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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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 Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:24 am Post subject: |
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| aq8knyus wrote: |
Well maybe but you did call english teachers nothing, insignificant, whiny, self-entitled weirdos. It weren't far off the mark.
1. Spot on.
2. I remember apparently we are looked down upon by the legions of successful business owners and highly paid professionals that make up the vast majority of Korea.
Ok I get what you are saying but if that were generally true then a) most Koreans are failures and b) Koreans are not particularly nice people. That was why I took what you were saying as a basher comment |
Paddycakes isn't bashing Korea or foreigners. I'm not sure why so many people are taking the posts so personally. I'm an English teacher and I get exactly what he is saying.
Most Koreans don't think about foreigners. It doesn't mean you are less of a person, it just means you don't really factor into their daily lives.
Foreigners aren't bad people for having little influence on Korea.
Koreans aren't bad people for not putting you on a pedestal. |
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ghostrider
Joined: 27 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 4:42 am Post subject: |
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| Korea has a reputation for hiring English teachers based on superficial characteristics. So if they complain about the quality of English teachers in their country they have only themselves to blame. You get what you pay for. |
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aq8knyus
Joined: 28 Jul 2010
Location: London
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:30 am Post subject: |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
| aq8knyus wrote: |
Well maybe but you did call english teachers nothing, insignificant, whiny, self-entitled weirdos. It weren't far off the mark.
1. Spot on.
2. I remember apparently we are looked down upon by the legions of successful business owners and highly paid professionals that make up the vast majority of Korea.
Ok I get what you are saying but if that were generally true then a) most Koreans are failures and b) Koreans are not particularly nice people. That was why I took what you were saying as a basher comment |
Paddycakes isn't bashing Korea or foreigners. I'm not sure why so many people are taking the posts so personally. I'm an English teacher and I get exactly what he is saying.
Most Koreans don't think about foreigners. It doesn't mean you are less of a person, it just means you don't really factor into their daily lives.
Foreigners aren't bad people for having little influence on Korea.
Koreans aren't bad people for not putting you on a pedestal. |
I suggest you go back and read his comments again, if he was only saying that foreigners are an irrevelancy to Koreans I would agree entirely.
The disagreement seems to stem from why a minority of Koreans do indeed have very negative opinions of english teachers. He says that this is because we are socially awkward weirdos who cant hold down a job. I say that it is because there is an element of anti-foreigner feeling, evidenced by the strength of the hate and the fact that the same thing happens in all countries. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:46 am Post subject: |
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Korean perception of NETs?
Probably some of the best customers at the bar they own.
During my introduction for the year I got some whoops and cheers. My Co-teacher was surprised and attributed it to my teaching ability. Inside, they're probably cheering about me dropping 1/4 of my paycheck every month at their watering hole/meat joint. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Peace Train wrote: |
As someone working outside the education sphere, let me tell you, this sentiment is pretty universal.
Since i'm considered to be a "professional" in this country, my colleagues have no filter when discussing this subject. I've yet to talk to one who has a positive thing to say about english teachers. The multitude of articles and expos�'s over the years have made a serious dent in public consciousness contrary to the "tempest in a teapot" defense most here like to wrap themselves in to stay warm. |
Some of the older Koreans do have these views. But, I think they also judge a lot on looks here too. If you're a decent looking, fit, energetic English teacher and the kids love you, people and chicks will like you just fine, even if you are just a "scummy" English teacher. Younger Koreans will like you fine if you're cool. The older ones are just jealous of us and it comes down to masked resentment. Whatever, they can piss off. Keep doing you're thing. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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| wishfullthinkng wrote: |
i once had a korean ask me, strangely enough, what americans thought about canadians.
i told them that americans think canadians spend all day sitting around their homes getting drunk off maple moonshine and trying to figure out how best to ride the abundance of wildlife in their backyard forests.
the korean was astounded. |
...damn straight we do! ...and our beer is better than yours too! ..... |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Paddycakes wrote: |
Most Koreans don't think about ESL teachers... they don't care...
Or they care about as much as as the average middle aged white guy back home cares about Vietnamese cooks. This means - not much.
However, some do care, and it's usually those from my experience who have worked or dealt with foreigners usually in educational settings.
Much of the negative perception of ESL teachers stems from some basic things:
1. Korea is a very image centered society, and while it may not apply to everyone in ESL, most ESL teachers look like slobs.
A lot are obese to morbidly obese.
In a society where people are generally thin and care about their appearance and make an effort to dress up, this is an issue.
2. A lot of ESL teachers make no effort to respect or fit in with the culture, but you could probably make that argument among the expats in professional occupations... in fact, they're probably worse since they have the money to not live like average locals.
3. ESL is generally a low paid, non-professional job, and we all know how obsessed Koreans are with income and status (ie., being a Doctor and a graduate of SNU... blah blah blah...).
I know some ESL teachers, especially those who work in universities, genuinely believe in their own minds that they are "professionals", but the reality is you're only a professional if you're a member of a self-regulating body and you're legally responsible for your work. Also, 'professional' jobs are generally high income (plus $100,000 per year).
I know everyone like to think they are "professionals", but those who hark on it usually come across looking insecure and trying to compensate for a reality they don't like.
4. A lot of ESL'ers would be loathe to admit it, but the reality is most are here because they can't get a job back home, or they just don't function socially very well back in their home countries. Or they're here for a fun working holiday... a gap year.
Some generally care about teaching ESL, but most don't.
So, yes, there is a stigma against English Instructors.
But who cares.
You're only here as a transient guest. Make some money. Pay off some student loan debt. Date some cute K-girls.
Have a good time.
Don't fret over how other people perceive you... you can't change their opinions. |
Pre- 2009 recession, the whole fat slob, socially inept thing might have been true. Nowadays, with all the competition, a much higher number of more pretty and handsome teachers are coming into ESL over here.
As for perceptions, it's just the older Koreans who feel that way. But, if you're friendly and take some pride in your appearance, a lot will want to hang with you, even some Korean doctors or others with money. You might even get soem free lunches out of it. heh heh.
The younger Koreans don't think that way the same because many of them grew up middle class like many westerners. The older ones or those who grew up really poor in the countryside crave status and the appearance of money. But how many Koreans are in debt to their eyeballs trying to keep up appearances?
Be cool and people will like you. The ones who don't can go blow chunks. This anti foriegn 1980's generation will soon pass out of power. (They're the 50's and 60's years olds now.) |
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JustinC
Joined: 10 Mar 2012
Location: We Are The World!
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| Nowadays, with all the competition, a much higher number of more pretty and handsome teachers are coming into ESL over here. |
I agree with this statement 110%. Good to see that people are finally wakening to it. |
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fermentation
Joined: 22 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="JustinC"]
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| Nowadays, with all the competition, a much higher number of more pretty and handsome teachers are coming into ESL over here. |
I'm noticing the change and welcoming it. The white people I meet these days are more normal and better looking than I remember a few years ago. |
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