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demitrescou
Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 122
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 Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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| I say "assuming" because in my (so far) thirty-four years of teaching EFL/ESL, I've seen no indication and/or manifestation of such an attitude from the rest of the world. |
You must have been living in a bubble all this time.
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As I am treated with a very decent level of respect (and often even enthusiasm) by students, colleagues, and those I work with across other university faculties, I am certainly not suffering from anyone's 'lack of regard' for me or my job. In fact, I'm offered more projects than I can take on.
Those companies that pay huge invoices for my services on project work (which often includes soft skills - cultural communication focuses - at their request) don't seem to hold me in low esteem. |
Yes, but in what country? I don't think you would be the subject of such respect in a professional sense should you return to your home country. I think that's the angle SahanRiddhi was coming from. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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Dear demitrescou,
A traveling bubble, apparently - it was with me in Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, I've been teaching ESL here in Santa Fe since 2003, and I guess the bubble followed me here, too.
It's strange - I'm willing to accept demitrescou's, Hod's, and SahanRiddhi's word for it that they "don't get no respect." Apparently, however, they're not willing to accept my word - or spiral's. Makes one wonder - is it the profession that's not getting the respect or something else?
If it is the profession, you guys have my sympathy for landing in such lousy places among such lousy people.
Regards,
John |
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demitrescou
Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 122
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm willing to accept demitrescou's, Hod's, and SahanRiddhi's word for it that they "don't get no respect." |
Hmm, yes. I did say that didn't I. Can't converse with someone who twists what you say  |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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Dear demitrescou,
My goodness - I'm sorry. So, you DO get respect. But low status, huh? Gee, I kind of thought the more you have of one, the more you have of the other.
But I'm very glad to learn you're respectable.
Regards,
John |
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SahanRiddhi
Joined: 18 Sep 2010
Posts: 267
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Hod wrote: |
| SahanRiddhi wrote: |
| Julie is a tenured professor of political science. Fred teaches English overseas. |
For a couple of people on this thread, it sounds like Julie and Fred are colleagues. |
Now THIS is a person who gets the meaning of my posts ... |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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Dear SahanRiddhi,
Of course he does - he's another low-status EFL teacher. 
If you'd like some more status teaching EFL, PM me. I can recommend some good places - provided you have the qualifications/experience, that is.
Regards,
John
Last edited by johnslat on Thu May 26, 2011 8:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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demitrescou
Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 122
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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My goodness - I'm sorry. So, you DO get respect. But low status, huh? Gee, I kind of thought the more you have of one, the more you have of the other.
But I'm very glad to learn you're respectable. |
Can you imagine other professions logging on to their respective internet boards or what not and having these discussions, ridiculing each other and having debates about whether what they do is a joke or not. Quite funny when you think about it.
Last edited by demitrescou on Thu May 26, 2011 8:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Hod
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 1613
Location: Home
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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| This gap between German directness and British indirectness is the source of much miscommunication, says Professor Derek Bousfield, the head of linguistics at the University of Central Lancashire**, and one of the editors of the Journal of Politeness Research. |
(** a former polytechnic)
Joking aside, what a fortuitous example. Germans have a reputation for social awkwardness, absence of humour and no small talk. But what do I know? Actually, I know quite a bit, having lived here for seven years.
I like Germany a lot. That social awkwardness, however, is a major factor. It doesn�t affect me, though, I�m used to it but constantly aware of difficulties between Germans and other nationalities. But hang on, the German economy although faltering in recent times is usually, and currently, the strongest in Europe.
How can this be? My employer has 2000+ employees and not one has received cultural awareness training aka MS Powerpoint or shaking hands, despite them working daily face to face with people from nearly every country on the globe. How can the Republic of Germany be so successful, a G8 member even, with such an absence of cultural awareness training?
More down to earth comes along someone like me. I�m about as un-German as they come, i.e. some sort of Rik Parfitt lookalike, without the talent, who gets to work at 1030 on a good day. Germans like to start the day with a good handshake, but forget wet fish or any other type of handshake; I favour the Asian and more hygienic option of just saying hi.
So, why do the Germans put up with such a non-hand shaker who can�t get to work on time, let alone get a haircut? I�m not even any good at MS Powerpoint.
1. I�m OK at my job.
2. I speak the language.
Language teachers, you can�t do much about (1), whatever others may tell you. You can, however, make a massive difference to the all important (2).
Maybe, I�d be ever so successful with a haircut and a few hand shaking classes, but then again, no. I speak the language more than adequately and do very well in a country with a culture quite different from my own, thanks. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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Dear demitrescou,
Gosh - I guess I've STILL got it wrong, huh? Let me see if I can clarify matters.
You are talking about your job, right - teaching EFL. So, if I understand you correctly (and please correct me if I'm wrong,) you seem to be saying that while your job does get respect, it's still low status.
If that's what you mean, could you explain to me how a low status job can, at the same time, be respected.
If it's not what you mean, please clarify (preferably by using words rather than emoticons.)
Regards,
John |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Dear demitrescou,
"Can you imagine other professions logging on to their respective internet boards or what not and having these discussions, ridiculing each other and having debates about whether what they do is a joke or not. Quite funny when you think about it."
It is indeed - but that's because, unlike, say, physicians and lawyers, we don't take ourselves too seriously
Regards,
John |
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demitrescou
Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 122
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Dear John,
The point I'm trying to make. The thing I want to have a civil conversation about without you taking it out of context is that.....
Regards,
Demitrescou |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Dear demitrescou,
Yes . . . . . go on. Am I wrong in thinking that you get respect? And/or am I wrong in thinking that you believe teaching EFL is a low status job?
A little help here, please 
Regards,
John |
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demitrescou
Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 122
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry, I'm just not in a cooperative mood this evening. I'm out of a job in a few short weeks and I haven't figured out my next move. Hence, my life is a bit at the moment.
To answer your question. Yes, I get plenty of respect here in Greece, by colleagues and parents alike. Parents are coming to the school asking me not to leave and my boss keeps trying to get me to stay. Which I guess is sort of nice.
BUT, back in the UK, no. My background makes me worth toilet paper. Actually, toilet paper might be more useful. OK, no, that's going to far.
Last edited by demitrescou on Thu May 26, 2011 9:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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Dear demitrescou.
I'm truly sorry to hear that you'll be out of a job soon. I know it's highly unlikely, but if I can be of any help, please let me know.
Regards,
John
P.S. Do you have to go back to the UK?
Last edited by johnslat on Thu May 26, 2011 9:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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