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Teabonesteak
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
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 Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:37 am Post subject: One step closer to failure... |
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My boss decided to implement the use of new books. He came to this decision yesterday and he plans to make us start using them at the end of next week. He decided that the books we are using (which are good, well organized books) are costing to much money and decided to use the "Franchise" books instead. Here is where it gets tricky.
The franchise name which is "Wales Language School" was started by a man whose name I don't know. I've seen the original Wales cirriculum books and they don't seem half bad; teachable at least. WELL, the original owner of the franchise sold it to another man named KANG TAE WOO. This man has decided to cancel the use of the pre-existing franchise books, which are good enough, to a different brand called "IVE-Lish" Publishing company. The name of the book series is called WEEGO and after taking a look at the material inside I was extremely disappointed that the English words didn't match the pictures and everything was scattered all about the page and there is no context for which the students can begin to understand what they are looking at.
One top of this he decided to fire one of our korean teachers to save money. This means that in addition to already being short staffed the school is not making a profit and the boss has resorted to desperation moves. Even worse, the principal who communicates to the boss for me is a spineless yes man. When I said today that the school closing is emminant and that we (him and I) should prepare for the worse he said in a whiny kid voice "Ohhhhh don't saaay thaaat!"
I gotta escape but they are not going to let me quit. I could use a little advice on how to prepare for the worse when it happens. Hearing other peoples experience could really help me in this time of need. |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:19 am Post subject: |
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| When I said today that the school closing is emminant and that we (him and I) should prepare for the worse |
dude I hate to be the spelling police, etc, but do you seriously have a degree, and if so, in what and from where?
and there's world of difference in eminent (for e.g. you are seeking help from some of the eminent posters on this board)
and imminent - as in the imminent fall in your reputation as an English teacher once someone reads your post.
worse, I would have otherwise dismissed as fat fingers/typo, but in your case I'd bet the other way.
maybe I'm being too harsh as typically I don't focus on spelling/word mistakes but something about yours really drew my attention.
Last edited by bogey666 on Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:27 am; edited 3 times in total |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:20 am Post subject: |
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the first thing you should do is stop discussing these things w/the go-to person who speaks to the boss.
eyes open, ears open, mouth closed. be aware and take note.
then come back to Dave's and spill your guts  |
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bobbybigfoot
Joined: 05 May 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:49 am Post subject: |
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[quote="bogey666"]
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dude I hate to be the spelling police, etc, but do you seriously have a degree, and if so, in what and from where? |
I was thinking the same thing.
Plus it's not him and I, it's he and I.
Maybe the books your boss wants to use are actually good books; it's just the words look jumbled because you are unfamiliar with proper English.
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Teabonesteak
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:59 am Post subject: |
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| bogey666 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| When I said today that the school closing is emminant and that we (him and I) should prepare for the worse |
dude I hate to be the spelling police, etc, but do you seriously have a degree, and if so, in what and from where?
and there's world of difference in eminent (for e.g. you are seeking help from some of the eminent posters on this board)
and imminent - as in the imminent fall in your reputation as an English teacher once someone reads your post.
worse, I would have otherwise dismissed as fat fingers/typo, but in your case I'd bet the other way.
maybe I'm being too harsh as typically I don't focus on spelling/word mistakes but something about yours really drew my attention. |
"maybe I'm being too harsh as typically I don't focus on spelling/word mistakes but something about yours really drew my attention"
Maybe it's the smug satisfaction you get from behind your keyboard when putting someone down because of a misspelled word. I guess it's a habit you develop from spending all day in this forum commenting on Susan Boyle and Hugh Jackman threads (I took a peek at your profile). Are you trying to cast a shadow of doubt on my abilities as an English teacher and give people some sense that maybe I deserve to be in such a rotten predicament?
So I guess you have no advice pertaining to my job situation or the course of action I should take. |
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bobbybigfoot
Joined: 05 May 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:34 am Post subject: |
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| Teabonesteak wrote: |
| bogey666 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| When I said today that the school closing is emminant and that we (him and I) should prepare for the worse |
dude I hate to be the spelling police, etc, but do you seriously have a degree, and if so, in what and from where?
and there's world of difference in eminent (for e.g. you are seeking help from some of the eminent posters on this board)
and imminent - as in the imminent fall in your reputation as an English teacher once someone reads your post.
worse, I would have otherwise dismissed as fat fingers/typo, but in your case I'd bet the other way.
maybe I'm being too harsh as typically I don't focus on spelling/word mistakes but something about yours really drew my attention. |
"maybe I'm being too harsh as typically I don't focus on spelling/word mistakes but something about yours really drew my attention"
Maybe it's the smug satisfaction you get from behind your keyboard when putting someone down because of a misspelled word. I guess it's a habit you develop from spending all day in this forum commenting on Susan Boyle and Hugh Jackman threads (I took a peek at your profile). Are you trying to cast a shadow of doubt on my abilities as an English teacher and give people some sense that maybe I deserve to be in such a rotten predicament?
So I guess you have no advice pertaining to my job situation or the course of action I should take. |
Sorry OP. We're being douches.
There's really nothing new that can be said. Korea's educational system is not known for quality. Just today I found myself getting frustrated at the backwards system I have to work within. Nobody seems to care. Not management, not Korean teachers, not students, not foreign teachers. Your boss is doing what everyone else does in this country: cut corners to save a buck. You may be on a sinking ship; you may not be. Depending how deep into your contract you are, you may want to give notice and find another job. Or stick it out and grin and bear it, like most of us do here.
K-land is a f***** up country. One day you love it. The next day you hate it. But you'll never understand it.
Good luck and forgive our doucheness. |
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Joe666
Joined: 19 Nov 2008
Location: Jesus it's hot down here!
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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bobbybigfoot - Exactly what he said!
There is probably no definitive way to really know! About anything, if you want my opinion. I have not been in this country very long and I am pretty f-ing far from an expert, but this I do know!
Take it away Mr. bobbybigfoot:
K-land is a f***** up country. One day you love it. The next day you hate it. But you'll never understand it.
Also, I do not see how you failed! You have almost ZERO control of what is going on around you. Like most of us, you are piece of KaKaa in the toilet bowl of Korea. |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with bobbybigfoot, but I'm not going to apologize for being a "douche".
sorry.
(you looked at my "profile", eh? too funny. Is there anywhere where I can stick a big middle finger in it for other people who are looking at it?)
anyways
I actually would have also offered advice along with the criticism, if I had solid advice to offer, but your situation isn't unique to hagwon employees.
There have been many threads on similar topics and situations.
All you can do is diligently observe everything around you, gather facts and then make the best educated decision on whether or when to bail or not.
(I'd agree talking to the yes man about what you're REALLY thinking probably hurts more than it helps).
good luck. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: One step closer to failure... |
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| Teabonesteak wrote: |
I gotta escape but they are not going to let me quit. . |
How are they going to stop you? As a side note what does your contract say about quitting? |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| bogey666 wrote: |
| dude I hate to be the spelling police, etc,... |
Dude, what about capitalization?  |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| bogey666 wrote: |
| dude I hate to be the spelling police, etc,... |
Dude, what about capitalization? |
he he touche.
I usually don't give a rat's ass about such stuff, whether spelling or capitalization, or fat fingers (which I get often on my small keyboard, because I like to type quickly)
but something told me the gaffe over imminent was a little more than just that kind of error. Maybe I was wrong. It's happened before. It'll happen again. |
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SeoulFinn
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: 1h from Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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Muphry's Law
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Muphry's Law is an adage that states that "if you write anything criticizing editing or proofreading, there will be a fault of some kind in what you have written".
John Bangsund of the Victorian Society of Editors (Australia) identified Muphry's Law as "the editorial application of the better-known Murphy's Law"[1][2] and set it down in 1992 in the Society of Editors Newsletter.[3]
The law, as set out by Bangsund, states that:
(a) if you write anything criticizing editing or proofreading, there will be a fault of some kind in what you have written;
(b) if an author thanks you in a book for your editing or proofreading, there will be mistakes in the book;
(c) the stronger the sentiment expressed in (a) and (b), the greater the fault;
(d) any book devoted to editing or style will be internally inconsistent. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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| How much more time do you have in your contract? |
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roknroll
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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| bogey666 wrote: |
| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| bogey666 wrote: |
| dude I hate to be the spelling police, etc,... |
Dude, what about capitalization? |
he he touche.
I usually don't give a rat's ass about such stuff, whether spelling or capitalization, or fat fingers (which I get often on my small keyboard, because I like to type quickly)
but something told me the gaffe over imminent was a little more than just that kind of error. Maybe I was wrong. It's happened before. It'll happen again. |
yeah, it's spelling and meaning. whenever i hear either of these words, it reminds me of my last visit to the passport office.
lady: when will my passport be ready?
clerk: (gives a time frame)...were you planning to leave soon?
lady: not eminently but...........
i think it stands out because she wasn't being natural but appeared to be putting on a display (the vibes i got from her glancing around) until it backfired (although she was blissfully unaware).
PS: the OP seems natural and he's likely caught up in the situation with less regard to wording. |
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dmbfan
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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| K-land is a f***** up country. One day you love it. The next day you hate it. But you'll never understand it. |
Exactly. |
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