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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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skeeterses
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
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 Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:07 am Post subject: Re: Need Suggestion About Co-Worker Not Being Able to Speak |
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| Dodge7 wrote: |
I was brought up to not snitch on anyone. Furthermore, I really don't want to take food off anyone's table (I know this woman has a kid.)
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What would you do? |
The answer is quite simple. Don't do a darn thing. Take it from someone who has taught in Korea for a few years and then got out of the hagwon business.
The number one goal of hagwons is to make money, with the English education being of secondary importance. The only real way to reform the ESL industry over there is for the industry to downsize so that the students who genuinely want to learn English can get good teachers while the students who don't want to learn can focus on other skills.
As a Native English speaker, your role is to put on a good face for the hagwon and make a reasonable effort to run your classroom. If you want to be a "real teacher", focus on saving up your money and then work on getting some education credentials back in your home country. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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| fustiancorduroy wrote: |
| rabidcake wrote: |
| edwardcatflap wrote: |
| Countdown to someone saying you should learn Korean so you can talk to her properly. |
I always wonder about this. Are there any teachers here that must rely on their own Korean abilities with their co-teachers because it's much better than the English of the co-teacher?
I'd assume it isn't a common occurrence, but I'm curious of the people that manage their relationships in Korean but continue teaching in English. Not to mention the difficulty it would still bring for the co-teacher to help teach English (unless she gives full responsibility to the English teacher, which to some is the best).
I think she sounds like a very nice lady that can't speak English. It's a pity, some people have the ability but the wrong attitude, and others are the reverse. |
I work with some Korean teachers who don't speak very much English. Considering that I'm living in their country and that they don't need to be able to speak English to teach reading and listening comprehension classes, as they are simply translating the English passages into Korean, I don't see why I shouldn't be able to communicate with them in Korean.
Generally, foreign language teachers whose first language is not English are expected to be able to communicate in English while teaching in English-speaking countries, such as the US. Why should people from English-speaking countries not be expected to learn the languages of the countries they are teaching in as well, such as being able to communicate in Korean while working in Korea? Is it too much to expect language teachers to be able to, you know, learn languages in addition to teaching them? Yes, I of course realize that most people have no prior training in the Korean language before coming to Korea and that English is the so-called "global language", but that doesn't mean we should be too arrogant to learn Korean or any other language, especially when the people of our host nation often speak little to no English. |
Because that's the way the market works. It's not because English is superior as a language. It's because many of the powerful countries and economies use English. It's supply and demand that makes our language in demand, especially in exporting countries. If you had a know Korean or Know Chinese requirement, ect, you wouldn't have enough teachers over here. When I first got here, most Koreans who spoke English had terrible language ability. Although some have had some improvements, there are still plenty out there who have terrible language. The goal is to improve the use of English for exporting and also for tourism so that these countries can grow and make more money. Listening to us speak English, especially the younger kids, improves their listening and inntonation in a way that many Korean English teachers cannot do. Though I should add SOME have improved their English ability and SOME are very good teachers who work hard with planning and administrative duties.
English is the global language. The US and Canada don't need foriegn language to attract tourism and for trade to the same degree. We don't need sheer numbers to bring in native Korean and Chinese speakers. We only need a few. Therefore, they would be expected to know English too.
That said, I do suggest every waygook in Korea learn to read Hangeul and study some basic Korean. It does make life easier and the locals seem to appreciate it. |
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Malislamusrex
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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| If you say something she will destroy you. |
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