Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lemonade]

[SuperHero]

I forget who wrote them but the two points of advice that I most support in this thread are to initiate eye contact before talking and that the first thing they should say is excuse me.

[SPINOZA]

[Lemonade]

[SPINOZA]

[tomato]

Spinoza, the content of your post is very good,
but I thought that the purpose of this thread was to gather material for a handbook for Koreans speaking to foreigners, not for foreigners speaking to Koreans.
DJ Two Tone, am I right?

PS Spinoza, have you ever worked for the Brainy English chain?
According to one of their storybooks, Olympus Mons is a volcano in which the crater is full of ���̴�, and the people on Mars enjoy a cool and relaxing swim in the ���̴�.
I hope you always get to enjoy a cool and relaxing swim after a hard day's work.

[SPINOZA]

[matthews_world]

I have learned from my students both young and old, is that when they attempt to speak English to a foreigner for a first time, Koreans are quite timid.

A common phrase muttered in speech is: "I'm sorry, my English is poor."

Foreigners already know that they are not native speakers, so one of the golden rules I teach is that they shouldn't worry about apologizing. They should be pro-active and be meeting other natives.

[coolsage]

Teaching English is only some of our mandate here. The rest lies in imparting confidence in using the language. Encouraging students to speak up, to overcome their timidity, can produce impressive results. If one is around long enough to see progress, some come back from Nova Scotia raving about the music festivals and Tim Horton's blueberry muffins. If you can create an ambience within which the student feels comfortable about using English with a NS, he/she will do well in the larger world. Hell, once these students get out from under the repressive educational system that exists here, they very often shine.

[Porter_Goss]

[steroidmaximus]

You should teach them the more proper forms of greeting that will generally elicit more positive responses i.e. the standard formal ones taught to children in general:

-Good Morning
-Good Afternoon
-Good Evening

Hi and Hello are generally used more frequently between peers and friends and denote familiarity, and should be taught as such just as they are to children in our respective countries. Remember, we aren't reinventing the wheel, we're sharing situational, contextual usage of language. Saying Good Morning is considered by all as better mannered and exhibiting a more proper upbringing, and generally will dispose a person (often subconciously) to look more favorably at the speaker, especially if there is an obvious disparity in social standing, such as between a child and an adult. Hi uttered by a child, while not rude, does lead the listener in some cases to presume that the child is from a lower class, less priveledged background, or has been poorly taught.

English is also loaded with class distinctions, just as Korean, and as teachers it's our job to teach our students the differences. They should know that they will be judged by the type of language they use, and should be properly prepared. Teach them to avoid gender specific language for example, such as housewife, policeman, fireman, etc. Teach them that being well mannered will almost always pay off in spades.

Teach them that we are all people, and that if they approach us as they would any other person, they'll generally receive a positive response.

and yes, teach them that sometimes it is inappropriate to randomly approach strangers on the street, and to expect them to talk and respond. Maybe that person is in a rush, busy, or doesn't feel like talking. Just like any other person.

[Hater Depot]