Korean Job Discussion Forums

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

I had a few teachers that sit near me ask why I don't talk to them very much. I explained to my co-teacher that since my Korean conversational skills are quite limited and the other teachers never speak to me in English, I don't say anything. They assumed that I understand about 80-90% of Korean and found me rude since I "understand" but never talk to them. On the contrary, I understand about 5%, if I listen very closely. Most of the time I don't even care what they talk about becuase it's usually some kind of gossip.

My co-teacher said that usually foreign teachers talk a lot at their public school, but I find that hard to believe unless their Korean is quite good or the teachers speak English.

I realize that this kind of isolation is to be expected at a public school, but I'm curious how many of you actually socialize and talk to your coworkers (non English teachers) about non-teaching topics.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

I talk to the ones that know English. Some people have not looked even looked at me before. Most of them are nice to me.

I found out a couple of them speak English but have never talked to me before.

Even when you work in an English speaking country some people never talk to each other at work. People can be shy and throw in a language barrier on top of that and you are quite isolated.

I just keep to myself and they sometimes think that I am being rude. It would take me years to learn enough Korean to talk to them and I won't be here for years.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I'm vegetarian and don't drink at all so I've had an excuse to avoid a lot of contacts.

However, I've often brought in fruit and snacks to share with Korean teachers, and I always show at least non-verbal respect - especially to the principal.

There are at least half-a-dozen Korean teachers at my high school that communicate pretty well in English, and I usually exchange some friendly banter if there's any time for it.

I've found that even those with limited English skills appreciate my attempts at humor using my limited Korean vocabulary mixed with simple English (or Konglish.)

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

I also don't drink and I am a vego as well. That also makes things difficult.

sojourner1 · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:47 am Post subject:

No, this is a culture far removed from my understanding of interaction and relationship as a white dude from the West just wouldn't have much in common with people in Asia. It's just very basic talking, but you don't connect on a personal level and develop special close friendships or anything like that. You'd have to be a Korean to really socialize and make friends otherwise it's just bland basic talk. You simple can not integrate as a functioning whole member, but really just a guest or visitor is all you are despite your ambitions to immerse yourself in another culture though you might be good at teaching how to have a sense of humor and get a few good laughs. That's it, don't expect to have a social life that means much.

It is indeed a very isolating position to put yourself in, but that's the life of a single dude teaching English in Korea who isn't around other Western dudes and dudettes. You really need an expat community to be a part of.

I_Am_The_Kiwi · Joined: 10 Jun 2008

apart from my coteacher i hardly speak to anyone.

Someone times the VP cos he speaks english. A few of the other english teachers i will have a short conversation with but thats about it.

I greet everyone in my office etc and am nice to them - but they dont speak english, i dont speak korean so its kinda not going anywhere. Only 2 people in my office speak english and one is my coteacher.

Doesnt bother me, im busy enough as it is anyways without having to make broken conversation with various people everyday that i dont really care about.

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

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

I learned that talking to the female teachers was dangerous, because if I talk to teacher A but not teacher B then I'm obviously hitting on teacher A...or at least showing disrespect to teacher B--especially if they're single. So female teachers rarely get more than a nod and a "Hello" from me.

Aside from that, I usually talk to quite a few teachers, other than my English co-teachers. We sit together at lunch and when they go smoke afterwards I hang around and practice my Korean. They want to practice their English too, so it's good for everyone. Sometimes if they're engaged in a serious conversation, I just sit quietly and work on my listening. There are days that I skip the after-lunch social circle, though. Like when I have a class immediately after lunch and have to prepare.

bobranger · Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Location: masan

Being friendly with co-workers 95% of the time turns out bad. This bunch sounds catty. Stay away from thier drama.

Faunaki · Joined: 15 Jun 2007

My suggestion to the OP is to become more friendly with your co-teachers. Last year, I wasn't involved with many people at school - I at my own lunch, didn't join any groups, ect. Going to work just kind of sucked.

This sememster I eat school lunch, have joined a dance club, catch rides from people, go to concerts, whatever and I feel much better about work. There are people to talk to - even if it's just hi, are you hungry, yes, this is delicious, yes - and hang out with. Makes a huge difference.

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

I'm pretty friendly and have been told quite popular among the Korean teachers at my school.

that said, I don't go out of my way to socialize beyond the perfunctory pleasantries. The language barrier is of course a big issue.

but if anyone talks to me, or wants to talk to me, I'm more than happy to converse. The people who speak the best English happen to be my coordinator, who is also one of my Korean co teachers and the VP.

I like to joke around with them, and we talk but the conversations aren't particularly in depth (though I've had some good ones with VP)

poet13 · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject:

I avoid going out to dinners with the teachers because it's always communal pot food, and the idea of sharing spit and germs with them makes me want to puke. Other than that, I have a fairly good relationship with the teachers here.

JJJ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Location: Seoul

I'm doing better this year since my school is so low and we (many teachers) chat about the different classes a lot and compare the worst classes and students. It's a nice feeling to know that I am not the only one on this sinking boat.

However, one thing I learned from my other school is never, ever talk about personal things like significant others, what you did on the weekend, people you hate, your future plans, etc. Everyone will know about it in the next day or two. Public school are gossip gold mines.

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

I give the standard morning greetings (in English because that's how the other workers greet me) and I smile a lot. My co-teachers have said that the other workers think I seem very sweet and friendly and they wish they could speak more English to get to know me. That being said, my teachers' office has a nice atmosphere and almost everyone seems to be on pretty cheerful terms.

I go to the dinners if I can make it but I don't really socialize with them outside of school. I AM friends with one of them on cyworld, so sometimes, we comment on each other's pictures. Overall, it's a pleasant acquaintance kind of relationship. None of us are bending over backwards to get to know each other, and that's fine with me.