Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

[waggo]

[Toby]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Derrek wrote:

[ajuma]

The Great Wall of Whiner: Great summary!

I just want to add that Koreans don't hate AMERICANS...it's American POLITICS that piss them off!

[textin]

Firstly, I never said anything about wanting to change Korean value systems. I said it was a little sad. Sad for the Koreans I mean, but I never said I wanted to see it changed. Let history run its course.

The Koreans often feel belittled and cornered by their 'ally' the USA, but still they cower to ideals such as learning an American accent (its not so much American English as the differences can be annexed on a single sheet of paper). They do so whilst the rest of the World continues to grow at greater rates than the severally over-leveraged US economy and offers them more in the way of open opportunities anyway.

Its so much wanting to change ��Korean values�� more their apparent lack of values in this matter.

Another person mentioned that because America has done so much for this Country (had soldiers here etc...), Koreans feel American English is the obvious choice.....It always amazes me how ignorant a 'patriotic' American can be...there was and has always been a sustained effort by a wide range of developed Nations in the rebuilding and growth of Korea. The make up of foreigners here has always been diverse.

Anyway, the fact remains, any Native speaker with good teaching skills can coach a class of Koreans into all the English they need. Even TOEIC...and yes I have done it...and obviously I am not an American.

In fact I currently have a great job, teaching adults and I have never been asked to speak American or Canadian. The books we use are Longman (Queen��s English). I was in fact hired because I came from the same Country as the last teacher who impressed the boss so much. No Americans on my turf.

Most of those arguments given don��t count anyway, as the majority of teachers here are Canadian not American.

Cracks me up also how Canadians will bad mouth Americans whenever they get the chance but swear allegiance when going for an ESL job...

[mindmetoo]

[Toby]

[textin]

I guess, ultimately, it must suck being from a nation that once used to rule the world and now barely matters on the international scene. And finding proof of your own international irrelevance. Suck it up.[/quote]

Your presumption that I am from England is entertaining. The directionless thinker will always resort to predefined views to strengthen their argument.

The actual fact is it doesn��t matter where I am from. I merely wished to point out that Koreans would do better in this world to open up their view of it, especially in regards to the 'accent' they learn. I reiterate my point that any good teacher from any Native speaking Country can teach a Korean ESL student all they need to know about English, even TOEIC exams.

I have met bad teachers from all Countries and good teachers from all Countries, Ireland included. In fact a damn good teacher from Ireland.

In regards to your comments about American economic stability, I have a lot to say on that matter. The US economy is only as stable as the rest of the Countries it deals with. Take away them and America would starve almost overnight, well lose 100pounds per capita anyway.

I have been thinking of a new post on this topic actually. The US trade deficit is not stable. The dollar is sinking in value as a result. When considering interest rates also, it is quite a complex topic but from what I have read it all comes down to the fact that the US si determined to maintain unjustified levels of consumption and is basically selling dangerous amounts of financial assets to do so. Its called greed, but the politicians and fed reserve have all sorts of other names and explanations for it. Basically no president will be elected or re-elected who has the courage to stand up and say, our over consumption (greed) is currently ruining us...They simply attempt to sell more domestic financial assets and hope it doesn��t all collapse in the near future. The falling dollar is the net price the US is paying. And this is not stable. It has in fact been causing havoc in International financial markets.

That leads me to another topic I have been contemplating....US foreign policy. When one looks at all the various decisions made in different areas the only sensible conclusion is that US foreign policy is designed ultimately to maximize the economic gain of the US itself. As problems increase at home (loss of manufacturing jobs, jobs in general, difficulty finding more financial assets to sell-this includes stocks, bonds etc, and of course the falling dollar), US foreign policy becomes more and more desperate. This culminated recently or course in the invasion of another Country (a large oil producer oddly enough) under false pretences.

The facts and figures all speak for themselves, its the rhetoric c from mainstream US media and politicians that is amusing.

If the US actually came out and actually said honestly "we simply don��t want to lose our level on consumption and we will be voted out if we do, so are fighting and manipulating by all means possible to maintain our current position", it would all make perfect sense. But then no one is going to do that because it will make it harder to sell financial assets in the economy and thus cause exactly what they don��t want to happen. No leader of the opposition will work on that platform either as they will not get elected.

So the dollar slides and the deficit rises and the US sells more and more of its own soil (assets) to remain 60% overweight. Trimming down is too painful, but its happening slowly anyway.

Anyway, aside from all that, I think its nice to see young Americans traveling and working overseas without having to wear a military uniform with a commander yelling patriotic slogans in their ears and carrying guns for security. Its something that has been lacking on Americans' part for some time....too cushy at home. And it gives a new generation of Americans the chance to learn more about the World they actually live in.

As the US economy continues to deflate, more young graduates will be encouraged to look at other job markets and will most likely broaden their views. What we are witnessing I guess is the slow opening up of that over protected beast.

China have done a great job in providing a new counterweight.

Koreans would probably be well advised to learn English with a Chinese accent if they can. America could be become a close second, but like I said originally, any native speaker who can teach can do just as good a job. And if they come from a Country with a lower dollar, there is also a good chance they will work harder and be less 'precious'. And most probably 60 pounds lighter which takes up less space in the classroom and makes for higher levels on motivation.

[gypsyfish]

[Ya-ta Boy]

textin wrote:

The actual fact is it doesn��t matter where I am from.

You are right on this one.

I merely wished to point out that Koreans would do better in this world to open up their view of it, especially in regards to the 'accent'...

I would expand your point that it would be good for Koreans (and all other nationalities for that matter) to open up their view of the world. More globalized thinking and less narrow, nationalistic thinking on everyone's part would be healthy.

As regards accent, my opinion is that Koreans and other English learners should only have to deal with the most commonly spoken accents from the major English-speaking countries.

In regards to your comments about American economic stability, I have a lot to say on that matter. The US economy is only as stable as the rest of the Countries it deals with. Take away them and America would starve almost overnight, well lose 100pounds per capita anyway.

Here you are demonstrating a woeful lack of knowledge about the American economy and the part it plays in the world economy. Woeful. On the first part, you have it backwards. The US economy is so large that much of the rest of the world is affected far more by its dynamism than the reverse. For example, if Korea reduces its imports from America, it doesn't affect the whole US economy. If the US reduces its imports from Korea, the whole Korean economy suffers. Look at newspaper articles from the last year. One of the contributing factors for Korea's slow economy last year was the decline in sales to the US.

And now for the big one:

Take away them and America would starve almost overnight, well lose 100pounds per capita anyway.

The US exports major amounts of food: wheat, corn, rice, beef, pork. American imports of food are almost entirely limited to tropical foods like sugar and bananas. In fact, Korea is an important market for American food exports. It's very likely that a large portion of the food you eat here is produced in the American midwest. (Right now the beef you eat here comes from Australia, thanks to that cow from Canada.)

I have been thinking of a new post on this topic actually. The US trade deficit is not stable. The dollar is sinking in value as a result. When considering interest rates also, it is quite a complex topic but from what I have read it all comes down to the fact that the US si determined to maintain unjustified levels of consumption and is basically selling dangerous amounts of financial assets to do so. Its called greed,... The falling dollar is the net price the US is paying. And this is not stable. It has in fact been causing havoc in International financial markets.


What you said is true enough, but you didn't mention all the important factors. For example, the huge federal deficit the US is running ($475 billion at last report) must be considered here. A foolish administration that reduced taxes then increased spending is at fault. Second, you must consider that the US wants a cheap dollar at this point. It makes it cheaper to repay the loans the US is running up. Borrow expensive dollars and pay back with cheap ones. (Good bookkeeping maybe, but frightenly shortsighted.)

Anyway, aside from all that, I think its nice to see young Americans traveling and working overseas... it gives a new generation of Americans the chance to learn more about the World they actually live in.


Do you really think that if 10,000 or even 20,000 young Americans came to Asia to teach that it would have any influence at all on the almost 300 million back home? You are very optimistic.

China have done a great job in providing a new counterweight.

That's kind of amusing. I don't know of a single ESL teacher who would like to have a world dominated by the Korean economy. From what little I know of the Chinese economy/society, it is remarkably similar to the Korean.


Koreans would probably be well advised to learn English with a Chinese accent if they can. America could be become a close second, but like I said originally, any native speaker who can teach can do just as good a job. And if they come from a Country with a lower dollar, there is also a good chance they will work harder and be less 'precious'. And most probably 60 pounds lighter which takes up less space in the classroom and makes for higher levels on motivation.

I don't have any response to that paragraph. I included it just because I thought it is cute.

One further comment:
Everyone seems to think that there are more Canadian teachers in Korea now. So why did this topic devolve into another 'bash the US'? Why aren't the Brits and the Aussies jumping all over the Canadians? They are the ones who are benefitting from the North American preference.

[jajdude]

Don't most students understand the "Konglish" pronunciation better than English?

Some kids don't understand my correct pronunciation. But when I say "suh tu rangee" for "strange" or "asukuhs" for "asks" then they get it.

[Hollywoodaction]

[endofthewor1d]

[Neil]

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