleheads and maybe you won't find yourself suddenly on the short end of some laoban's stick.
Just an idea.. |
I think that is a totally unfair, and extreme perspective. It's also wrong.
There area a lot of problems with the education system here, that is for certain. However, to pretend it does no good just isn't true.
How many Americans end up speaking Spanish or French with any degree of fluency? Does that mean the THOUSANDS of Spanish and French teachers in the US aren't "real" teachers? Of course not.
The language system in Taiwan gives students the tools to learn English well, if they want to. It gives them a good base. It certainly does a better job of teaching a 2nd language than we do in the US.
Teaching in Taiwan can be both fun and difficult. There are a LOT of things I'd change about the system. But, no teacher should think they aren't doing anything good. Schools generally give you a ton of freedom in how you teach. YOU are in the classroom with the kids for hours everyday and YOU have the ability to be an effective teacher. |
SC,
I am wholly referring to the ESL business. I am not referring to the education "system". How they teach English within that "system" may be disagreeable to me philosophically-speaking, but "financially" speaking, I will be forever grateful for their methods within that "system" as I will always have a JOB in the ESL BUSINESS.
I will admit to my position as being somewhat extremist, but that is my style, I guess. I wax hyperbolaic. Always. 
I make money because my boss makes money. My boss makes money because I insist to each and everyone of my students that I am NOT a teacher. If I am not a teacher, they are not students. If they are not students, then they don't have to be judged as good, bad,poor, etc...
I'll go them one better. They are customers and we are not in a classroom, but a place of business. And the customer is always......?
That's right. RIGHT!!
You can't learn English by rote. But go ahead, keep drilling. Your English-quoting soldiers are my future vacations. The more you "teach", the further (sic) I'll travel.
I think the reason for the continued success is that I speak straight to them. In so insisting that they think of it as a business, I take on more of a role of coach. I shape existing skills. They don't come to me to "learn", but to hone.
When I did teach kids, that first year here, I quickly started feeding them all the answers tot he tests. I had mock versions drawn up and drilled them on near exact versions of the actual test. I practically gave everyone top grades as I felt they didn't need the added, unneccessary pressure of competing with their classmates.
I would make all kids buxibans illegal if I had the power to. I would replace it all with special interest classes taught in English. Let the little feckers have fun a bit. They already miss out on so many joys of being young, spent in front of revolving big noses drolling out so much inane drivel. Screw that.
But as long as there is an ounce of Confusianism on this island, I'll always have more than gainful employment.
Drill on. |
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switzer
Joined: 19 Jun 2006
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:39 am Post subject: Gloria English School |
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| Hi, I am new to all this and have been applying to schools randomy in Taiwan. The Gloria English School has stood out and I have a phone interview soon with them. Has anyone heard any feedback about this school? Is it good? Safe? Anything.. I would love some help! Thanks a lot... I am only 22 and going myself.. therefore I am a little nervous.. thanks a lot |
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switzer
Joined: 19 Jun 2006
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:01 am Post subject: Schools |
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Has anyone heard of Gloria English School in Taiwan??? Help me please!!
Thanksssssss |
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Toe Save
Joined: 04 Oct 2004
Posts: 202
Location: 'tween the pipes.........
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:32 am Post subject: |
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I met a plane load of Gloria teachers on my way back from The Philippines last week. Their boss flew them down there for a retreat as he does every year. This is impressive. Most bosses don't give a hoot about the foreign staff. These folks seemed bright, energetic and happy. But they all live in Chung Li. So it seemed a bit of a trade off. I like the conveniences of living in Taipei.
On a side note, please allow me an observation. You asked your original question which was good. Then, you came flying back to panic-post something like 22 minutes later. You sound very freaked out with that 2nd post. Please make sure that travelling half way around the world to work in a new and different culture is something you are ready to do. Based solely on your timing between posts and the lines I am reading in between them, I highly suggest that you relax a wee bit. There is a time zone difference of 12 -15 hours between here and NA. You made your posts in the middle of our night. Regardless, this site sees very little traffic. It make take a day or two to get the answers you seek.
Chill out.
and
Cheers. |
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markholmes
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 661
Location: Wengehua
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BigWally
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 765
Location: Ottawa, CAN (prev. Kaohsiung "the Dirty South")
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| Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 2:55 am Post subject: |
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| Toe Save wrote: |
On a side note, please allow me an observation. You asked your original question which was good. Then, you came flying back to panic-post something like 22 minutes later. You sound very freaked out with that 2nd post. Please make sure that travelling half way around the world to work in a new and different culture is something you are ready to do. Based solely on your timing between posts and the lines I am reading in between them, I highly suggest that you relax a wee bit. There is a time zone difference of 12 -15 hours between here and NA. You made your posts in the middle of our night. Regardless, this site sees very little traffic. It make take a day or two to get the answers you seek.
Chill out.
and
Cheers. |
Excellent advice!
Ganbei!  |
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