Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Good Will Riker]

To make a long story short, for the past 2.5 years I have been working full-time at an English kindergarten from Mondays ~ Fridays at an English kindergarten which is run and operated by a Korean Christian church. I also attend their worship service on Sundays. While this job description may sound routine "on paper," in actuality I am the only English native language speaker who works here and have had no contact with any other native English speakers like myself for the past 2.5 years.

Since this Christian church-operated school in its contract requires all of its employees -- including church workers and full-time instructors like myself -- to mandatorily attend its 100% Korean language Sunday worship service each and every Sunday, I have been out of the "whole hangingout with other native instructors loop" for the past 2.5 years. Sure there are a few "Konglish-speaking" Korean teachers around me, but since everything at this church and school is all spoken and communicated in the Korean language, it's obviously contributed greatly to my English language writer's block.

And, no, all this time my Korean did not improve much either due to the fact that I am spending most of my waking hours teaching elementary school students and kindergarteners. The nightly tutoring and Saturday full-time work obviously contributes to my current dilemma, as well. Not to mention not having other native English instructors around me to hang out with.

1.) It's time for me to move on. I just need some pointers from a few of the fellow instructors here to re-brush up on my self-introduction cover letter writing/ESL job resume writing skills.

2.) How to cure myself of my English language writer's block/internet addiction, if you have any helpful suggestions.

[Skippy]

Two things, get out there and meet some people. Ya have to make an effort.

Also consider a extended break, go back home and socialize with some people. Or take a holiday. Get back into some sort of what you call normal.

As to Internet addiction, well consider disconnecting your Internet for a day or two. Or just go on a trip, leave computer behind.

Or consider baby steps. Use software like leechblock.

Good Luck.

[soomin]

Don't you still have your original resume? I'm sure it's inadvertently saved somewhere, even if it's in your "sent" box in your email... All you have to do is tweak that and you should have no problem~

Also, maybe go to a bookstore or read some books online (amazon has books you can read if you download their software/have a kindle) to get your English back in shape... It's really easy to fall into Konglish, especially when you're the only foreigner at your workplace (I've been at two like that) and are forced to use jilted English every day to get your point across, even to your boss and coworkers.

Go to a bar or foreigner hangout, or check out meetup.com for other foreigners who live in your area and want to hang out~ If you're looking for something in a hurry, why not call your friends or family back home and schedule a nice, long, talk? I find that after a few minutes speaking with a native speaker, I drop all the Konglish and speak properly, even when I thought it was impossible! LOL~

Good luck!!

[luckylady]

[Good Will Riker]

[luckylady]

well if it's any consolation, your writing seems fine

as for mp3 vs ipod vs phone, that's up to one's own tastes, I suppose. mp3s are relatively cheap, maybe you can try one see how you like it and then think about a higher end ipod or something later?

or, just ask your students, I'm sure they'll have an opinion

as for programs, the U.S. has a lot of free podcasts, don't know where you're from but am sure your country does also - besides www.democracynow.org, that I mentioned, there's also www.npr.org (general radio programs, news, variety of stuff); http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/podcasts/, also www.archive.org has a huge library of podcasts, including some very old radio shows pre-television days - DarkShadow radio theatre plays are awesome, with Orsen Welles, no less.

basically if something's broadcast on the net, chances are it's also podcast as well.

as for your resume, just google resume examples and see what's out there - I did this last year when I wanted to update my style, there's plenty to look at - you'll get some ideas there

also - it's a good sign you're reaching out and recognize the need for your own cultural reaquaintance, so to speak, it's part of the maturing process.

good luck

[soomin]

There was recently a topic on writing resumes in Korea, so I'll copy what I wrote there: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=219524

[Good Will Riker]