Job Discussion Forums

Matthew_McCabe · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:22 pm Post subject:

Eh??? Can I conclude from this thread that all TEFLers have become insane, maladjusted human beings as a result of their TEFLing, or, more likely, they were insane in the first place???

I won't, but I'd be interested to hear more comments.

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead!

EDIT: Ah, this thread answers a lot of my questions: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=27629&highlight=weird+teachers. Well as long as not everyones like that it could be quite entertaining Razz

.

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:07 am Post subject:

I've met a few nutters here, but no more than in other fields I've worked in (I was a nurse before, and also worked in retail). I've also met a lot of amazing, intelligent, dynamic people who take their jobs seriously and who have pretty full lives that don't just involve alcohol or shagging. Maybe the teachers I've known in the schools where I've taught are not your average overseas teachers. They have been quite sane for the most part, a few stray nutters excluded (they tend to pass through pretty quickly and are almost exclusively men). There is a lot to do in your free time in Istanbul- lots of art and music and places to walk and sit with tea and people to talk to. A place is what you make of it. I doubt your average Joe working in middle management in Boise, Idaho is any more normal or living a richer, more balanced life than teachers here.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

As an example, here is a list of my colleagues at my present place of employment in Korea:

1. Evangelical Christian fanatic. Always says 'Amen' and tries to 'save' everyone he comes across. He goes to Itaewon every weekend to try to 'save' people!

2. Paranoid schizophrenic, who actually confessed to me that he hates people, and that if anyone came near him at the gym where he works out, he would 'punch their lights out.'

3. Nymphomaniac teacher from Britain who likes to wear mini skirts to class (I though they went out of fashion 30 years ago!) and is always 'waiting' for a handsome teacher to turn up at our school.

4. Vegetarian nut who espouses the total fruit diet and fasting. He actually looks like he could use a good meal. Very insipid looking individual.

5. Fierce temper guy from Canada who has serious anger management problems.

6. Former Peace Corps guy from Wisconsin, who looks like Jesus Christ, and sometimes acts like him too.

7. One guy who looks like 'Mr Nerd' and could be confused with a piece of furniture at meetings, as he just sits there and tends to be forgotten.

8. Irish guy who always plays the guitar, including during his classes and gets good reviews from the students. He dreams of making it big in the music world, but he is dreaming.

9. Obsequious Canadian girl, who always gives the students candies, because she wants good evaluations. Once they are out of the room, said teacher disparages the students she has just given candies to.

10. Ms Obese Teacher from Canada, who has a twinkies problem, so bad in fact, that she basically sits all night in her room eating junk food, or ordering in. But she is a good teacher. She has a food intake problem.

11. Mr Sex maniac, who is 51 years old, pretends he is 35 and is always 'hitting' on the young female students and asking them out on dates. Does not like speaking with colleagues. Leads a secret life outside of the classroom which many colleagues think is a dubious lifestyle, not suited or becoming of his professional standing.

12. Then there is yours truly, about whom you can draw your own conclusions.

Ghost in Korea

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

So ghost as Robert Burns said,"Ther's a chiel among ye taking notes !"

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Thank you Scot - and I'm sure you have met some fine characters in the Gulf region.

Ghost in Korea

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Ghost. If you log in you can edit your posts. Look for the 'edit' button, top right, next to quote.

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:04 am Post subject:

To be honest, I think you could find any and all of the above character descriptions anywhere you worked, not just efl. They didn't actually sound that odd once you delve past the rather cruel descriptions-- a wallflower guy, a chilled out hippy, a fat woman with an eating disorder, a rather passionate Christian, a guy with anger issues, a woman who wears somewhat risque clothes who happens to fancy a colleague, a vegetarian with strong personal beliefs---- they sound like basic humans to me. Why are you so critical of others, ghost? Misanthropy doesn't suit you.