Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mistermasan]

wow. just some nice things to share-

most days my first class is about 2:45. i get to the school about 2:00. look over the days lessons, talk witht he early arivers, etc. sometimes the floor is dirty and i sweep it with the granny broom. not a biggie. i'm single, i know how to work a broom. almost invariably when a student sees me sweeping the floor he/she comes over, without saying a word- take the broom from me and finish the job. when finished, they silently leave.

is this a korean culture thing? sure is touching.

similarly, on random days different kids just come up to me and give me a can of coffee. i try givng them money but they refuse. i dunno- maybe the school is puting them up to it. but naive me likes to feel the kindness of their courtesies.

[Rae]

OK we definitely need to hear more of these types of stories! Anyone else actually have something positive to share?

mistermasan, how long have you been teaching in Korea?

[KYC]

Very sweet indeed...some kids can be very sweet.


I teach at a 2nd school on Fridays and I usually carry ALL of my materials and lesson plans with me so it's usually at my big briefcase and another big homeplus plastic bag and my purse. When I arrive on school grounds, some student is always running up and grabbing the homeplus bag and my briefcas e and carries it to my classroom. Kids are at my first school never do this

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[nomad-ish]

one time, i even had a taxi driver pull over (it was raining late at night) and give me his umbrella. i thought he was gonna hassle me to get in the cab, but instead he just opened and handed the umbrella to me

[Snowkr]

more posts like these please!!

I got lost trying to find a subway station once and some guy standing on the side of the road who spoke a little bit of English nervously walked up and offered to give me a ride to wherever I was going.

He made certain to wait for his wife to join us before motioning me into the car... holding her hand the entire way. This guy really gave up a good deal of time fighting traffic to get me to where I wanted to go and then refused to let me pay him anything when we arrived at the subway station.

Before I got out... he just said, "God bless you".
Many of my high school students and co-teachers are just as kind and courteous...

[IncognitoHFX]

My friend and I were waiting for a taxi on a massively busy highway close to my house. We were wearing t-shirts and shorts.

Suddenly, it just started pouring--and I mean pouring. We were drenched within a couple of seconds when a minivan pulled over and a woman handed us each an umbrella before driving off. It was a nice experience

[Tjames426]

Yeah..

I've had parents give me a box of apples, cakes, and various other things. On general, the students can be very kind.

My co-teachers can as well. So can my Director.

Students have offered me their "break" food. I had one little kid give me his dinosaur in a bubble. The following week, I gave it back.

One of the strangest is cleaning the White Board. I have kids fight to clean the whiteboard right before class break.

Let's not forget the greatest present they give ... flu and colds. Remember to wash you hands after every kiddie class. Wash your hands after every toilet break.

[elliemk]

I left my old job a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't help but crying in several of my classes as I said goodbye to the kids. There were a brother and sister in one class. They couldn't stop crying. Told me I was the most wonderful teacher they'd ever had. I brought all my kids a going away present - a colorful pencil with a berry-shaped eraser on top (10 for 1500 won at Home Plus).

That night, during one of the last classes, there was a knock on the door. The brother and sister came in and handed me a ceramic heart-shaped box. Inside was a note from each, a little Korea flag and two candles that they had made since they left school. Of course, I started crying again and gave them a big hug.

I have so many wonderful stories of kindness from the Korean people. It's just one of the reasons why I love this country so much.

[Snowkr]

Love it.

Keep the praise Korea posts coming...!
It really is a pretty awesome country.

[ardis]

After just moving here, I got lost and it started to rain. I had a small map with me and asked a guy walking by if he knew where a certain palce was. He spent 30 minutes in the pouring rain to help me find the place, running into stores to ask the cashiers and into the gas stations, too. We eventually found it and I thanked him profusely. He just smiled, nodded, and walked away.

[Anyang-si]

I've been here for 6months. My school is great. My HOD and her family has taken me away for weekend trips to see the country. They've taken me to many restaurants or invited me to their home to have meals. They've never wanted me to pay for anything! I have had to find ways to pay, like pretending to go to the bathroom or get some fresh air, or forcefully take the bill so i can pay for our meal. But, they've cottoned on to me and now her husband always pays as soon as we've ordered!
Another family from the mum's group that I teach at school, have invited me to their place every weekend so I can have a good meal! Sometimes the meal is at home (she's a great cook) or out. After the meal it's usually off to the movies, out for karaoke, gimgillybang (oops, is that right?) or Korean games at home. It's so much fun, cos I feel like part of the family, as I miss mine so much. I never have to pay for anything with them either.
During the summertime, our Principal usually gave us iceblocks, icecreams or loads of fruit during the day and other teachers are always sharing their 'snacks' and drinks too.
I haven't learnt a lot of Korean, but for those teachers who don't speak English, greeting them in Korean and bowing seems to go a long way.
The kids can be really sweet too. I'm always being given lollies and chocolates and sometimes bits of random food from home, throughout the day. Even though Pepero day was yesterday, there were sticks and boxes given to me on Friday and continuing today! I have to say I'm all Pepero'ed out! lol

[IncognitoHFX]

Wow... Anyang-si? Where do you work and are they hiring?

My boss/staff are really nice but my students are a nightmare from hell and I think all the parents hate me.

[Jizzo T. Clown]