Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2008/02/137_18524.html

02-05-2008 14:22

[ef] Teaching in Korea

Dear editor,

I really don't think the people of Korea realize how much me and others enjoy teaching here. It's an honor, and we love learning more about your culture and values.

The work and experience is wonderful, and I believe we are successful with our task as teachers. Unfortunately there is one problem that stands between us and success; communication.

It is very difficult to communicate within our schools because of language problems. When you mail or phone the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, they ignore you or don't have time to talk on the telephone.

We are open for abuse, but the only answer you get is: ``Schools have their own rules and you must communicate with them. We don't interfere.''

When you do manage to talk within the school you get accused of not having respect for the culture and regulations of the school, and Korea. They put you on a guilt trip, and abuse you more.

This is all very sad, because we love our work, the culture and everything, but need to be recognized as teachers and adults as well. Some of us are older than 30 years old, with experience as teachers.

We can be better teachers and do more if we don't feel abused. Many teachers stay for a few months or one year, and just leave because of this. It is not good for teacher-student relationships, and students don't get the education they deserve.

I'm glad to say that not all schools have this negative and rude attitude toward English teachers. Many are very good for their teachers and treat them fair and with respect.

My question is: ``When will the government do something about this, and make sure the students off Korea get the best education they deserve?"

Tjaart Coetzee
Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province
[email protected]

[wylies99]

Someone with GEPIK should contact this teacher and offer to help.

[spliff]

I'm with GEPIK. I suggest the writer change "off" to "of".

[CentralCali]

And fix the grammatical errors.

[SeoulShakin]

While the idea of the letter was alright, it was pretty painful to read.

If you want to write a professional letter, and expect people to treat it as such, you should edit, proof, and check for how smoothly it reads.

[bejarano-korea]

His Afrikaner christian and surname suggests English is not his first language.

Thats what you get when you set teachers salaries low - you also set the bar low.

A grand a month is a crap wage in any teachers book.

But I'm sure a grand a month is a fortune to prospective English teachers in Mumbai!

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

That is one messed up letter. It sounds like it was written by a semi-bright junior high kid.

[boyne11]

[moosehead]

[KYC]

[Homer]

The intent is good but the letter needs a lot of work.

As it stands now it is not very convincing because of the poor quality of the sentences and the mistakes that stand out to the reader.

Fix it and it would make a good letter to the editor indeed.

[Smee]

If the Korea Times were normally any good I could say, in response to this letter, "Wow, looks like it's amateur hour over at the KT!" But it's not, so I won't.

[wylies99]

So, this person is a GEPIK teacher? Why would GEPIK hire someone lacking in English skills?

[spliff]

[wylies99]

Spliff, be nice. Maybe you can help the letter writer with their problems.