Korean Job Discussion Forums

[clueless in Korea]

I�m not sure where to vent with this. I�ve tried the Korean Times, but they have been very rude and unwilling to answer any of my questions. I�ve tried the author of these recent anti-NET (Native English Teacher) articles, but he�s gone to the world, lost in his negative and racist views. I guess the timing of this rant seems pretty insignificant with what could go down between the two Koreas. However, as I stated, I need to vent.

About a month ago, an oped piece was published in the Korean Times entitled �Concerning Education.� And again, today, by the same author, another oped was published entitled �What Makes a Good Teacher?� Both opeds were written by David Thiessen.

Some Highlights:
�These armchair quarterbacks and disgruntled westerners continue to voice their displeasure�

�All attempts to get these whiners [NETs] to see reason have failed� (he went on to quote the Bible, Albert Einstein and Star Trek�hmmmm�)

�It�s time for westerners to be wise�

�I was hired to teach, not take vacations, not have an adventure, not to party and I never leave Korea save for the old Visa run.�

�Too many NETs just do not grasp their native tongue and it shows.�

�They (NETs) do not care about your students��

I emailed him earlier and he clearly has issues. He has very negative views on foreigners here and refused to listen to anything I had to say. It�s was like talking to a wall. I�d say one thing and he�d come back with the same anti-NET rhetoric. He has issues that can�t be addressed through the internet. Many people have tried -- some in mature fashions, others in less mature fashions (at one point, me for example). He doesn�t listen, but only twists. He�s very irrational. I�ve asked him to meet, but he�s refused.

That being said, I think it�s time for the Korean Times to be addressed. Either they are not reading the opeds they publish or they clearly also have very negative views on foreign teachers.

Now, let me say this � I�m not saying anyone is perfect in this equation. I�ve met some pretty horrible teachers out here. I�ve also met some wonderful teachers. I�ve met some excellent Korean teachers and some bad ones. I�ve always tried to judge each individual as an individual. That�s why it�s so hard for me to understand Thiessen�s views. He grouped all NETs together as one � to me that is stereotyping and when done with such a negative attitude it leads to racism.

I also do believe the Korean English education system needs help. Whether that be outside help or within, it�s irrelevant here. Bur Mr. Thiessen has made it clear that foreigners have nothing to contribute. According to him, as it seems, we should simply show up to our classes, speak English, obey our bosses, and act like robots. At my school, the Korean teachers and bosses are always welcoming fresh and new ideas. They don�t necessarily agree with all of them, but they are wise enough to know that they should at least listen. Because I speak English does not simply mean I have something to contribute; that�s not my point.

I�m not even sure what I�m getting at. I guess I just want to know what the Korean NET community thinks. Any opinions out there? Anything constructive that can be done?

Concerning Education: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2010/12/162_77359.html

What Makes a Good Teacher? 
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2010/12/198_78278.html

In case Mr. Theissen replies (or any of his cronies do), I just want to conclude with this:

I�ve loved Korea and the Koreans I have met. I have nothing negative to say about the culture here, the people or anything (maybe one thing�E-Mart on a Sunday, that�s all)

I don�t think my any one education system is better than another � most have problems, most have wonderful things to offer

I certainly don�t think that because I�m from the West, that I am better than anyone�far from.

Thanks. Hope my rant here hasn�t annoyed anyone too much; just needed to get that off my shoulders. Happy Holidays.

[UknowsI]

I don't find anything noteworthy in the article "What Makes a Good Teacher?". The advice are not too far off, you might nitpick on a few of his arguments, but nothing shocking.

His other article "Concerning Education" however resembles a rant you could expect to find on unmoderated forums. I do agree that we shouldn't demand change, but I do think we should be allowed to encourage it. The article resembles a person who wants Korea to stay the way it is and has bad memories about the west. You may ask why Korean Times has published this, but is it any worse than citing The Onion?

[superNET]

[discostu333]

David Thiessen = steelrails?

[TheUrbanMyth]

[clueless in Korea]

[superNET]

[nathanrutledge]

[Poker]

A majority of NET's would do well in Korea if they followed what was said in "What makes a good teacher". It makes sense. Maybe it would be better to be more specific and call it "What makes a good teacher in the Korean education system for foreigners". It may be bad for the psyche, but one can do really well following those listed points, especially in the public school system.

Koreans are brought up to think differently, even the notion of employees giving advice and floating ideas is alien in many workplaces in this country. Generally, we have to adapt and fit in as much as we can or we suffer. The "Concerning Education" had valid points. Sorry for us foreigners, but this is not our country, they have a system and ways of doing things that have been going on for centuries. People wanting to show them Western and better mindsets/ways of doing things are gona hit a brick wall. They don't care. They are Korean and they will do it the Korean way. It is really not rocket science.

It's understandable that a lot of us come over here and many things just seem too crazy. But it's normal for them. Just like when they come over to the West and feel the same way that we do when we are here.

I do however feel that Thiessen writes with venom in his articles. There are better ways to cover these topics, especially in a national newspaper.

[Kurtz]

[Steelrails]

[superNET]

[OculisOrbis]

Any chance the OP can change the thread title to:

'Anti-NET rhetoric & superNUT' ?

It's heading in that direction already....

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[OculisOrbis]