Korean Job Discussion Forums

[posco's trumpet]

[Paji eh Wong]

[posco's trumpet]

[rapier]

As far as the OP goes, I agree that the seoul traffic is out of control, the city lacks green areas, and air pollution is terrible.
But i think the subway system here is pretty cool.

Sooner or later korea will have to take the opinions of foreigners a whole lot more seriously if they are to become the hub of Asia. Japan got where it is today by closely emulating the west and western ideas, not ignoring foreigners.

[Ilsanman]

I think we should look at the bigger picture here.

Korea was devestated only 50 years ago, they were poverty stricken for many years, and eventually they built it back up to how it is now.

The price of building so fast is evident. The crumbling buildings, the pollution, etc.

They not only want to be the hub of Asia here, but also a great english speaking country, etc. They have big dreams. I don't wrong them for it.

They just need to be more patient I think. I am no visionary, but I think things will get better in Korea, not worse.

[posco's trumpet]

[On the other hand]

Posco:

That quote is completely out-of-context. The writer is calling for an END to the protectionist screen quota system, and is saying that all industries are as much of a threat to Korean culture as the quota's defenders CLAIM Hollywood is. The quote you posted is from an ad absurdum argument that the writer makes.

The writer is actually calling for Korea to be more OPEN to outside cultural influences. I find it hard to believe that you didn't realize this when you read the piece.

[Holyjoe]

[rapier]

Seoul subway definitely kicks the london underground out the window. No comparison.
I spent over a year in london. Tube strikes, delays, constant fire drills, plus of course the usual host of colorful drunken co- passengers was the norm.

[Holyjoe]

The best difference between the Seoul and London subways - air conditioning!

[Been Here Years]

After reading the article I "saw red". Below is the email I sent but ofcourse I don't hold out much hope that anyone will actually read it or do something about it.


I read your article "Seoul hears some biting foreign advice" with interest but wonder why you don't publish the other side of the coin.

As a teacher of adults for a number of years I would like to give you a few of the reasons that Korean adults do not speak English well.

l. They come late, leave early or are absent from class due to work comittments.

2. They do no homework or study. Reasons given are work and home comittments and being too tired.

3. They do not practice outside of class. Reasons range from no one to practice with (even though our teachers have offered to take phone calls on occasion to help them), embarrassment, lack of time or too tired.

4. When asked why they want to learn English most low level male students cite work related reasons but when asked do they want to study they invariably answer no. Quite a few students resent being "forced" to study English in order to obtain or keep a job and this resentment interferes with their ability to improve their level.

5. The inefficient method of English instruction in the school system produces children who have built in problems of grammar and pronunciation and who are so tired of "studying" English that they literally switch off. As they get older they become embarrassed at their long time as English students while being unable to speak or understand English.

If these problems were aired and adressed things might start to improve. To blame it on teachers who on the whole put their heart into teaching the adults who don't try in return, is most unfair.

As a teacher who really tries hard and puts in a lot of effort and out of hours assistance to my students I resent the broad brush of complaints.

[Medic]

I was talking to a Korean friend who owns a hogwon the other day, and he said that the majority of the students enrolled in the evening were only interested in the TOIEC classes. Very few students wanted to do conversation classes. Seems like a lot of jobs are more interested in an employees TOIEC score than their English speaking ability.
It's the B all and end all of everything here. It's no wonder people don't have a good English speaking ability. Why should they?

[rapier]

As a virtual island hermit nation that has relatively recently opened up, it strikes me as strange, that koreans don't want to learn English out of a curiosity, and wanting to connect with,explore the world outside of their own country.
If you were shut in a cupboard all your life, would you not want to explore the outside world as soon as the door was unlocked???

[schwa]

Posco wrote: "One example: did something stop Seoul from laying out green areas 50 years ago?"

I think this question shows the bias of someone born into a more prosperous society. Seoul certainly wasnt a 'planned' city. Given the destruction & desperation of the time, I'd think the last thing on anyones mind was preserving a nice place to take a stroll. When putting food on the table is a daily struggle, industry & commerce will always shove aside the luxury of parks.

It seems to me the current efforts to reclaim that paved-over river (forget the name) & to dedicate the soon-to-be relinquished US army base to recreational greenspace are worthy & ambitious undertakings. The big former dumpsite next to the soccer stadium too.

Creating retroactive greenspace is costly & difficult but am I wrong in seeing & applauding positive efforts in that direction? Seoul can afford some foresight now, but its gonna take time.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]