Korean Job Discussion Forums

sargx · Joined: 29 Nov 2007

I picked this over a job at Morgan Stanley. Why? To travel. Who cares about money, working only 2-3 hours a day is awesome.

Scotticus · Joined: 18 Mar 2007

agentX · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Location: Jeolla province

I remember reading a month ago in the Korean newspapers that Korean companies are requiring applicants to be able to speak in English and that they are moving away from the TOEIC style tests.

So...anybody think this is gonna end well?

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

Hank the Iconoclast · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Location: Busan

bgreenster · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Location: too far from the beach

Actually what I have found to be interesting is the number of adults who are re-studying English because they want to travel, and who I think have found themselves to be less satisfied by their "average" lives than they thought they would be. I spend time with English discussion groups, and it's surprising to see who is really serious about becoming fluent in English.

Honestly, while it can be frustrating to teach students who probably won't use what we're teaching them in the future (I'm guessing that's how my math and science teachers felt when teaching me things like Calculus or Physics)... it's also really cool to see how open-minded many people are to the ideas of traveling abroad and having foreign friends, or simply learning more about other cultures.

I have to agree with the OP- and say that for me, I still feel needed here, especially when I am working with adults who openly say that just talking with a native speaker for the brief time we're together is really helping them.

It's crazy how much my perspective has changed over the course of this year, really.

flummuxt · Joined: 15 Mar 2007

earthbound14 · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Location: seoul

This in one thing I find very consistent in Korea.

I have students that can't answer basic questions and just can't seem to talk to me.

"Hi, How are you?"
"I'mfinethankyouandyou."
"What did you do today?"
"........ahhhh mooragessa."

I put a book in front of them....

"The girl kissed the frog and he turned into a handsome prince." Student

"Good work!!!" I say, "What did the girl do?"
".........." student
"What...did...the....girl...do?" me
"..........." student

My students know how to repeat what I say, they know how to read and they even know how to tell me what words mean in Korean (they do have pretty large vocabularies) but they cannot make a sentence even after extensive grammar classes and high TOIEC scores.

Trying to get my students to trust me and study in a way that will actually promote language learning is like pulling teeth. They want to repeat, repeat, repeat. Then play hangman, play hangman, play hangman, no in between.

What makes things worse is when parents tell their children to speak. These chilrden come to class as if the entire class is only for them to ramble on in their horrible English without correction or new learning.

I feel as if I'm treated as an English parrot who will simply pass on my English skills by being in the room and speaking English. My ability to teach is not considered.

I don't think the teachers in Korea are the problem. I don't think importing more and more teachers or better qualified teachers will make much of a difference. Koreans need to understand for themselves the methods of learning that are needed to learn a language rather than constantly sticking with their proven method of memorizing and repeating. These skills are great for math, engineering, mastering speed skating or creating great copies of original art.

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

I have to agree with Earthbound on this one. Much of the problem has to do with how Koreans learn English.

Koreans are as smart as anyone else. And people learn foreign languages all the time, many without the aid of a consistant or licenced teacher. One only has to look at general Koreans ability to answer vocabulary and grammar questions to know that if asked to, Koreans can learn English.

The problem is the methods and objectives of English education in Korea.

Of course, many Koreans do learn to speak English.

Those who do learn communicatively tend to be able to communicate. And, those who don't learn communicatively tend not to.

Those Koreans willing to learn communicatively do get results.

Why something this obvious seems to be lost on the majority of Koreans and Foreign English teachers is beyond me.