Job Discussion Forums

gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

Oh lord! I remember spending hours in the public library poring over huge European railway and ferry timetables trying to work out a trip to Berlin (flights were prohibitively expensive then). These days a few clicks on the Brit Airways website and an e-ticket confirmation is in my inbox in seconds - and the same trip actually costs LESS than it did fifteen years ago.

Technology has its pros and cons, but to me the major benefit is that an ordinary prole like myself can find out information directly and so see past the sales talk and marketing hype.

If the only information you had about a prospective EFL employer in a far-off land was that employer's own glossy brochure, I suspect the world would be a tougher place...

Capergirl · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 1:35 pm Post subject:

My mom (who can't even turn a computer on) asked me this the other day: "What did people do before there was email? Everyone is always having to check their email!" I said that they had to use the telephone and then they'd get stuck in conversations that wouldn't end. Email is a blessing for those of us who hate yakking on the phone for hours. Very Happy

I also got 2 of my 3 ELT jobs (the two in Asia) via the internet, or to be more specific, via Dave's ESL Cafe. Wink

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

I did not spend as much time inside but rather communicating as part of a group in a pub or other establishment. I read more books from the public library and did more prep at work. I listened to more music now I don't bother. TV came along when I was 16 and it didnt keep my attention very long, this bugg*r does though. Most important of all I spent a fortune on international telephone calls.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I remember backpacking through Europe for 10 months before there was internet. I had a basic outline of a route (mid-May: Rome, early July: Istanbul....) that I left with family and friends. They would send mail Poste Restante to the main Post office in the city. About once/month I'd be checking the mail and I remember how excited I'd be for a week prior to that in anticipation of news.
Once I got an audio cassette sent and as I didn't have any machine I played it over the hostel intercom system in Istanbul. Everyone was subjected to my Dad's bad jokes. Laughing

This was so much better than email and those letters were like gold. Mind you I could never go back to the way it was.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

The internet certainly saves time as all the info you need is right at your fingertips, but it can waste a lot of time too. How many of you have wanted to check your email for 5 minutes and 2 hours later you're looking at something else and have lost track of time? Or am I the only one?

I like the internet for research too. I can't believe how much I have learned about Masters programs from universities around the world and how I can gather information. It also allows you to study and go to school from home.

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

I received a proper letter yesterday and I was touched. Yeah, it was typed, not hand written, but I loved it. I know this person has email, which made me feel even better.

I still like writing letters sometimes. I write to my granny, even tho I know Mom tells her all my emails and prints them and lets everyone read them.