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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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 Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Bukowski wrote: |
That each individual feels in charge of his or her own experiences is the true mark of a mature and responsible human being. By not taking responsibility for our present situation we in effect forfeit the right to a better future. We are all in situations of our own choosing. Our attitude will greatly determine whether we succeed or fail. By disclaiming responsibility for our present, we crush any prospect for a brighter future that could be ours for the asking. It's unfortunate that many native English teachers in Korea don't understand that simple reality.
It is interesting to note that the original person who inquired about EPIK responded by saying, ``I guess it's all a matter of luck.�� Really? A matter of luck? Does he mean that intelligence has nothing to do with choosing a job? How about wisdom? Reflections on one's life experiences and lessons learned? And careful planning? Do native English teachers really think that teaching English in Korea comes down to rolling the dice and hoping for a lucky number? Do they not see that this fatalistic attitude contributes, in part, to any bad experiences they may have?
The truth is, in life, we make our own luck. How? By doing research; by making the right friends who advise us wisely; by surrounding ourselves with good people; by using our common sense, intelligence and life experiences to reach certain conclusions; and, most important of all, by not listening to ignorant and bitter people, especially over the Internet, who do not have the best interests of others at heart.
Check out the rest of the article at http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/opinion/200703/kt2007032118284354060.htm
Good stuff.
AC
Well, if you are in control, then what do a camel and piece of straw have to do with anything? The phrase is used to express that constant pressure caused one to collapse (i.e. that an outside force was responsible, not you).
That is not something somebody would say, if they were in control of their environment. |
Didn't you read the last Steve Schertzer discussion on the GDB? The clown blames teachers for making bad choices when he himself went through EPIK, the biggest crap shoot in Korea. |
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dmbfan
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Come on guys, let's leave this to rest now. As far as I can tell, dmbfan and Bukowski are both good teachers and people (although it's not for me to judge) - overall - but in different ways. Each and every one of us have our faults, but from what I've seen both of the posters have the right intentions at heart. I do think it was a mistake that dmbfan spent so long trying to get an answer from one student, and I'm sure he'll admit to that.
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But it's an isolated incident, as far as I can tell, produced by cumulative frustations, surrounded by indications that generally he's doing his best to help the students learn English.
Likewise, I don't think you should criticise Bukowski so much. While much of what he says can seem overly critical of Western teachers, he is genuinely trying to help and he will take the time out to provide good advice and assistance on matters of teaching. Both dmbfan and Bukowski are right in their own ways and in their own circumstances, but the fact is that every situation is different. Every school is different and we shouldn't judge people so cuttingly from the mere extract of life that is posted here on Dave's. We need much more info to make qualified opinions - and even with that we can be wrong.
Anyway, just my thoughts... |
Yeah, well.........................
But.............................
Moreover.................
Ok, fair enough.
This is done. I'm heading out.
(funny, I recorded the conversation, concerning why the teacher would not answer me...........why she did not tell me about the retarted student.........and was amused on how my counter part tried to cover for her by saying "she did not know" So, I asked, "um.......if that were the case, whey did she tell me he was retarted right after?"..............his silence was worth recording)
This is done.
Cheers.
dmbfan |
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gypsyfish
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:54 am Post subject: |
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| So, you weren't fired? |
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Jellypah
Joined: 27 Oct 2004
Location: ROK
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:16 am Post subject: |
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| Hey dmb,....I'm still a little fuzzy. Did you say something about some straw and a camel? What's that about? |
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dmbfan
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:49 am Post subject: |
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| Hey dmb,....I'm still a little fuzzy. Did you say something about some straw and a camel? What's that about? |
Nope, that was not me. I believe that was Bukwoski.
Cheers.
dmbfan |
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dmbfan
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:51 am Post subject: |
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| So, you weren't fired? |
I was told I was going to be............but, as it turned out, I'm not.
However, I think I am going to head on out anyway. After four years, I think I've had enough of Korea.........and I'm sure it has had enough of me.
I'll always love the kids though.
dmbfan |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:04 am Post subject: |
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1. There is zero, I mean zero, reason to what you described in the OP. Kids learn at different rates, in different ways. If you think doing what you described is giving kids "confidence", I suggest you think again. It also plays exactly opposite of Korean culture. A safe environment gives them confidence, not a confrontational one.
Now, I do teach my kids I don't know is an acceptable response, but I do it in the context of a classroom being a place to risk, to be wrong and to learn from errors and mistakes. It's not a power tripping tool.
Ten minutes? Gawd....
2. Sorry, but it is pretty easy to know when a kid is not fully capable. It takes precious little observation, in fact. Any disabled kids in your classes are likely being mainstreamed. They spend at least part of their time with special ed teachers. Seek these people out and find out which kids are in that group. |
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Alyallen
Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Location: The 4th Greatest Place on Earth = Jeonju!!!
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:40 am Post subject: |
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| EFLtrainer wrote: |
| 2. Sorry, but it is pretty easy to know when a kid is not fully capable. It takes precious little observation, in fact. Any disabled kids in your classes are likely being mainstreamed. They spend at least part of their time with special ed teachers. Seek these people out and find out which kids are in that group. |
I just got to jump in here for this bit. I've seen so many students who LOOK as if they have some sort of problem and they don't. The only student in my school who is disabled does LOOK disabled.
In any case, why should he have to find the special ed teacher in that situation. THE HOMEROOM TEACHER of that class was SITTING RIGHT THERE...DOING NOTHING! That seems messed up to me...very messed up. Plus we can't assume there is a special ed teacher...I had a thread about disabled students in the classroom and a few teachers mentioned that there was no special ed teacher at their school.
In any event...I can see where you are coming from but in the context of the situation the OP was in, it's more than a bit irrelevant... |
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SHANE02
Joined: 04 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:44 am Post subject: |
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| EFLtrainer wrote: |
1. There is zero, I mean zero, reason to what you described in the OP. Kids learn at different rates, in different ways. If you think doing what you described is giving kids "confidence", I suggest you think again. It also plays exactly opposite of Korean culture. A safe environment gives them confidence, not a confrontational one.
Now, I do teach my kids I don't know is an acceptable response, but I do it in the context of a classroom being a place to risk, to be wrong and to learn from errors and mistakes. It's not a power tripping tool.
Ten minutes? Gawd....
2. Sorry, but it is pretty easy to know when a kid is not fully capable. It takes precious little observation, in fact. Any disabled kids in your classes are likely being mainstreamed. They spend at least part of their time with special ed teachers. Seek these people out and find out which kids are in that group. |
I agree with this post.
Also, In Korea you'd be lucky if ANYONE(Including parents) admitted a child was/is different or has special needs. Add the total lack of communication foreign teachers have to deal with in Korea, and you end up with major frustration. I'm not talking about a "language barrier" here. I'm talking about the "don't tell me until the last minute if at all barrier". Now is that lack of organization, or cultural?
DMBfan: I've snapped once at a Korean teacher. It needed to be done, and I did it after class. I know you were thinking about leaving, so I wish you all the best in what you do. Maybe this is for the best. Be happy. |
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