Korean Job Discussion Forums

[buildbyflying]

It's been discussed before, NET's being replaced by KET's permanently, and I could've dredged up a prior discussion but didn't feel like it, what I wanted to ask is this: If KET's replace NET's (in public schools particularly) wouldn't they likely teach out of the book? There wouldn't be conversation per se, just young KET's pressured to teach the Speaking section of the textbook. The kids have exams after all... it doesn't seem likely that they would really care to teach anything else. just saying...

[Fishead soup]

Things would eventially revert back to the way things were before.
When students would shout"Mekook Suram" everytime they saw a foreigner.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I agree with the above post. I think half of our job is to simply get Korean kids used to being around people who aren't Korean. You can't be an advanced nation if your citizens giggle and say "can you eat spicy food?" every time they encounter a white (or other) person.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

I would hardly call this a TESOL empire. In my hogwan job I didn't feel much like an emperor.

Yes, I think Korean English teachers out of school would probably not rock the boat and would simply teach from the book. Being a trouble-free employee who teaches to the test makes administrators happy, regardless of whether any English is actually learned. But I think the future is probably going to be messier, with a mix of Koreans, teachers from non-English majority countries (Singapore, Philippines, Europe, South America, India), and a smaller proportion of North Americans and UK teachers.

[Xuanzang]

They would just try to re-engineer our efforts and use our materials accumulated on places like indischool.

[Fishead soup]

[buildbyflying]

The TESOL empire is alive and well! We are kings (and queens)! Bring us rounds of your finest dwenjjang, so that we may bask in its royal purfume!!!
(I wasn't being serious.)

I guess its just frustrating to think that our work carries so little value. Not that I'm surprised, I'm not. I guess it's a reminder to enjoy my time and not to get down about it.

The other question is: will it really make a difference? Will NET presence int he classroom be missed? THere'll still be hagwons...

[Xuanzang]

[adjective_noun]

Forgive my ignorance and incapacity to meaningfully use the search function, good sirs, but what are NETs and KETs?

[winterfall]

Solution:

Tough it out. Get a few years of experience. When you do get the axe. Packing up and moving won't be a problem

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Native English Teachers (NET)
Korean English Teachers (KET)

[afsjesse]

I left Korea four months ago in pursuit of a MA TESL so thta I wouldn't have to worry about getting the "axe" in a PS job. Get a qualification and some experience and move on if/when it happens.

As far as materials are concerned, it doesn't matter if you gave them most KET's have the most advanced learning materials, it's the teaching that ultimately counts. If you don't have the methods and positived/constructive feedback to base your teaching off of than all the materials in the world won't help anyone.

[buildbyflying]

MA doesn't really mean much unless you're teaching uni. I suppose it doesn't mean much there either ('cept to get you a bump up the pay scale).

As for materials/teaching, will they bother getting materials from an English language website? Seems inevitable that they'd work with the standard and supplementary texts in Korean. And I agree about methods, but there's only one method in Korea, practice until its perfect. And don't venture too far from the book.

[Ukon]

[buildbyflying]

that's kinda what I expected.