Job Discussion Forums

hamel · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 95

i generally avoid religious topics in my classes as in a western public school--but koreans are very cool in that they tend to be very tolerant toward each other's religious point of view and don't freak out but have an intellectual curiosity about islam, buddhism, christianity, and others.

but there are aggressive folks here also. i got a kick out of a taxi driver passing out buddhist tracts in his cab and even a buddhist couple came into our home to explain their point of view. though tired of cult(extreme) church groups. often my students invite me to their churches too.

the japan vegetarian survey job is listed on daves.
hamel

Ace · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

Xmas is such a horrible time time in China...strangers and students back home don't wish me a happy xmas or send ecards...here in China, communist China, the local government invited me...only me mind you, no 'and partner...' to a f ucking xmas party in one of the classiest hotels in town...

My students tell me condescendingly that the Spring Festival in China is like xmas in 'the West' but xmas isn't celebrated in China...yii, that's one of the biggest lies of all! The xmas decorations are still in place at one of the 'coffee shops' a friend likes to go to...and insists on taking me to...

(Why is the coffee so awful in these places? Because the girls who f art around making it have never drunk it, obviously, and have no interest in doing so. Fabulously expensive but I'd rather have my '3 in 1' !!! as always, in China, appearances are everything, but it gives them another chance to say Western food is shit...)

To the Chinese, the only thing that is serious is money. In 'the West' we would be cautious about inviting a Muslim to celebrate xmas...or anyone we didn't know...but in China it doesn't matter.

This is the land of mauvais foi!

There are so many cult xtians or oldies around here teaching "Western culture' by having the kids sing songs like 'silent night, holy night' and 'away in a f ucking manger'...never even 'Rudolph the whatsit' or 'Jingle etc' that a lot of students do think that all 'Westerners' are xtians and xmas is an important part of 'Western culture', even if "xmas is not a religious festival..." (They are always quick to voice opinions on 'the West', aren't they...they know so much about it...)

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Uh, Ace? Are you sure you're in the right job? You sounds like you have a serious case of burnout... maybe you should give TEFL a break for a while and go on vacation!

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

"Rudolf..." I always thought that was about the workers at BNFL (British Nuclear Fuels Limited).

Bye y'all.

sns

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 12:47 am Post subject:

A (very) side note:

Let's not forget that the histories of modern linguistics and of EFL are intimately tied with missionaries.

Many of the earliest European and American linguists were missionaries whose job it was to translate the Bible into some of the world's less common languages. In turn, they also taught English (and other languages).

Many of the first written dictionaries and grammars of certain languages were the result of work by missionaries and their local acolytes.

A classic modern study of phonology was the result of the work of a distinguished misisonary-turned-linguist (Kenneth Pike), with whom I was privileged to study.

And the list goes on.

In fact, many of these early linguists were much more interested in studying and documenting the local language, culture and religion than in proselytizing for Christ. They were truly good and generous people.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

James_T_Kirk · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 357 Location: Ten Forward

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I can ermpathise with Ace even if he is prematurely burnt out about the Chinese' attitude to Christmas and similar Western festivities.
They have gone overboard here in a grand way!

These days, you have no right to privacy on your own "holy" days; those atheist communists take you for granted as their Christmas decoration. They have the impertinence of "invitingou to their big galas where they regale their own buddies, kids and all, and you are there to give it a degree of Christian legitimacy. If you are a little unlucky, you will have to wear one of those horrible red baize Santa dresses with hood and mumble "Merry Xmas, merry Xmas..."

Seriously, I consider this a big invasion in my privacy, considering how unwelcome Christian "idolatry" was just a few years up th to last century! I remember we were NOT allowed to share our CHristmas sentiments with our students. We were supposed to be clositered up during the event, and no time off was given.

But nowadays, the CHinese hold PARTIES, where they splurge and show off. What's particularly annoying is that they don't respect your right to say "no" to their "invitations". It so hrs ordered me to come to their events, well, one was a friend, not a boor; I had to let three of them down (my fault???), and you know what? They had the nerve to say "it's impolite to not accept my invitation..."

I also enjoyed a party with Chinese on Christmas in another year - but that was a personal invitation, and they entertained me graciously, at their expense, without abusing me as their foreign piece of prestige.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Ace · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

Am I the only atheist here?

I could believe that.

(Nail some sense into them!)

nomadder · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:10 pm Post subject:

Nothing wrong with it Ace. People shouldn't be made to feel bad or wrong if they are not "good" Christians. Anyone can be good.

Yes Roger, separation of education and religion. I agree. In fact most if not all of what you said seems to support my views in a strange way. THanks.
PS
Been to about 50 countries in the last few years. And you?

zaneth · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:37 pm Post subject:

A high school friend of mine teaches in a religious institution in the states. She's not specifically required to adhere to their religion, (I imagine she's nominally protestant, I believe it's a catholic school) but there is a morals clause in her contract. This seems reasonable to me.

I know that a lot of Christians feel that ideas like "open-mindedness" and homosexuality, feminism, etc., are being forced down their throats. Christians in America don't seem to feel they're in the majority (even when they are).

It does seem strange to me when a christian thinks they might be telling me something new.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Nomadder wrote: