Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Demophobe]

This is not about Korea or Koreans, and it is not intended to hurt or bother anyone, ok? Really, I just want to know some things about what the forum members are thinking and doing in this area of life here. Nor am I being condescending. Honestly, I just want to hear from you.

People are always complaining about how much money so-and-so is making and how little they are making. Why don't people do something about it? Some possibilities:

1. Get more education, right here in Korea. Two friends of mine got their MA in linguistics here part-time, and couldn't speak Korean well, so that is no cop-out. Most of the texts were in English, and the lectures just interpreted the texts for the Koreans. So, get an MA and get a better job.

2. Look for work in other sectors. The business community sometimes hires teachers within, and they pay more than hogwans. EBS, Samsung, Hyundai...they all hire. Remember, Korea is about connections; it's all about who you know. Mix with the right people, and things happen.

3. Learn Korean and make yourself viable for employment in other fields here. It's not impossible, and you are getting what every language learner needs: total immersion.

4. Open your own school. Co-partner a school with a Korean partner...it's possible (I am doing it, though in a limited way) Networking, folks. Get out there and meet some people. Korean people.

5. Go home to make your million dollars if this place isn't offering you enough. (OOooo...he said "go home"...ATTACK!!!)

6. Invest. Buy something that you don't drink, eat or wear. Make the commitment if you are going to be here for a while, or just manage your portfolio from abroad. It's complex, but do-able.

7. Open another kind of business. Again, complex, but do-able.

8. (What I did) Develop your own unique teaching program from the top down, then approach your boss with the idea of renting a classroom, where he gets a percentage of the tuition. It's a win/win situation if the class takes off, and it will just disappear if it doesn't. This takes a heck of a lot of work; it took me 2 years to collect materials, edit and refine my program, but it works well.

9. Meet an ambitious woman here and marry her. Not a K-girl or whatever negative terms people use for these helpless waifs who want another daddy, but a woman. They are around and are the best thing that can happen to you. They know the system and are often good with money... you can realize your goals together.

10. (Highly contentious! Beware...) Get some faith in God. You all know why, if you accept these reasons or not is up to you. I have done more in my life since I got Him on my team than ever before.

It comes down to making youreself worth more in a market-based society. Human asset is non-existant here, save long-timers getting some reward for years of teaching, and all of the extras that probably come with it. (Classroom management, methodology, Korean language ability, understanding the needs of your students, even if our instructed avenue of teaching is narrow {only teach conversation} it still needs specialization for Korean learners, overall experience)

Raise your market value people. If you don't help yourself, why would anyone else?
It's one thing to post about Koreans, as they, as a whole, are out of our control and can frustrate. When we start posting about our lack of money, that is no one's fault but ours.
Do something about it. Be pro-active and get out of the reactive, losing cycle. That kind of complaining is just outright whining and apathy....there is no one to blame for your monetary dissatisfaction but yourself.
It sounds goofy, but read some of those success books you think are for idiots (who are often wealthy...kind of ironic, eh?) The 7 habits.... was a great book and helped me in many areas. I was totally sceptical at first, but my wife insisted that I read it, and after a few chapters, I couldn't put it down.
Food for thought, I hope. There will inevitably be the poor "victims" who will reproach me for posting this with cries of "You are just trolling", "You think you are so good", "The Koreans won't let me win" or other such excuses. They will be excuses though.
Truth is, I am not trolling, I don't think I am too bad and the Koreans will let you win, but you have to play their game. It's their bag of marbles, after all.

If you have other strategies, then please post it them.

Selah.

Hundredth edit (first 99 were spelling...dang! New keyboard....honest! I gotta learn to proof-read my posts!)

Look at Dave, our host, for example. I don't know Dave personally (I did see him at the great KOTESOL meeting...good talk Dave!) but if he isn't a role model of someone doing something cool and mutually beneficial within this ESL industry, then I don't know who is.

[matthewwoodford]

[Scott in HK]

About number 8...

This is exactly what I have been doing for the last two years...the research and collecting of lesson plans and materials for a solid program...

One thing to add...if you do have a solid program with the materials and everything...it can be sold to schools for them to use...

This is one idea I have...not exactly franchising but just convincing kindergarten programs to use my curriculum...a nice day to day plan where their teachers don't have to add much...

[Demophobe]

Ghosts....

[Demophobe]

[Scott in HK]

Demophobe..

Actually, I took my masters course and started to develop the program as I am returning to Korea this fall with my wife and two kids. I have had Korea in mind the whole time. I plan on staying for at least 8 years and want to do something besides work for other people. I am tired of implementing poorly thought out programs and not knowing exactly who to curse. Now, if mine fails, at least I will know who to curse.

[matthewwoodford]

I think it's great what you both are doing. Do you manage to do all this at the same time as working as a teacher? If so, you must be super organised! Do you also find time for family, friends, social life, amusements, sports and so on? I think it's normal for people back home to be super busy all the time - so is this you?

[MixtecaMike]

Wow, a positive post! Nice to see that there are some go-getters in Korea, who can take responsability for their own lives instead of complaining about the place.

Hope to be joining you in a couple of months.

[Homer]

Demophobe I share you opinion in regards to improving yourself right here.

I expanded beyond teaching 4 years ago (Consulting) that venture is growing every year.
I still teach because I love too and I am actively involved at my school to improve teaching methods and classroom management.

Good show!

[Gosp]

[Demophobe]

Well,with all due respect, I don't own a copy of the Bible that uses the term "she" for God. The manuscripts have been translated a million times in every language, and the word used is "He".
Revisionist thinking is a slippery slope. Where do the changes to the words of God end? Eve was not the one who succumbed to temptation first? Because the women's rights groups and feminists think that's wrong? Well, they can change the word of God and take it up with Him when they meet. I will do no such blaspheme.
As for "the feminine side of God"...where did you get this? Please show me the verse and number. Additionally, having a feminine side does not constitute being a woman. What about her male side? Would that not reverse her back to he? Endless semantic tennis.
I am not a chauvanist, but we cannot change the word of God to suit our beliefs. Of course God has a nurturing spirit, much like a mother, but on that, does a father not nurture?
Anyways, the Bible uses the terms He, and Him. These are the words handed to us from God. Who are we to change them?
Thanks for your interest in the post and I truly hope that this does not sour you toward me.
I simply follow the Bible.

Edit: Please PM me with any further discussion on this non-issue. I really don't want this thread to go off-topic, least of all into a religious debate. Thanks.

[Bunnymonster]

According to the English grammar book we used at school it is acceptable to use he when the gender is indeterminate (sp?), such as the player should play cards from his hand etc. That said I'm not sure about if its alright to use Him to refer to a non existent entity.......................

Let the flaming begin

[Demophobe]

Why don't people respect each other? I asked kindly that this thread stay on-topic, and 5 minutes later, someone appears, ignoring my request.
Start your own thread if you wish.
Please, for the last time, on-topic posts.

[weatherman]

Very thoughtful questions.. sobering questions really. How do you reach the potential you think you have? I give a lot of credit to people who can tap into themselves and reach success. I seem to always be thinking about these things but to my fault, I don't do enough about it. I need to change that.