Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

If wives of foreign ambassadors are teaching English, then do they need a teaching visa? If they teach English for free, then do you care?

Embassies take active role in teaching English
A number of embassies and foreign educators are getting involved with teaching Koreans how to improve their English and knowledge of the world's different cultures,... Wives of foreign ambassadors and advisers in front of the Seoul English Village yesterday. Over cups of coffee, the committee brainstormed on the best ways students can experience life in foreign countries without the expense of traveling.

"For example, Australia's national day is on Jan. 26, so the day before we are planning on having a party and a special presentation to teach the kids about Australian culture," said Village Mayor Mary Louise Heseltine, the wife of Australian Ambassador Colin Heseltine.

Patty Hill, the wife of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill, said that despite the heavy presence of American pop-culture in Korea, face-to-face relationships are rare.
By Andrew Petty and Jonathan Dart, Korea Herald (January 18, 2005)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/01/18/200501180030.asp

[matko]

[Wangja]

Good evening ladies and gemtlemen (hic)

Can I have you attention PLEASE

My name is Les Padderson that's Pee-Aye-Tee-Tee-Eee-Ar-Ess-Oh-Enn and I (hic) have the honour to be (hic)

the Australian Cultural Attache

to the Court of St James .... (hic, hic)

[fandeath]

What/who makes these housewives qualified experts?

[jaykimf]

[Real Reality]

Patty Hill, the wife of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill, said that despite the heavy presence of American pop-culture in Korea, face-to-face relationships are rare. "A lot of Koreans don't have direct experience with American culture," she said. "The more we can create opportunities for interaction, the more understanding people will have. "Having shared experiences and shared understanding between our two countries can only benefit people. It provides an opportunity to think outside our usual way of trying to let people know what we're about."

Or, as the assistant principal at Seoul American Middle School, Samia Mounts, put it, "Koreans will get the sense that the U.S. is not just cowboys and Indians."

The committee will be led by Heseltine and honorary chairwoman Kim Yoon-ok, the wife of Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak. Also participating are representatives from the South African, New Zealand, Australian, British and American embassies, as well as Shoba Ponnappa, from the British Council.

Wives of foreign ambassadors and advisers: Maria Kubheka (South Africa); Seoul City official Lee Bong-hwa; the Australian Embassy's public diplomacy director, Park Yong-sook; English Village Mayor Mary Louise Heseltine (Australia); the Herald Academy's president, Hong Sung-ah; Kim Yoon-ok, the wife of Seoul City's mayor; Sohn Jung-hee, the wife of Herald Media publisher Hong Jung-wook; Patricia Hill (United States); Theresa Taylor (New Zealand); Carolyn La Brash (Canada); British Council Director Shoba Ponnappa; the assistant principal from Seoul American Middle School, Samia Mounts; Pam Morris (Britain); and professor Hong Yun-sook from Hanyang University.
By Andrew Petty and Jonathan Dart, Korea Herald (January 18, 2005)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/01/18/200501180030.asp

[JongnoGuru]

Frankly, I don't know quite where you're running with this one, RR. I was sort of expecting to see some breathless rant along the lines of: "As if low pay wasn't bad enough, now we've got wives of foreign ambassadors horning in on our jobs!!"