Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smithstar_2]

I'm applying to work for the Seoul Public board, and I'm having a lot of trouble with the essay. Since I'm a new teacher, I don't have much of a teaching philosophy - I'm just going to see what works as I go along and adjust accordingly. This is what they are looking for:

"Please provide your educational philosophy of teaching young learners, and express thoughts on encountering with cultural differences."

What I've written so far is (and I have no idea if this is what they are looking for, I'm being pretty honest with what I'm writing):

My teaching philosophy for young learners is that they spend a lot of time talking. I plan to use the texts in a way that makes students have fun and like to learn English. I would try to make them realize how useful knowing English can be, for young learners maybe it is easier to show them that they can understand the lyrics to popular western songs, or watch English television. With older children or high school age teenagers, it will be easy to show them how English can benefit them in their lives, especially in the workplace. I plan to make class as fun as possible so that the children really want to learn � learning a language shouldn�t have to be boring. I have taken classes for three different languages, and having gone through the difficulties of boring classes and teachers who won�t answer questions, I think that I am capable of tailoring my classes to avoid those problems. My goal is to have the children talk as much as possible, using repetition, games, and flash cards to ensure that they have absorbed the target language each class. Review of the previous lesson at the beginning of every class is also important. In order to build upon language, the children should become as comfortable as possible with simple terms and grammar concepts so that they have a strong base in the language. Discipline in the classroom will depend upon the individual students, but I believe that rewarding good behavior and discouraging bad behavior with loss of game time or timeouts should encourage students to behave. Rewards for good behavior should include game time at the end of the class � games that would incorporate the language learned in class that day. I love children, and I believe that every individual can learn to speak English with confidence.
There are many cultural differences between Canada and Korea, and at times I may encounter difficulties. I hope to avoid most of them by being as considerate as possible and approaching my stay in Korea with an open mind, and the understanding that my customs are the strange ones here, so I should try to accommodate my host country by doing my best to understand and take part in the culture. Learning the Korean language is another interesting challenge that I would love to undertake, and being able to speak with Koreans in their native language will allow me to better understand this rich culture.

If anyone has the time to take a look at this I would really appreciate any constructive criticism - I especially would like some help on my cultural differences paragraph! Thanks a lot.

[JJJ]

Wow, they make you write an essay?? Huh, I just sent in my documents and they called me back 24 hours later. Anywho, I would say your essay is fine, don't sweat it. I would say they "might" take a glance at it but they won't spend time reading every single essay that comes on their desk. They have so many other documents to confirm and go over.

No worries, you'll be fine.

[bassexpander]

A few notes to spice up your application, and make it more Korea-friendly:



Ever since I was a child, I've loved Kimchi. It's as if I can't get enough of it...

I'm a very non-sexual person, and am appalled by recent events involving the perverted teacher who ran to Thailand. I don't believe in sex, and have no interest in Korean women sexually. I don't even like dating them, and will only talk to them if they wish to practice English for a minute or two. I just like to keep to myself. I think it's rude to even look at a Korean woman, because it might cause her boyfriend to become unhappy. I don't like to make others unhappy....

I think American meat will cause mad cow. I've known this for years, and am finally glad to live in a country where others believe what I do...

For many years, I've been concerned about the plight of the Korean people, and how the rest of the world does nothing but take advantage of them. I thought it would be a kind thing to come here and do what I can to "give back" when Koreans have given the world so much, and received so little in return for all of their work.

[dtown]

You may try editing it a little bit? Depending on whether a Korean or a Native English speaker is the one reading it, your essay may not matter all that much. From an American standpoint, I have to be honest with you, I would not hire you to teach English with this essay. Seriously, not trying to be mean and it honestly might be perfectly fine.

Some things off the top of my head.

1.) Your first sentence. It really does not have to do with anything? If you want to use the fact that you feel young children talk a lot you need to provide supporting statements and how you will utilize this fact in your teaching methods. Your subsequent sentences have nothing to do with your first. You need to find a different word than philosophy or change the sentence. 'Children learn better when provided an interesting and exciting learning environment' is a teaching philosophy, 'Young learners spend a lot of time talking' is not.

2.) The main focus of the essay? What is it? I guess what I am trying to get at is, from reading the opening sentence I get the feeling your essay will be about you utilizing the fact that children talk a lot and incorporating that into your teaching plan. To me, your focus is more about making the lessons interesting to keep the kids focused? If that is what you are really getting at you should make that clear as soon as possible.

3.) You tend to make statements then not 'back them up' so to speak. Like saying you will show high schoolers how English will benefit them, like in the work place. You never explain why English is beneficial or how you will explain this. In another sentence you claim you can tailor your classes so they aren't boring but don't really explain how this will be done. Do you have concrete ideas on how to teach young children and keep them interested?

4.) This brings me to the overall problem I have with the essay. It really lacks organization and focus. I hate to be like this, but I think if you are really concerned about the essay you should try to organize your thoughts a little bit. This sounds kindergarten-like but make a list or web of all the things you feel are important and what you will incorporate in your lesson plan. Categorize. If you choose to have your essay 'based' on the fact that kids talk a lot be sure to incorporate this in all the different teaching aspects. If I were you I would more gear it towards making learning fun, which you seemed to focus more on than the talking issue. You talk about things like review, discipline and teaching the fundamentals of the language perhaps expand on these 3 things more and make them each their individual paragraph?

5.) There a minor issues grammatically. Certain words sound awkward in the context in which you are using them. Also, technically you shouldn't use contractions in a formal piece. Whether or not this essay should be considered so formal that you can't use them? I don't know.

6.) Don't be humble. Essays like this are meant to put yourself out there as the best possible candidate. Saying things like 'I think I will be able' and 'this should do' make you come off as unsure. Sell yourself. 'My lesson plans will use current topics that are interesting to the students and will hold their attention'. etc.

7.) Avoid negativity. The essay asked about cultural differences and you immediately brought up cultural difficulties. It is important to acknowledge that it might be difficult but don't use it as your opening sentence. Perhaps start out with a quip about a cultural difference you have already encountered in your homeland and how you reacted or why you enjoy diversity/different cultures? Perhaps state why you chose Korea, if it has anything to do with you being curious about Korean culture?


lol, again, I am sorry to be so harsh. This is me thinking at a university level of writing. To be honest I doubt the recruiters care that much. I think there are too many positions to be filled in Korea so they probably won't care too much about this essay. I am a little worried that you might get to Korea and be in way over your head! Get some books on teaching K-12 level or read psychology books on learning. Also, perhaps a book on Korean culture? Asian countries tend to have a little bit different philosophies when it comes to learning so it is important to understand these (not necessarily use them) before coming to Korea. Hope this helps. Best of luck!

[Bibbitybop]

Good essay, they will like you.

BE has some good points, too. You might want to add you don't like the current Korean president.

[Ramen]

[DJTwoTone]

Just copy and past something from the web... It's not like they are going to read it anyway...

[mrsquirrel]

Here is what to do.

type in www.google.com

then

search for - teaching philosphy/ teaching statements / teaching profiles

highlight some of the text with your mouse by holding down the left mouse button.

then

press ctrl + c to copy it.

go to your word processor of choise

press ctrl + v to paste it.

Reread it to check and see if there are any personal details of the author there that you need to replace with your own.

print it out and there you go a personal essay.

[Otherside]

[mochilover]

as long as you can write an essay, you're fine!

[Smithstar_2]

Guys, thanks for the quick replies.

Dtown, I really appreciate the time you put into looking at my essay. I used a lot of your recommendations and I feel a lot better about it now. I don't think it was harsh, your criticisms really were constructive and you were just being honest. Don't worry about me though, I'm planning on doing a lot of educational reading this summer - and also getting some good advice from my mom, she's been an English teacher for many years so I might steal some of her lesson plans, too

Everyone else, it makes me feel better knowing that they aren't going to be totally scrutinizing the essay. I also loved the hilarious comments - but I still don't understand the obsession with mad cow disease...