Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Students who just want to escape Korea
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Yu_Bum_suk



Joined: 25 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:11 pm    Post subject: Students who just want to escape Korea Reply with quote

Have you also had a few of these? Students who come to you privately talking about how much they hate high school life in Korea and how feasible it would be to move to another country? What do you tell them when you know there's probably no chance they could ever do it and they're likely stuck with this shit until they graduate? What do you tell a student who's been studying English for six years and still wouldn't be able to follow basic instructions in an American math or PE class, let alone English or social studies? Is it even worth showing them how much greener the grass potential looks on the other side of the ocean?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Easter Clark



Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tell them if they go to an American school, chances are they'll get shot.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Yu_Bum_suk



Joined: 25 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easter Clark wrote:
Tell them if they go to an American school, chances are they'll get shot.


That's so funny - when of the first questions this latest one had written down on a little sheet of paper was whether it was too dangerous.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jiyull



Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's not your problem and there is nothing you can do about it.
Just let them dream, I guess.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ramen



Joined: 15 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jiyull wrote:
It's not your problem and there is nothing you can do about it.
Just let them dream, I guess.


I don't feel sorry for them because that's how their mothers and fathers want it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bellum99



Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: don't need to know

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tell them it isn't that great because ,after all, you are here.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Yu_Bum_suk



Joined: 25 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bellum99 wrote:
Tell them it isn't that great because ,after all, you are here.


Funny because it's true.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
KoreanAmbition



Joined: 03 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think you should be 100% honest.

Tell them that their only hope is if they come to you daily for highly-priced 1-on-1 private tutoring.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
moosehead



Joined: 05 May 2007

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Students who just want to escape Korea Reply with quote

Yu_Bum_suk wrote:
Have you also had a few of these? Students who come to you privately talking about how much they hate high school life in Korea and how feasible it would be to move to another country? What do you tell them when you know there's probably no chance they could ever do it and they're likely stuck with this shit until they graduate? What do you tell a student who's been studying English for six years and still wouldn't be able to follow basic instructions in an American math or PE class, let alone English or social studies? Is it even worth showing them how much greener the grass potential looks on the other side of the ocean?



this post is really a surprise, I have to say. I've worked with so many students who were being prepped to go overseas - often alone - and have never ever had a student who actually expressed an interest in doing so on their own. I'm not saying they don't exist, just that I'm surprised to hear this.

Usually students feel a LOT of pressure from parents about going abroad and accept their situation but it never fails they are scared, worried and not really eager to leave their friends, family and school behind even when they are only going for a year or so.

I have on the other hand, met college age and post grads who wanted to go abroad to study in uni's and usually their E wasn't up to speed. In that situation, it's tough because I don't want to discourage them from their dreams but at the same time, one needs to be realistic.

I think the most, and best advice you can give in this situation is simply to emphasize the need for excellent English in order to succeed in a Westernized country. I've worked with MANY immigrants back home and the ones who have thick accents or trouble expressing themselves in E will be alienated, have trouble making friends (to improve their E) and invariably, be unhappy.

so be kind, be gentle and let them know wherever they decide to go, their E skills need to be up to par because it's a very competitive world out there.

hope this helps!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
wylies99



Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had students and adult Koreans tell me they want to leave Korea. what can I do? I won't marry anyone just so that they can leave this place.

Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jvalmer



Joined: 06 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had korean english teachers tell me that they wanted to go to Canada or the USA. I asked them what kind of job they expected to get, and they assumed that they could teach english... I don't think so, unless it's to Koreans and the money won't be as good.

It amazes me what kind of unrealistic expectations many Koreans have if they were to emigrate.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message