Korean Job Discussion Forums

Celter_Skelter · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

I'm about to submit my application, but frankly, after seeing most of these posts, I'm having second thoughts.

First, it sounds like Korea is a nation of slap-and-tickle class clowns. I'm more on the serious side (unless I'm on drugs) and while I don't mind being energetic, I'm not going to jump around and wave my arms while I explain English grammar.

Second, even after only the first day, if this board is any indication of what my coworkers will be like, I'll be surrounded by snarky, sullen, clique-ish people. I'm more laid back. It seems these boards are a popularity contest.

So, what do you think? Heck, I'll probably get more insults than actual advice.

cruisemonkey

misher · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

i_teach_esl · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Location: baebang, asan/cheonan

daves represents a small bit of the population of esl teachers here. many of us, once we arrive in korea, are thankful for all we learned from this forum, but then stop posting b/c the negativity and extreme aggression people insist on using when asserting their opinions. I suggest reading some esl teacher blogs, and maybe facebook groups, for a wider perspective.

RBJfaraway · Joined: 27 Aug 2009

Don't let a forum about a job characterize the job. If people are happy, busy, and have all the information that they need, you won't hear much from them on here.

There are some exceptions, of course. Plenty of genuinely helpful and positive people here.

Kikomom

andrewchon · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:13 pm Post subject:

I'd say Korea is suited for a 'street-wise' person.

I can't really comprehend how can one be 'serious' and 'laid-back', but...

Clowning around is called TPR (Total Physical Response). It has lot of movements in it. It's the latest fad in ESL teaching although the Koreans are not entirely convinced by it. Koreans, if they are into 'modern' methods, favour 'immersion'. When immersion and TPR is married to satisfy the stake holders (bosses, co-teachers, students, parents, and yours truly) the result can be absurd, to say the least.

Co-workers are mostly your boss (Korean) and your co-teacher (also Korean). The people on Dave's are rarely going to be your co-workers. So, if you find posters on Dave's umm... anti-social, you've got nothing to worry about. Personally, I've yet to meet a Dave's poster in person. Therefore, worry more about whether you're going to get along with Koreans. That can be a challenge and a half.

The Gipkik · Joined: 30 Mar 2009

A lot of the stuff posted on Daves is smoke and mirrors. I would just enjoy it and take it with a big grain of salt. The foreigners I've met in Korea have, by and large, been really good people. I'm sure if I met some of the posters I have the occasional disconnect with here, I'd like them too. It's the nature of this virtual form of conversation. We're all Larry David's here. Some who try to rise above it all, get blown away by sheer boredom.

As for coteachers. Great. Being laid-back won't be a problem in the classroom as long as you've got a good sense of humor (that can translate into the Korean mindset) and can think on your feet and you can command respect and you can...you get the picture. However, being laid-back might make you a pushover in the eyes of your Korean colleagues, so I hope you can be assertive and persuasive as well. That's the kind of personality that works well here. Oh yeah, and I find a genuine smile works wonders here. It opens so many closed doors for me.