Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sjk1128]

EPIK recently held an essay contest for Korea's public school native English teachers. The instructions read

...NIIED will hold an Essay Contest for Native English Teachers in Korea. The purpose of the contest is to find a way to improve EPIK, encourage current NETs and the officials in charge, and enhance the quality of English education. NETs with excellent works will be given awards and prize money.
□ Contest Subjects
- NETs' experience in adjusting to Korean customs, overcoming cultural barriers and conflicts with Korean teachers and students.
- Ways to improve English education...

Today the results of the contest were released. The letter accompanying that release read

...We would like to thank all of the applicants for participating in the essay contest. Many of the essays showed that all the school and Provincial Offices of Education are united in making great improvements in English education. They also stated the principals, supervisors, co-teachers and Neats are establishing a close rapport with one another. NEATs especially have tried to overcome cultural barriers between their home country and Korea in a variety of ways, eventually adapting with ease....

This is sticking in my craw because it wreaks of the same pile of dung standing between all of us and the positive changes we would like to effect in the Korean English education system that I described in my essay.

Fire away Dave's posters: make me laugh or make me mad. Anything's better than the creeping apathy which overtakes me with every such turn in Korea.

[ED209]

The EPIK propaganda machine marches into war. Answering the low morale of the native teacher by taking a leaf out of 1984. These signed confessions are only the start of our glorious EPIK brother.

Do we get to see the winning essays?
Do we get to see yours?
What will epik do with them? Pull in more fresh meat?

[ttompatz]

[thegadfly]

I am sorry, but I do not understand what you are upset about...nor even what you are saying....

From the responses, I am assuming that the winning essay talked about how NEATS (whatever the heck those are) have or can overcome the significant cultural differences, and adapt....

So what is your complaint? That the winning essay wasn't about how to improve the Korean system? 50/50 I would think, given two topics....

I don't think there was any show of impartiality -- I mean, EPIK is holding the essay contest -- obviously, one criterion will be upholding/reflecting EPIK's mission...it IS a frikkin' propaganda contest....

I would also assume that the tone of the essays that addressed improving Korea's educational system were probably pretty negative -- and I doubt a rant would win any kind of essay contest, propaganda or not....

However, you say that your essay was about positive changes, so perhaps your submission was rant-free...could someone just have written a better essay about the other topic? Is that possible?

[rhinocharge64]

I guess the truth hurts.

[yingwenlaoshi]

We are the knights who say NEAT!

[sjk1128]

The stated purposes were to find a way to improve EPIK, to encourage everyone involved, and improve English education. But apparently, what was looked for were essays that showed how all the school offices are united; principals, supervisors, and co-teachers have developed a close rapport; and NETs have overcome cultural barriers with ease.

The subjects should only be a vehicle. You drive your car to a destination to get out of it, not sit in it. Likewise, in this case one would presumably write about the subjects to reach the stated purposes, not to produce some kind of smarmy diary of �my life in Korea.� I wrote a 5 page essay which referenced 7 books written by well known researchers in the TESOL field. I addressed all 3 stated purposes of the contest within the context of the stated subjects. I'm not saying I should have won because I haven't seen the winning essays yet, but I do resent that it appears I was judged on very different criteria from those listed in the instructions.

And it is not unreasonable to think an educational institution might look well beyond self-preservation and self-congratulation to actually seeking self-improvement through constructive criticism.

[boyne11]

Can Koreans read, understand, and fully digest what you have written?

I doubt it.

Only thing they would read and understand are:

1. Korea good.
2. Kimchi is the best food.
3. EPIK program number one.
4. Koreans are friendly.
5. Waegooks suck.

[nomad-ish]

[oldfatfarang]

Good on you for taking the trouble to offer your cross-cultural and teaching experience to help your Korean employer. That is exactly what a Western employer would expect (and value).

However, some of the major life-skills in surviving, living and teaching in Korea is knowing what Koreans want - what they are thinking - how they use 'indirect' (or face) communication - and knowing the place of an employee in a Confucian hierarchy.

To survive here, a Western teacher can not take anything a Korean employer says at face value. It is plainly obvious that this essay contest was asking for a 'good write up' in the best Korean style.

Although you missed the point, I'm sure that recording your experiences helped solidify your teaching philosophy. But I wouldn't expect your K employer to thank you for pointing out any faults in their education system. For better or worse, that's just not how it's done around here.

[sjk1128]

I was also recently sent to another school to observe another NET. The KET at my school told me it was part of another EPIK contest and that I was to evaluate her teaching along with a panel.

When I arrived, I was given a lesson plan but no forms to complete an evaluation. Two (older and expensively dressed) education office types arrived late and appeared to do the actual evaluation. I did not know why the other 20+ people (including myself) were crowded around the corners and walls of the room. At first I thought it was to learn by observing a superior teaching example. She was a gifted novice teacher with great ideas and energy. However, she seemed unaware of two basic principles in teaching a second language: how to check for understanding and how to maintain an appropriate language level.

What troubles me about that incident was that she had already reached the last leg of the competition, yet she had apparently not been judged on normal Korean or western criteria. Westerners would normally judge her teaching primarily based on merit: how well she followed the basic principles of teaching a second language and her creativity. Koreans would normally judge her teaching primarily based on her alma mater, her highest degree achieved, her age, and her years of experience. This young woman looked to be under 25, did not have a teaching degree, did not attend a top university, and has been teaching for less than 2 years - less than 1 in a public school. She also, while exhibiting great potential and natural talent, was obviously untrained in TESOL.

So why were we there? My boyfriend (Korean) tells me it was all for show. He tells me that this is what he hates most about Korea, the many things that are frequently done only for show. He said the essay contest was likely held for the same "reason." From my (western) perspective, I can't imagine whom the "shows" were meant to impress.

[inkoreaforgood]

[sjk1128]

Inkoreaforgood, thanks. That made a big toothy smile cross my face.

Oldfatfarang, I think you're right. Writing the essay did help me hone my educational philosophy and refine my thoughts about TESOL in Korea. And observing the teacher did remind me of my own TESOL training. However, evaluations of my work by the EPIK program are in many ways so dehumanizing. I'm alternately expected to follow western stereotypes and Korean expectations. Meanwhile, I am apparently only judged based on how "cute" or "feel good" I am, not by Korean or western standards of excellence in teaching. It is degrading not to be treated as a person in either terms.

The 1984 tangent made me chuckle too. Thanks.

I'm feeling much better, having just taught a very successful and stimulating kindergarten class. I'm curious to hear what other public school teachers out there think of all this though.

[marlow]

[thegadfly]

I, too, support surprise evaluations -- I hate dogs and I hate ponies.

Ya know, the in-service days at public schools in the US were pretty useless too...wish it could be otherwise, but such is as it is....