Job Discussion Forums

[natsume]

http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/young-americans-flock-overseas-339408.html

Love the "real job" quip!

[Molson]

There seems to be those types of articles all the time. What is scary though is that it could be a larger reality if the job market doesn't improve in NA.

[sroetem]

"Japan and China, where parents are gung-ho for English.

�These schools are interested in pronunciation, being able to make conservation, not rules of grammar,� says Dave Sperling, 48, who runs a Web-based business in Los Angeles helping foreign schools and recruiters find teachers."


Only trying to join the conversation.

[Glenski]

�These schools are interested in pronunciation, being able to make conservation, not rules of grammar,� says Dave Sperling...



Yes, folks, that's the word (not conversation) that was written in the article!

WTF?

Aside from that obvious typo, I think the whole article was mostly rubbish, pointing too much at the goodies in Korea, which are NOT the norm in the rest of the world.

I also took offense at the "real job" crack.

[natsume]

I assume Mr. Sperling wasn't aware that he was putting himself in the hands of a hack "journalist".

[denise]

Everything in that article was predictable.

I get annoyed when people come here to the forum and use that "real" jobs bit, but really, if the majority of the folks back home think that what they do (whatever it may be...) is more real that what I do, I really don't care. I had a "real" job for a couple of years before I started teaching, and I hated it. Sat in an office--thank god it wasn't a cubicle--and spent 8 hours on the computer, on the phone, making photocopies, sending faxes... A lifetime of that could really drain a person's soul.

From what I read about what's going on back home--both economically and in people's personal lives--I'm enjoying my life and my job a whole lot more than a lot of people. Let them keep their real jobs.

d

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I think it may be a good idea to keep in mind that the article is specifically addressing those jobs that require absolutely no training, experience or even a relevant degree- the bottom of the barrel in terms of conversation school jobs. Most of the people who stay on for further 'hitches' (that's the part that irked me the most) go on to get qualifications and are in different kinds of positions than the ones described in the article. And if better private elementary junior and senior high jobs start hiring people like that (as is beginning to happen with dispatch companies in Japan) then you have to start wondering if they really are any better.

[AjarnIam]

[johntpartee]

[denise]

[gaijinalways]

I never worked in a cubicle, but I certainly worked as much as I do now. I actually make more copies now (I keep trying to keep that down with laminates), but I do like my job a lot more most of the time.

Yes, this 'real' job pays the bills and then some. well actually a lot of jobs in the US require minimal training, so I not even sure conversation school jobs would be that different.

[Sadebugo]

[gaijinalways]

[sharter]

EFL is an alternative lifestyle that's why people knock it. That said, it's a way of life you get stuck in.

[gaijinalways]