Job Discussion Forums

[nasigoreng]

My troublesome two years in Taiwan were enough to make me reconsider teaching ESL altogether. Now back in the US, I'm getting the travel bug again and thinking about trying Japan or Korea.

I can accept that I was partly to blame for my experiences in Taiwan (I was trying too hard to be a good teacher and be nice too).


But I observed a sincere lack of professionalism and structure: inadequate teaching materials, lack of class structure- advanced and beginning students mixed together, that I have no desire to repeat..

Has anyone changed countries and found the experiences totally different ... . better?

[dmb]

I moved from Turkey to the Gulf. In the Gulf, where you are supposedly more experienced, professional and get more money.....well let's just say the working conditions are the total opposite. The organisation and (lack of) management skills is the reason you need the the experience. They aren't going to help you. You are on your own.
So if you want to repeat your experience of Taiwan but get more money. Come to the Gulf.

{DMB prepare to be flamed}

[johnslat]

Dear dmb,

"DMB prepare to be flamed".

Why so? Anyone who flames you for what you just posted would have to be "blissfully ignorant" (hmm, we're got "thread-spread" here) of what conditions in the Gulf are like.
Regards,
John

[dmb]

Dear John,
Thread spread? This is a new term to me. But from context/confusion I think I know what you mean.

[johnslat]

Dear dmb,
It had better be new - I just made it up. But watch - soon it'll catch on and, well, spead all over the Net. And will I get the credit? No way. It'll be just another case that's the same as the gym slogan I coined:

" Remember, a waist is a terrible thing to mind"

There MUST be some way I can patent these brainstorms.

Regards,
John

[dmb]

Dear John,
If you ever need a witness.
I'm still claiming the term "Daveaholic"
(Do a search I bet I used it first)

[johnslat]

Dear dmb,
Uh, maybe not. I did a search and the earliest mention of the term I could find was this, posted by guest of Japan.

"Wed Jan 14, 2004 10:38 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm certainly glad you are still with us capergirl. I'll be the first person to stand behind johnslat and Gordon waiting to kick the dead body of your verbal assailant. The dead know no fury like a cowards wrath.

Any way welcome back. Your twelve steps to Daveaholic recovery was a wonderful post and I'm quite fond of your current avatar as well. "

But maybe I didn't do the search right. Let me know if you can validate your claim.
Regards,
John

[dmb]

Dear John,
I still think it was me.
I first used the term on Jan 11th.
Do a search for 'Daveaholic'
then put DMB in for user(that's been said before) And I still stand by my claim
Inshallah

[johnslat]

Dear dmb,
You're quite right. The honor and the glory - but no money - are all yours. My congratulations.
Regards,
John

[dmb]

Dear John,
When OED come knocking I'll tell them it doesn't matter. I have your acknowledgement.