Korean Job Discussion Forums

maddog · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Location: Daegu

I've got two months left here in Daegu. By then, I'll have done two years in Korea - one in Seoul and one in Daegu.

I was thinking of going back to Vietnam. Quite frankly, I am tired of all the money-grubbing here. I work in a hagwon, and education means ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING. It's all about appearances and money. Parents want more homework; give more homework. Parents want more essays; give more essays. Parents want meticulous grading of essays (even though they get chucked straight in the bin); every essay must be graded meticulously.

Of all the complaints I, or any of my colleagues, have ever received, none have been about my standard of teaching. All the complaints I've ever recieved relate to fluff - the amount of homework given, the amount of red ink on an essay, the amount of tests given, etc. It really is a case of double standards. The material produced by the company (I work for a large chain) sucks. Students are placed into certain levels depending on their ability to memorize vocabulary - I've had students who could barely read (I *beep* you not) placed into high level writing classes because of how well they did on a vocabulary test.

The whole thing makes me sick. It's got nothing to do with education, and everything to do with extracting as much money as possible from the parents.

Anyway, back to point. I was looking at the Vietnam board to check out the scene. However, it seems to be worse there than it is here. Vietnamese English schools seem to be even more dishonest than hagwons! I see numerous stoires of people not being paid or getting fired without notice. Dishonesty seems to be viewed as some kind of virtue by employers.

I am starting to get the feeling that the entire ESL/EFL industry, in Asia at least, is rotten to the core.

Please discuss.

MD

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

Public schools are your friend.....seriously, what did you expect?

To be fair, the students in my class who go to hagwons are pretty good at speaking English. And in the west, we'd stick'em in daycares so at least they're learning something.

travelingfool · Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Location: Parents' basement

EFL in Asia has been bastardized far beyond the point of redemption and has nothing to do with education. You simply cannot take it seriously lest you lose your mind. Money and appearance are all that matter. Corruption is the standard not the exception. It is what it is and there ain't nothing we can do about it except do our jobs the best we can. I have completely divested myself of the success or failure of my students because frankly most of the time they just don't care, so why should I? I have a take it or leave it approach. It's all a big game and most of the time an even bigger joke. Sorry to sound so negative, but I have worked in three Asian countries and it was the same in all of them.

maddog · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Location: Daegu

I've recently received a few emails from recruiters in the UAE. I wonder if things would be any better there.

I was thinking that, if anything, it'll be an experience. A mate of mine was a bar manager out there for a year, and he loved it. I'd previously written it off, but you only live once. It'd be a shame to think that Korea is the be all and end all. We all know it isn't. It's just relatively comfortable. So we put up with all manner of annoyances and tell ourselves to 'grow a pair' when we get pissed off.

MD

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I'm a little confused. Homework, essays and corrected essays have nothing to do with education? It looks to me like you are saying parents want their kids challenged and given demanding work.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Korean parents are CLUELESS.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

OP, only 100% edutainers are told that they are doing a good job.

Join Me · Joined: 14 Jan 2008

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

jangsalgida · Joined: 11 Jan 2006

maddog · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Location: Daegu

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I would say many people throughout Asia, and most of the world I suppose, are corrupt. The English business is no exception. The root of all evil consumes large numbers.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Get out of the business side of ESL/EFL and get a job at a public school, university, or teach adults. There are still problems, but in my experience they're not as bad.

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

If it is, so are we.

Well, it works like a slide rule doesn't it; if you feel that you are being corrupted, then probably are, if you feel your income doesn't match the output, then probably are, if you feel someone is getting a large slice from your work, then probably is ...