Korean Job Discussion Forums

Chalmers · Joined: 20 Oct 2008

...just goes to show, don't believe everything you read on here. My apartment is super nice with an awesome view from the 9th floor.

AND my co-teachers are equally as nice. I'm having dinner with one of them at her home with her family.

I haven't started working yet as it is Saturday, but only having to go to work for about an hour each day this week is not a bad deal either Smile

kokujin · Joined: 17 May 2009 Location: Washington, DC

benji · Joined: 21 Jul 2009

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

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

Sounds like you landed in a good situation. That's great. It's nice when people get a break once and a while.

Let's hope we don't see you back here in three months, saying you've had it up to here with your school. Cool

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

Bassexpander nailed it. Will we she you here in a month or three? Buddy you are in the honeymoon period. Just because you got here and you were not fired, found your apartment was a not burned out wreck that is pretty good because it is owned by the principals brother, and you co-teacher actually looks at you with understanding and some friendliness does not mean it can not blow up.

Yep dinner with co-teacher is great. Until the following happens - since you are such good friends and your almost like family do you want to teach my kids. OR You are asked have you accepted Jesus into your heart and you should come to church this Sunday. OR since you understand can you please just cover this class for me for a day or two.

Good Luck
Skippy (Dashing dreams since 1999).

pie eater · Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Location: The Bando

The Gipkik · Joined: 30 Mar 2009

Hey, I've been here 6 months and my SMOE job rocks: great school, great co-teachers, great students (well, actually I'm lying about that one, but there are a few great ones), not so great apartment, but it's quiet, incredible location, and it's free. No kudos to SMOE really, this job had very little to do with them. I've always looked at SMOE as glorified recruiters. The reason the job is good is because the school is good and I've got a hell of a lot of experience. A lot of people aren't so lucky or so experienced.

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Yeah, let's not get carried away. Just because you had a great FIRST DAY doesn't mean people who are stuck in dorms can't gripe. Just because your coteacher took you out to dinner, doesn't mean we can't be angry over the 100 teachers who were fired the day before they were to come to Korea.

Condescending "veterans" who give unsolicited advice are an extremely annoying feature of Korea. But so are new teachers who think that after two days they know what time it is. If you're having a good time in Korea so far, great . . . most of us do. But cut the crap.

gaffe · Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Location: N.C.

Are you guys getting laid too? Let's hear the details! SMOE sucks. I wish the teachers the best, but SMOE can just FO!

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Hey Smee.

I'm a vet and I know what time it is!!!

I had a great week with all the very happy and energetic SMOE teachers at orientation.

Some want to play the Stones and paint it just all black and hey, it ain't 72 anymore.

Here's a nice video I made and I'll thank here and on my own site all the fine teachers who really showed me class, professionalism, fun and made me very proud of the teachers that will be in the classroom this semester. The students they will meet are very lucky, to the nth one of 'em.

http://setiteachers.ning.com/video/smoe-orientation-project

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com
http://projectpeace.ning.com

Bucky · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:56 am Post subject:

Although the housing situation is pretty good on my end as well, I'm just impressed with my English classroom. I have the BEST classroom in the school. I'm not even remotely exaggerating about that. My school's mostly aging and peeling yet I get a spanking new English classroom with smartboards, a reading room, computers for activities, etc.

I feel so spoiled, especially after seeing what the other teachers in the school have to work with.

Chalmers · Joined: 20 Oct 2008

Hey D-Bags, this isn't my first job in Korea!!!!!!!!

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

I've had some time to reflect on my experiences in Korea now that I've returned home. I used Dave's both as a resource and as an outlet to let out the frustrations, concerns, and overall culture shock that didn't and still don't understand.
Now that I'm in graduate schools I've been reaffirmed that I know very little about ESL and that I will have to struggle and work hard to do well in my courses, especially this Phonetics course.... any tips on IPA? haha....

I consider people who gripe about there overall situation in Korea to be confused and often misled. We've all been in that situation before and most likely will be again. They should be helped and not critisized, the majority of the time. There of course exists people who just complain and gripe about every little thing that isn't "western". So there is a fine line that must be distinguished between the two.

As for messages like the OP posted, I am always happy to read them. They solemnly remind us that there are good gigs out there and that Koreans aren't these people get us. Although I would express caution in such a situation IF he was new to Korea.

OP I'm glad you have a great place and I hope your job is equally good. However don't lash out at people who have a genuine concern for you and who didn't know this was you're first job in Korea.

(Now that I've been distracted from reading, I know return to Chapter 5 of Stress, Rhytyhm and Syllable Segmentation in Connected Speach.)

Jesse

Marissa0687 · Joined: 26 Mar 2009

I'm also impressed so far. The school arranged for the teacher I'm replacing to stay in Seoul this week, so we had a chance to meet yesterday and she was able to answer so many of my questions. I have a pretty big apartment and I'm in a very nice area near Cafe Village. My classroom is also the nicest in my school -- the other classrooms only have blackboards, but my English Zone had smartboards, multiple computers and an overall nice setup. Coteachers seem nice, and the previous teacher said she had no issues with them. She worked with them for two years, so I think I can trust her. I realize there's still going to be hurdles to deal with over the year, but at least this moving in and getting settled business wasn't one of them.