Job Discussion Forums

[Deicide]

[coledavis]

Whoops. Sorry over the misunderstanding re 'vet'. Having said that, most threads are written clearly (even if they sometimes get the spelling wrong). As this one seems to be rather obscurantist (as well as slogan-ridden - where's the beef, indeed), I intend to bow out of it.

[Justin Trullinger]

If you're downplaying "literate" as something you like about a culture, I guess we haven't had the same experiences of literacy and lack thereof.

I've lived a lot of my adulthood in places where illiteracy and aliteracy pretty much dominate the population. Makes it hard, sometimes, for a voracious reader like me to fit in.

And when I see the impact on early childhood development, it frankly makes me want to cry.

Having spent a lot of the last decade in circumstances where "How many books have you read?" (and they mean "in your life") seems a perfectly logical question, I was THRILLED in Korea to have friends and students who read literature, and would talk about it with me. Seeing all the books and newspapers come out when people settle in for a train journey warms my heart.

I did a biographincal reading on Ernest Hemmingway with Korean students, and after class wound up witnessing a long, in depth conversation amongst them about the influence of his life on his work. Few things I'd rather do with my time to tell you the truth.

If you're saying literacy is a neglible advantage for a country, I guess we're just on a different wavelength.

Best,

Justin

PS- And the food rocks. I have been to few places where the local cuisine has stood the assault of western fast food so well. And I like kimchi with my spicy noodle soup.

[Deicide]

[johnslat]

Dear Deicide,

"Net Migration Zero"

The "insinuation" being, of course, that it's such a great place, no one wants to leave.

Dear Justin,
I totally agree with you about the "literacy" - but we have different tastes regarding kimchi:

"Radish is the main material, and red pepper, garlic, ginger, green onion, salt-fermented shrimp and etc, are added. Whole radish is washed, trimmed, and cut into dices. It also has a process of fermentation."

Of course, on the other hand, anything that has to be fermented can't be ALL bad.

Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

You are, indeed, a better man than I. (Yet, still not able to inform)...

NCTBA

P.s.- All I require is a simple answer...and you, sir, are unable to provide it. Again, enjoy SK for all it has to offer... but that being said, stay the HELL away from that makgeolli...that's some wicked, nasty stuff...

NCTBA

[Deicide]

[Justin Trullinger]

A couple of other thoughts- I always assumed that Korea had a different forum with different registration because it was such a big market, and perhaps because that was where Mr Sperling got his start. I don't have any real evidence for that, or particularly care, but the idea that having its own forum proves that there is something terrible about the place is equally unfounded.

Next thought- Cabbage kimchi is a lot better than radish kimchi.

Speaking of fermented- Both are better with soju.

Speaking of hagwons- No. Absolutely not. I can think of no reason at all to try out a hagwon. Aggravating schedules, irritating bosses (from what I've heard), teaching standards that don't sound valid, all for money that doesn't motivate me to get up in the morning. No thank you.

The idea that my experience wasn't South Korea simply because it wasn't a hagwon is silly, though.

WHat is "makgeolli?"

Best,

Justin


PS- THe thing about hagwons is that it sounds like they have the same problems that for-profit education has everywhere. One of the reasons I don't do it. (for-profit education, that is.)

[johnslat]

Dear Deicide,

Are they robotic computers?

Dave Bowman: Hello, HAL. Do you read me, HAL?
HAL: Affirmative, Dave. I read you.
Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
Dave Bowman: What's the problem?
HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
Dave Bowman: What are you talking about, HAL?
HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
Dave Bowman: I don't know what you're talking about, HAL.
HAL: I know that you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.
Dave Bowman: Where the hell'd you get that idea, HAL?
HAL: Dave, although you took very thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
Dave Bowman: Alright, HAL. I'll go in through the emergency airlock.
HAL: Without your space helmet, Dave, you're going to find that rather difficult.
Dave Bowman: HAL, I won't argue with you anymore. Open the doors.
HAL: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.
HAL: Just what do you think you're doing, Dave?
[on Dave's return to the ship, after HAL has killed the rest of the crew]
HAL: Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over."

Always listen to your robotic computer's advice.


And by the way, I've always thought insinuate was gluttony.
Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

What is "makgeolli?"

Takju (hangul: 탁주; hanja: 濁酒)[5], better known as makgeolli (막걸리), is a milky, off-white, sweet alcoholic beverage made from rice. It is also called nongju (hangul: 농주; hanja: 農酒; lit. "farmers' alcohol"). A regional variant, originally from Gyeonggi-do, is called dongdongju. Another variety, called ihwaju (hangul: 이화주; hanja: 梨花酒; literally "pear blossom wine") was so named because it was brewed from rice with rice malt that had fermented during the pear blossom season.[6] Ihwaju is often so thick that it must be eaten with a spoon.

-wikipedia

Made me so drunk that is couldn't stop crying upon saying goodbye to my precious students...

NCTBA (THE DRUNK)

[Sashadroogie]

Communist countries or ex-communist countries rule the literacy and literary stakes. Ura! Not surprising as there doesn't seem to have been much else to do but read the classics. Come to Moscow and ride the metro: a range a books and papers in various languages being read by local commuters not likely matched anywhere else. And most of your students will probably be far, far better read in your own national literature than most of your friends. Quite high demand for TEFL teachers too, but you'd need to be well read or you won't impress them much.

[johnslat]

Dear Sashadroogle.

Is Jack London still a biggie in Russia?

Regards,
John

[spiral78]

I recall reading once that Scandinavia has both the highest literacy rate in the world, and one of the highest rates of suicide. I reckon in those long, dark winters, if you can't read, it's tempting to just off yourself

[johnslat]

Dear spiral78,

"I recall reading once that Scandinavia has both the highest literacy rate in the world, and one of the highest rates of suicide."

That's S.A.D.

Regards,
John

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

O.K., help me out here... S.A.D.?

NCTBA