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shifter2009
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Location: wisconsin
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 Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject: Culture here, a one way street? |
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| So I just got my butt chewed for telling a uper level student that there homework was garbage and need to study harder after being told I need to scold the students very strongly about their homework. Seems the big source of conflict on this one is when she said "garbage?" I said "Yeah, shraygee, garbage." I was accused of using bad words. This is hot off the heels of last week being accused of using bad words for telling a kid that they'd sound crazy telling people that video games were poisonious or toxic in Amerca. Her sentenced said something to the effect that her friend had been video game poisoned. (this came after a long arguement that just because thats the word in Korean she'd use doesn't mean it works the same way in English, I tried to get her to use unhealthy and some others) Which sparked another bad word discussion which I was informed I have to understand Korean culture. I had been asked if I was using bad words before in class and was mystified as I go to great pains to avoid using anything questionable, the furthest I go is probably some Jesuses when geez just isn't enough. Apparently there is no give for the idea that these words aren't the same always in English and I have to now kinda guess as now Korean culture gets to pick the bad words in English. I am considering giving them a lesson in American culture by quiting and going to a public school and letting them all rot. Maybe another country entirely.... |
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Pooty
Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Location: Ela stin agalia mou
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Just laugh and say "cultural misunderstanding" and walk away. |
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Stevie_B
Joined: 14 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: Culture here, a one way street? |
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| shifter2009 wrote: |
| So I just got my butt chewed for telling a uper level student that there homework was garbage and need to study harder after being told I need to scold the students very strongly about their homework. Seems the big source of conflict on this one is when she said "garbage?" I said "Yeah, shraygee, garbage." I was accused of using bad words. This is hot off the heels of last week being accused of using bad words for telling a kid that they'd sound crazy telling people that video games were poisonious or toxic in Amerca. Her sentenced said something to the effect that her friend had been video game poisoned. (this came after a long arguement that just because thats the word in Korean she'd use doesn't mean it works the same way in English, I tried to get her to use unhealthy and some others) Which sparked another bad word discussion which I was informed I have to understand Korean culture. I had been asked if I was using bad words before in class and was mystified as I go to great pains to avoid using anything questionable, the furthest I go is probably some Jesuses when geez just isn't enough. Apparently there is no give for the idea that these words aren't the same always in English and I have to now kinda guess as now Korean culture gets to pick the bad words in English. I am considering giving them a lesson in American culture by quiting and going to a public school and letting them all rot. Maybe another country entirely.... |
I am afraid I don't have the patience to read this. Apart from the opening 'So' (this is NOT Friends and you have NOT just plonked yourself down on the sofa at Central Perk), there are no paragraphs. I appreciate that you might be rattled or raging, but still, please do try to rant coherently. |
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sjrm
Joined: 27 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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| ask them if they like kimchi, how old they are, and if koren food is too spicy for them. after that, i think it'll all get better from there. |
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afsjesse
Joined: 23 Sep 2007
Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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I'm alway's accused of swearing in class by the student's even when I don't. In the end nothing happens. 63 day's and i'm out of hagwon hell  |
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billybrobby
Joined: 09 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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| It's true that cultural understanding requires some meeting in the middle rather than being a one-way street. But since they're paying you, I guess you'll have to watch out for their precious precious feelings more than they have to watch out for yours, unless they need you real bad. |
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shifter2009
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Location: wisconsin
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: Culture here, a one way street? |
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| Stevie_B wrote: |
| shifter2009 wrote: |
| So I just got my butt chewed for telling a uper level student that there homework was garbage and need to study harder after being told I need to scold the students very strongly about their homework. Seems the big source of conflict on this one is when she said "garbage?" I said "Yeah, shraygee, garbage." I was accused of using bad words. This is hot off the heels of last week being accused of using bad words for telling a kid that they'd sound crazy telling people that video games were poisonious or toxic in Amerca. Her sentenced said something to the effect that her friend had been video game poisoned. (this came after a long arguement that just because thats the word in Korean she'd use doesn't mean it works the same way in English, I tried to get her to use unhealthy and some others) Which sparked another bad word discussion which I was informed I have to understand Korean culture. I had been asked if I was using bad words before in class and was mystified as I go to great pains to avoid using anything questionable, the furthest I go is probably some Jesuses when geez just isn't enough. Apparently there is no give for the idea that these words aren't the same always in English and I have to now kinda guess as now Korean culture gets to pick the bad words in English. I am considering giving them a lesson in American culture by quiting and going to a public school and letting them all rot. Maybe another country entirely.... |
I am afraid I don't have the patience to read this. Apart from the opening 'So' (this is NOT Friends and you have NOT just plonked yourself down on the sofa at Central Perk), there are no paragraphs. I appreciate that you might be rattled or raging, but still, please do try to rant coherently. |
You haven't got the time to read but you got the time to complain. Wicked. |
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Stevie_B
Joined: 14 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: Culture here, a one way street? |
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| shifter2009 wrote: |
| Stevie_B wrote: |
| shifter2009 wrote: |
| So I just got my butt chewed for telling a uper level student that there homework was garbage and need to study harder after being told I need to scold the students very strongly about their homework. Seems the big source of conflict on this one is when she said "garbage?" I said "Yeah, shraygee, garbage." I was accused of using bad words. This is hot off the heels of last week being accused of using bad words for telling a kid that they'd sound crazy telling people that video games were poisonious or toxic in Amerca. Her sentenced said something to the effect that her friend had been video game poisoned. (this came after a long arguement that just because thats the word in Korean she'd use doesn't mean it works the same way in English, I tried to get her to use unhealthy and some others) Which sparked another bad word discussion which I was informed I have to understand Korean culture. I had been asked if I was using bad words before in class and was mystified as I go to great pains to avoid using anything questionable, the furthest I go is probably some Jesuses when geez just isn't enough. Apparently there is no give for the idea that these words aren't the same always in English and I have to now kinda guess as now Korean culture gets to pick the bad words in English. I am considering giving them a lesson in American culture by quiting and going to a public school and letting them all rot. Maybe another country entirely.... |
I am afraid I don't have the patience to read this. Apart from the opening 'So' (this is NOT Friends and you have NOT just plonked yourself down on the sofa at Central Perk), there are no paragraphs. I appreciate that you might be rattled or raging, but still, please do try to rant coherently. |
You haven't got the time to read but you got the time to complain. Wicked. |
Ironic, isn't it? |
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The Grumpy Senator
Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Location: Up and down the 6 line
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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Would you want you boss to tell you that you need to work on improving your grammar lessons or just tell you it is garbage?
Her sentence said something to the effect that, "her friend had been video game-poisoned." I think this is a very good sentence.
The word crazy (babo) is used to refer to someone who is idiotic, foolish, or brainless. Koreans do not see the lighter side of the term. You are in Korea, you need to bend a little and find terms and expressions that do not ruffle feathers here. |
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victorology
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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| The Grumpy Senator wrote: |
Would you want you boss to tell you that you need to work on improving your grammar lessons or just tell you it is garbage?
Her sentence said something to the effect that, "her friend had been video game-poisoned." I think this is a very good sentence.
The word crazy (babo) is used to refer to someone who is idiotic, foolish, or brainless. Koreans do not see the lighter side of the term. You are in Korea, you need to bend a little and find terms and expressions that do not ruffle feathers here. |
I think crazy translates to 미친 (michin) or 미첬다 (michutda). I can see how it's not the best choice of words. |
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samd
Joined: 03 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: Culture here, a one way street? |
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| Stevie_B wrote: |
| shifter2009 wrote: |
| So I just got my butt chewed for telling a uper level student that there homework was garbage and need to study harder after being told I need to scold the students very strongly about their homework. Seems the big source of conflict on this one is when she said "garbage?" I said "Yeah, shraygee, garbage." I was accused of using bad words. This is hot off the heels of last week being accused of using bad words for telling a kid that they'd sound crazy telling people that video games were poisonious or toxic in Amerca. Her sentenced said something to the effect that her friend had been video game poisoned. (this came after a long arguement that just because thats the word in Korean she'd use doesn't mean it works the same way in English, I tried to get her to use unhealthy and some others) Which sparked another bad word discussion which I was informed I have to understand Korean culture. I had been asked if I was using bad words before in class and was mystified as I go to great pains to avoid using anything questionable, the furthest I go is probably some Jesuses when geez just isn't enough. Apparently there is no give for the idea that these words aren't the same always in English and I have to now kinda guess as now Korean culture gets to pick the bad words in English. I am considering giving them a lesson in American culture by quiting and going to a public school and letting them all rot. Maybe another country entirely.... |
I am afraid I don't have the patience to read this. Apart from the opening 'So' (this is NOT Friends and you have NOT just plonked yourself down on the sofa at Central Perk), there are no paragraphs. I appreciate that you might be rattled or raging, but still, please do try to rant coherently. |
Yes, paragraphs are your friends. |
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ESL Milk "Everyday
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:30 am Post subject: |
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| The Grumpy Senator wrote: |
| The word crazy (babo) is used to refer to someone who is idiotic, foolish, or brainless. Koreans do not see the lighter side of the term. You are in Korea, you need to bend a little and find terms and expressions that do not ruffle feathers here. |
No, that's completely wrong. When a student called me 'babo' and I punished her I was wrong because it was explained to me that Koreans do not call each other babo in a serious way.
The problem is that Koreans think they understand their own culture perfectly and they don't. Since they completely refuse to admit that it's anything less than perfect, and are never critical of themselves, they never actually learn anything about anything. In fact, most Koreans aren't critical of anything-- they just repeat what other people tell them.
It's all just pointless rote memorization of the 'facts' of their culture, and it never goes anywhere or means anything. The emotional connection they have to it is false, a product of extensive social conditioning. Really, the foreigners here have a much more accurate sense of what their culture is really about-- because they have a more critical perspective being outside of it.
Actually, most Koreans are completely clueless when it comes to any culture. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:14 am Post subject: |
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| The Grumpy Senator wrote: |
| Her sentence said something to the effect that, "her friend had been video game-poisoned." I think this is a very good sentence. |
Grammatically maybe. It's meaning doesn't make any sense to me, though.
| ESL Milk "Everyday wrote: |
| When a student called me 'babo' and I punished her I was wrong because it was explained to me that Koreans do not call each other babo in a serious way. |
Doesn't matter how much they are kidding, a student calling a teacher a babo is a no-no. |
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goo_stewart
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:15 am Post subject: |
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OP were you the only native speaker involved? If yes, then just tell them they are wrong because your command of English should be better than theirs. Our language is full of subtleties and the students and whoever was taking this complaint seriously obviously doesn't know. Just tell them they are wrong.
Garbage, crazy and a whole assortment of words can be bad or just descriptive. Depends how you use them, your body language and a the context. Tell anyone complaining that they are wrong. Simple. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:34 am Post subject: |
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| goo_stewart wrote: |
OP were you the only native speaker involved? If yes, then just tell them they are wrong because your command of English should be better than theirs. Our language is full of subtleties and the students and whoever was taking this complaint seriously obviously doesn't know. Just tell them they are wrong.
Garbage, crazy and a whole assortment of words can be bad or just descriptive. Depends how you use them, your body language and a the context. Tell anyone complaining that they are wrong. Simple. |
Teach them the words "cultural relativism". What is bad in one language/culture is not necessarily bad in another.
Oooh... 18, 18, 18... I'm so offended. |
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