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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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mssinmymind
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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 Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject: Are you happy ? |
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Whether you've been in Korea for one day or 10 years, are you happy in the living/working situation you're currently in ?
What would you change (besides such things as more 'American' foods etc) about the way the ESL Teaching lifestyle ?
What type of 'lessons' could America or other foreign cultures take from the Koreans to improve their lifestyles, specifically in education ? |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: Are you happy ? |
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| mssinmymind wrote: |
| What type of 'lessons' could America or other foreign cultures take from the Koreans... |
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mssinmymind
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure I understand....did I ask a stupid question ?  |
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Kimbop
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Hey msmsmsinsmyind! Are you fourteen?? What's with all the silly threads?? |
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jkelly80
Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Location: you boys like mexico?
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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| In education? You think Korea has a good education system? That's really cute! |
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nomad-ish
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: On the bottom of the food chain
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: Are you happy ? |
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| mssinmymind wrote: |
Whether you've been in Korea for one day or 10 years, are you happy in the living/working situation you're currently in ?
What would you change (besides such things as more 'American' foods etc) about the way the ESL Teaching lifestyle ? |
there's too much emphasis on "fun" lessons here (i have a bit of ESL teaching experience in canada, and it definitely was not as fun-based as here). i can't tell you the number of times i've had co-teachers tell me to just "play a game" with the kids, they don't seem to realize that (1) i don't always have a new and exciting game to use at the drop of a hat, (2) if i were to play a game, first i need to teach some material to use in that game, (3) if there are only 2 bloody minutes left in class, no i'm not going to "play a game", it would take me 5 minutes just to explain it, the kids can relax or study quietly, and (4) playing a ton of games every day is not a good idea if you want the kids to learn english. yes, i'm well aware that games make kids want to learn english, but the constant pressure and demand for games every class is NOT educational. it just isn't.
if korea ever wants to catch up to its neighbours in english ability, they have to learn this.
| mssinmymind wrote: |
What type of 'lessons' could America or other foreign cultures take from the Koreans to improve their lifestyles, specifically in education ? |
absolutely nothing in education. harsh, but true. there's a reason why so many parents send their kids to hagwons, it's because the public education system in korea sucks big-time.
Last edited by nomad-ish on Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:28 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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ciccone_youth
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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I'm happy in Seoul.
I'm happy inside the classroom with the kids.
But I'm unhappy at my school with the supervisor. |
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mssinmymind
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Kimbop wrote: |
| Hey msmsmsinsmyind! Are you fourteen?? What's with all the silly threads?? |
No, seriously I am actually 38.
I posted these threads because I am a newbie and am trying to learn about teaching in foreign countries, especially interested in Korea.
| jkelly80 wrote: |
| In education? You think Korea has a good education system? That's really cute! |
That's why I asked, I didn't seriously know. I guess I was wrong to "assume" most asian countries are highly for education. Very wrong on my part.
| nomad-ish wrote: |
| there's too much emphasis on "fun" lessons here - i can't tell you the number of times i've had co-teachers tell me to just "play a game" with the kids - yes, i'm well aware that games make kids want to learn english, but the constant pressure and demand for games every class is NOT educational. |
Thanx nomad-ish, I had no idea the system was like that. I can imagine coiming up with 'fun' learning tools would be difficult after a bit of time. Is it the same way when teaching the older teens or adults ? Do they expect the class to be more fun than actual lessons ?
| ciccone_youth wrote: |
| But I'm unhappy at my school with the supervisor. |
Due to legal issues such as pay or benefits ? Or more personal or cultural differences ? Do you think it'll be something you can solve fairly easily ?
Please, anyone, feel free to tell me to shut it and stop asking so many questions ::ahemKimBopahem:  But sersiously though...I'm just trying to understand...the life, the culture etc... |
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ciccone_youth
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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For me it's about cultural differences, misunderstandings and the whole "last-minute surprises" and events we HAVE to attend even though they make it sounds optional.... all their antics.
But they always pay on time, and the benefits are great. However they gave us the most horrible apartment you could imagine. |
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sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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I'm generally quite happy personally, but unhappy and disappointed with money, economics, and business matters on a personal and national level in America. It's not a bad job situation I'm in right now, but it's not where I belong in the long term as I'm out of place and excluded due to not being Korean while my relationship with relatives becomes more and more nonexistent the longer I go. Money and resources have always been one struggle of a challenge for me that found me downright pissed off many times since I was a kid. And then you get punished with big debt for trying to improve yourself by getting an education for which no employer is willing to reward you for nor fully utilize your skills and abilities. I'm happy other than when it comes to how friggin hard money, economics, and career stuff really is in this day and age.
With enough money for the rest of my life, I'd be nothing less than golden. Money really is my main worry in life which is not an unusual probelm at all. I envy my brother in law, my best friend, for not having to worry as his rich banker dad put him in a career appraising real estate, paid his college education and living expenses for 5 years, paid off his mortage and car notes as a Christmas gift last year, and then he gets a cool $10 million as an inheritance. He's golden. Too bad he says there's no room in the market to sponsor me in to become a licensed real estate appraisal agent. I need a solid long term career that pays more than apples and oranges and peanuts. |
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mssinmymind
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| ciccone_youth wrote: |
For me it's about cultural differences, misunderstandings and the whole "last-minute surprises" and events we HAVE to attend even though they make it sounds optional.... all their antics.
But they always pay on time, and the benefits are great. However they gave us the most horrible apartment you could imagine. |
I think my biggest problem would be to speak (unexpectedly) at an event. I've read several mention they've had to give speeches when other teachers didn't have to. I can see myself in a class, as that would be my job...but to have to make up a speech out of no where would kill me.
I admit I am curious about the 'living' spaces the schools provide too. But I fear asking very many more questions could get me shot!  O0oo0oh to heck with it....Are you still living in the same apartment, or was a better situation offered ? |
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EzeWong
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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I'm very happy with everything,
Living conditions, Students, School, my friends, things to do, etc.
I try to enjoy small things here that I can't get in America (ie. Roti, Schizandra tea, PC bangs, SPAS, the scenery, buying clothes here [im asian so everything fits my build quite nicely], shopping, arcades, bars, clubs, alcochol, etc...)
Generally, I'm a pretty optimistic person, so if you are too: you shouldn't have any problem finding awsome things here.
It's not in your face exciting as Japan would be, it's really about going out and finding things to make it exciting. That in itself I enjoy.
Some things I miss from America is TV really, but they show law & order here so It's all good. |
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mssinmymind
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
| I'm generally quite happy personally, but unhappy and disappointed with money, economics, and business matters on a personal and national level in America. Money really is my main worry in life which is not an unusual probelm at all. I need a solid long term career that pays more than apples and oranges and peanuts. |
Wow I think many can understand the problems with our financial situations...However, I think I differ from you in the fact that I feel I "don't" need alot of money to live a full and rewarding life. No..I'm not saying I would turn down that $10 million inheritance..but, I think those apples and oranges can turn out to be a better, more cultured way of life if you take them in a more positive way. Does that make sense ? I see teaching like this as an experience, a way to travel, to seek more culture or different culture, a chance to learn about other worlds besides the little bubble I live in. To me, those type of 'benefits' would well be worth more than a six figure job where I sit around bored off my ass all day.
To each his own..I hope things work out for you. |
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Janny
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Location: all over the place
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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Once I got placed in a great apartment, my happiness shot way up. I would say I'm VERY happy now. But it took several years to get to happy.
I still struggle with Korean lack of organization and logic. They don't seem to understand 'anticipatory action' in planning, nor do they honor contracts. You still get lied to, right to your face.
And I hate it when they laugh when I try to speak Korean. Or English. They laugh out of nervousness but I always take it personally. Trying to work on that. |
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mssinmymind
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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| EzeWong wrote: |
| Some things I miss from America is TV really, but they show law & order here so It's all good. |
Oh geez, I was hoping to get rid of that show once and for all haha  seems like everyone around where I live here watch it. |
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