Korean Job Discussion Forums

[drcrazy]

Many have wanted to know why over the years the new university students are worse and worse. It is at the point that the best ones in a class would have been at the botton 15 years ago. And, this is in spite of the fact that they have had English since at least the third grade, not Middle School as it once was. The problem is these are "students" who have grown up spending most of their time playing comp. games and with cell phones. And, movies used to be a good topic, but no more. They used to go see movies, many of which were in English with Korean subtitles. But now, seeing a movie would get in the way of playing comp. games and playing with cell phones. And God forbid that they would ever dare to read a book for pleasure (in any language).

[Chaparrastique]

[Died By Bear]

Interesting thread.

[trueblue]

Well, unfortunately I can see some some common ground with those points, and my own country...bummer.

[le-paul]

[nicwr2002]

[andrewchon]

I wonder if you know Yuri Bezmenov aka Tomas David Schuman. He was a soviet defector in the 70s. He was a middle ranking diplomat/journalist/KGB. He live in Canada in hiding until the soviets figured out that the missing Yuri was Tomas.

There's a video of his lecture and an interview on the net. He did them during the 80's. He explained the soviet union's method of taking over countries.

1. Demoralization
2. Destabilization
3. Crisis
4. Normalization

1. demoralization: this involves planting of ideas that destroys the countries culture. He says that it takes about 15-20 years. Ideas are introduced into education, religion, military, media, police etc that destroys discipline, order, unity. Granted, societies can develop these things on their own without soviet subversion, however that's soviets did if they aren't already there. By his timing Korea is just coming to an end of the demoralization.

2. Destablization: messiahs arise. People who are not elected come to power e.g. Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, Al Sharpton, ... USA is at this stage.

3. Crisis: there's revolution, soviets come into help then take over.
4. Normalization: there's a new soviet republic. In this stage, the people who helped soviet take over are 'terminated'.

Doesn't explain everything about the current world affairs but it does make some sense in places.

[liveinkorea316]

You should notice a growing thirst from students for reading and discussion classes and materials. We have a few students at our university who want the extra resources. Most students are there for a job and English class is just for a grade. But some who want to increase their English really seek out what you are talking about.

[Chaucer]

[PigeonFart]

If you think they're bad now just wait another 10 years for the next cohort.

I teach 3rd grade elementary students and they are an absolute disgrace. Absolutely no pre-viewing of material before class, lack of focus during class, and no reviewing of material after class. They know nothing about politics, science, or the arts. They have no initiative or self-movtivation. I have to tell them to do everything. So true about the lack of social skills due to computer games. The future is very dull indeed.

[Coltronator]

Yeah I would expect 3rd grade Elementary students to know what Mitochondria are and be able to diagnose the social problems of apartheid South-A. Kids these days.

[earthquakez]

I think all of the posts (apart from the one about 3rd grade elementary - you can't expect much from kids of that age) and the jokey reply to it, pinpoint what is wrong with the education system generally in Korea.

This is not to say our own countries have problems because they do - and significant ones. It's just that in Korea as a native English teacher, you are forever coming up against Korean adults that want to keep the status quo and actively stymie any objective and good ways to get more from Korean students in English learning.

No matter how nice my Korean co teachers were in terms of appearance and at the surface level, as a NET in the public school system after teaching in Europe and other places I found that Korean adults in education consistently enforce and reinforce hierarchy.

Students understand this hierarchy as they learn it as soon as they are able to walk and play with each other. Seniority rules even among small children and boys are more important than girls. No matter the official pronouncements of Korean govt at all levels, Korea would have to undergo a major cultural shift and reject the Korean form of Confucianism that has governed relationships between Koreans for centuries.

So when you come up against what is at first a puzzling lack of willingness to enforce respect and good manners among Korean students by those in charge of them, you realise that you are being put into the 'appropriae' category for a foreigner. You are not part of the hierarchy and so the classes you teach are secondary to the Korean curriculum.

No matter how educated and intelligent they are, the majority of Korean teachers in the school system have no problem with their students' bad manners and unwillingness to learn English taught by a NET. Their concern is saving face, that's all.

That will always be the fundamental reason why most Korean students consider the English class by a foreigner the time to hang with their friends, talk over the teacher, use their mobile phone, look in mirrors etc. This will not change unless Korean society changes its hierarchical outlook and I don't see that happening in the near future no matter how many more women are doing part time jobs or even working in professions.

You do get Koreans who put education first and make sure that if students are going to come to their hagwon then they are going to learn English for real. Meaning they are going to listen to the non Korean teacher and if they don't then it's stop wasting all our time.

I had one such boss but like other people, Koreans in the private education business put fee payment and arses on seats ahead of genuine learning environments where all teachers are at least treated the same within the institution.

[andrewchon]

I also have figured it out! Sort of.

I've been watching Mission Impossible: 1966-71 series, and noticed: Why so many jewish actors in it? And then I saw the briefcase marked:

Impossible Mission Force (IMF) A-Ha!

Mossad is running the International Monetary Fund (IMF)!

$ $

You gotta connect the dots!

[Chaparrastique]

[maximmm]