Korean Job Discussion Forums

Keepongoing · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Location: Korea

I was in Geckos on Friday and took an availble seat at the bar. Next to me was a korean woman and man who started up a conversation with me. They worked for the City Hall. As we were talking this attractive, middle aged Korean woman came up to us. She was their teacher. She disappeared and went and sat by this chap and struck up a conversation. Soon she left and brought back a bloke and sat him down by the chap. It became obvious that she was planting her students with foreigners so that they could practice their English.

I did not want to be rude, on the other hand I wanted to sit and enjoy my beer and not try to discern the students' attempt at English. Finally, the students asked me if I felt them to be boring.

I am not sure how wise this lady's choice was? Any techer there would not want to be bothered with giving English lessons in Geckos. At the samw time a little alcohol does seem to lower the affective filter.

She said she use to train flight attendants in Minneapolis.

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

This is bad.

I'd be friendly to the people.
But I'd tell the 'teacher' what I thought of her plan to use me.

Then, I'd try to get her back to my place after the session to 'conference' on our pedagogical experiences.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

That's a pretty smart idea: will they drop into 3A too do you think?

Free beer, chatting with an attractive lady?

peppermint · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 2:42 pm Post subject:

If the management of Geckos were smart, they'd politely ask the woman to leave and not retun with students. It's one thing to chat with a random Korean that wants to talk- no problem, but this is different.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

think of it as a cultural outing!

it sucks though, what if immigration came and tried to bust you, eventhough it isn't your class? that would suck.

peppermint · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 4:03 pm Post subject:

Taking a class to Itaewon might be a useful thing, though I find it sad that Koreans need exposure therapy to deal with foreigners (the standard treatment for phobias). Pawning them off on other teachers who are out enjoying their time off is what bothers me.

shakuhachi · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Sydney

Actually learning to speak Korean helps with situations like these. Whenever they speak English, just reply in Korean. If they say they want to learn English, then tell them you are at loggerheads.

I think I dont need to point out the hypocritical double standard of male English teachers in Korea getting angry when a K guy tries to use them for English, but dont mind when a hot K girl does the same.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Butterfly · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Kuwait

tommynomad · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Location: on the move

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I was at KYOBO BOOKSTORE once.. where a Korean man who was trying to find a native speaker to correct his business letter written in English.

He was going up to each and every foreigner in the bookstore asking them for a few minutes to edit this document.

He was extremely persistant. I looked at his document for a minute.. and it would have easily been a 20-minute job to even begin to attempt to correct just the largest of mistakes. Rolling Eyes

As you'd expect, no foreigner in the bookstore that day wanted to take on this meaty task.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

If I have time, and they are Uni-students in Kyobo or something. I'm often cool with it. If someone needs help with something and it's not too far out of my way I often do it.

Also, I can "understand" the logic of sending them to a foreigner bar. I think that taking them out of a classroom setting and getting them to interact is important.

What strikes me wrong about the whole thing is the apparent deception. Being chatted up as a teacher without knowing the intent rubs me wrong. If I knew what they wanted, I could make the choice.

PolyChronic Time Girl · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Location: Korea Exited

turtlepi1 · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

With the reputation of foreigners (ESL teachers) in Korea, I question the wisedom of taking the students to a foreigner bar.

Aside from that I think these outings are great. They do it all the time at the English schools in Canada. (I guess I shouldn't say all of Canada, but I have seen it in Halifax and Vancouver.)

Mind you, I guess the population in general are more friendly than ESL teachers. I keep forgetting there is a reason WHY they ran away from their own country. (j/k)

Cheers.