| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
No_hite_pls
Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Location: Don't hate me because I'm right
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 6:08 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| World Traveler wrote: |
| tophatcat wrote: |
Why don't you try something better suited for you? Perhaps you could go back home and buy a bicycle with the money you have saved up since being in Korea. Then maybe use your bike to do a paper route. I know it's a job intended for kids, but it might be just the thing for you.
ring ring ring bicycle bell and give the paper a toss |
All I'm saying is not every English teaching job in Korea has non-existent stress levels. (In fact, I can't think of any teaching job that has no stress at all.) Is that such an unreasonable statement to make?
| tophatcat wrote: |
| The first hagwon = lies, vacation day rip-off, stolen wages, etc. I encountered some type of problem, sometimes more than one problem, at the first hagwon nearly everyday. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| I'm an older certified-teacher who has taught in three countries and held various jobs in different backgrounds, so I'm familiar with both the teaching world and the working world. I had never encountered any major type of on-the-job problem until my first hagwon job. It was the worst job I've ever had. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| the blood pressure rises when thinking about the old job. |
|
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
tophatcat
Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Location: under the hat
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 7:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| World Traveler wrote: |
| tophatcat wrote: |
Why don't you try something better suited for you? Perhaps you could go back home and buy a bicycle with the money you have saved up since being in Korea. Then maybe use your bike to do a paper route. I know it's a job intended for kids, but it might be just the thing for you.
ring ring ring bicycle bell and give the paper a toss |
All I'm saying is not every English teaching job in Korea has non-existent stress levels. (In fact, I can't think of any teaching job that has no stress at all.) Is that such an unreasonable statement to make?
| tophatcat wrote: |
| The first hagwon = lies, vacation day rip-off, stolen wages, etc. I encountered some type of problem, sometimes more than one problem, at the first hagwon nearly everyday. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| I'm an older certified-teacher who has taught in three countries and held various jobs in different backgrounds, so I'm familiar with both the teaching world and the working world. I had never encountered any major type of on-the-job problem until my first hagwon job. It was the worst job I've ever had. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| the blood pressure rises when thinking about the old job. |
|
But I found a way to move on to something better. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tophatcat
Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Location: under the hat
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 7:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| No_hite_pls wrote: |
| World Traveler wrote: |
| tophatcat wrote: |
Why don't you try something better suited for you? Perhaps you could go back home and buy a bicycle with the money you have saved up since being in Korea. Then maybe use your bike to do a paper route. I know it's a job intended for kids, but it might be just the thing for you.
ring ring ring bicycle bell and give the paper a toss |
All I'm saying is not every English teaching job in Korea has non-existent stress levels. (In fact, I can't think of any teaching job that has no stress at all.) Is that such an unreasonable statement to make?
| tophatcat wrote: |
| The first hagwon = lies, vacation day rip-off, stolen wages, etc. I encountered some type of problem, sometimes more than one problem, at the first hagwon nearly everyday. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| I'm an older certified-teacher who has taught in three countries and held various jobs in different backgrounds, so I'm familiar with both the teaching world and the working world. I had never encountered any major type of on-the-job problem until my first hagwon job. It was the worst job I've ever had. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| the blood pressure rises when thinking about the old job. |
|
|
But I found a way to move on to something better. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stain
Joined: 08 Jan 2014
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 7:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| tophatcat wrote: |
| No_hite_pls wrote: |
| World Traveler wrote: |
| tophatcat wrote: |
Why don't you try something better suited for you? Perhaps you could go back home and buy a bicycle with the money you have saved up since being in Korea. Then maybe use your bike to do a paper route. I know it's a job intended for kids, but it might be just the thing for you.
ring ring ring bicycle bell and give the paper a toss |
All I'm saying is not every English teaching job in Korea has non-existent stress levels. (In fact, I can't think of any teaching job that has no stress at all.) Is that such an unreasonable statement to make?
| tophatcat wrote: |
| The first hagwon = lies, vacation day rip-off, stolen wages, etc. I encountered some type of problem, sometimes more than one problem, at the first hagwon nearly everyday. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| I'm an older certified-teacher who has taught in three countries and held various jobs in different backgrounds, so I'm familiar with both the teaching world and the working world. I had never encountered any major type of on-the-job problem until my first hagwon job. It was the worst job I've ever had. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| the blood pressure rises when thinking about the old job. |
|
|
But I found a way to move on to something better. |
How many times did you find a way to move on to something better? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
goat
Joined: 23 Feb 2010
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 8:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Same reoccurring theme. Some came here into not so ideal situations but extended their stay and are now happy or at least content. Some came here into not so ideal situations but extended their stay and have failed to take it upon themselves to improve their situations.
Which one are you? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tophatcat
Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Location: under the hat
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 8:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
one job was tough, another job was soso, the rest have been smooth sailing
| Stain wrote: |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| No_hite_pls wrote: |
| World Traveler wrote: |
| tophatcat wrote: |
Why don't you try something better suited for you? Perhaps you could go back home and buy a bicycle with the money you have saved up since being in Korea. Then maybe use your bike to do a paper route. I know it's a job intended for kids, but it might be just the thing for you.
ring ring ring bicycle bell and give the paper a toss |
All I'm saying is not every English teaching job in Korea has non-existent stress levels. (In fact, I can't think of any teaching job that has no stress at all.) Is that such an unreasonable statement to make?
| tophatcat wrote: |
| The first hagwon = lies, vacation day rip-off, stolen wages, etc. I encountered some type of problem, sometimes more than one problem, at the first hagwon nearly everyday. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| I'm an older certified-teacher who has taught in three countries and held various jobs in different backgrounds, so I'm familiar with both the teaching world and the working world. I had never encountered any major type of on-the-job problem until my first hagwon job. It was the worst job I've ever had. |
| tophatcat wrote: |
| the blood pressure rises when thinking about the old job. |
|
|
But I found a way to move on to something better. |
How many times did you find a way to move on to something better? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
radcon
Joined: 23 May 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 8:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Even the worst hogwon job allows someone to save at least $1000 US a month. Most Americans only dream of being able to save that monthly. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 12:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
Life's greatest expense: raising children.
The cost of a kid: $1,116.11 per month.
http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/14/pf/cost-children/
Living without child(ren) in the United States = possible to save $1,000 a month. Many people do it. It's not uncommon. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 1:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Some of the saving is not obviously apparent, for example when it comes in the form of mortgage. But when the house is paid off it's a $250,000 asset- it can be sold or (continue to be) lived in. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Scorpion
Joined: 15 Apr 2012
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| schwa wrote: |
| Teach well & rewards follow. |
Did you just read that off a fortune cookie? Or maybe you found it in a book titled, 'Simple Thoughts for Simple Folk who think Mindless Platitudes Have any Bearing on the Real World of the Korean ESL Industry.' Which one is it? Or do you honestly believe that if you "teach well" in Korea then you're in for a stress-free work life? Really? Ever set foot in a hogwan? Ever worked at a lousy public school? Ever had to deal with disagreeable co-teachers who resented your existence, unruly students, theft of overtime, eleventh month firings, absurd parental complaints, profit before education scenarios (where 'teaching well' is the least of the boss' concerns, and can actually get you canned), etc. etc. etc. All of these simply disappear if you teach well, and you will have a stress-free existence? Really? Have you even set foot in Korea?
If you have nothing worthwhile to say simply don't post. You simply look foolish. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yep, totally happy with it. I'm in the finishing stages of my paid 6 week vacation and looking forward to getting back to the grind for a few more months until the next break. Life is pretty sweet. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Byrddogs, what kind of job do you have? What age do you teach? The school is in Shanghai? The vacation is called Chinese New Year? I talked to a person working in China not too long ago. She said (for her university anyways) teaching lasts until the end of December then starts up again in late February. Same/simlar deal with you? When is the next big break for you? (I ask because I have friends thinking of giving China a shot, so I'm trying to get another perspective.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| World Traveler wrote: |
| Byrddogs, what kind of job do you have? What age do you teach? The school is in Shanghai? The vacation is called Chinese New Year? I talked to a person working in China not too long ago. She said (for her university anyways) teaching lasts until the end of December then starts up again in late February. Same/simlar deal with you? When is the next big break for you? (I ask because I have friends thinking of giving China a shot, so I'm trying to get another perspective.) |
Nah, not teaching Chinese students, I'm at an international school (1-12 grades). We follow the public school schedule from the country these students come from as well as Chinese holidays that fall outside of that scope. I'll have the next big break July to August. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Scorpion wrote: |
| If you have nothing worthwhile to say simply don't post. You simply look foolish. |
Conceded, I am a sucker for aphorisms. Foolish too in lots of ways.
I'm not unaware of problems others (& myself sometimes) encounter living & teaching in Korea, but I choose consciously to focus on the positives I see & to work from there. My life in Korea has played out well, I'm happy, & I'd like to think I've made a small difference for the good in many lives that have touched mine.
Heres a few more mantras that run through my mind that continue to serve me well:
Dont sweat the small stuff.
Everything happens for a reason.
The more you give, the more you get.
Dont speak ill of others.
Money isnt everything.
...I could go on. My newest favorite is "When one door closes, another one opens." This is pertinent to me right now as I'm facing forced retirement from a job I've done long & well & really enjoy. I suppose I could feel bitter but I dont. Based exactly on getting along well in the Korean school system, new opportunities are coming to me elsewhere. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Teach well & rewards follow. Money isn't everything
|
So I infer from these quotes that the rewards you were talking about are largely spiritual, not financial. Relying on that kind of attitude is how they've managed to pay teachers so little in places like the US for so long isn't it? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
