Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Skaborough]

As a Canadian who has worked in PR, Communications and Sales for a number off years I have noticed the battle over the use of "the Queen's", British english (in theory the Canadian version), and the American version. For the most part the differences are in spelling and regional dialects, but some of my former colleagues it was a matter of great concern and passion.

What is the more popular version in Korea? I would imagine that the US variant is more popular. Would I run into problems as someone who naturally leans in the direcction of the Queens english?

Payce

[denverdeath]

You may have some students tell you that you spelled "colour" incorrectly or sth, but it's not that big of a deal. Tell 'em they're both correct. Canadians are inundated with American media anyway, so you should have no problem with your explanations.

[cruisemonkey]

As with spelling, I use pronunciation as a teaching opportunity.

For example, I tell my students the letter 'Z' is pronounced "zee" in the USA and "zed" in Canada. I tell them that both are right.

Conversely, I 'flip out' when someone from the 'States' says "Let me axe you a question."

[plattwaz]

A couple of the schools I have taught at have refused to hire Brits because they were so insistent on American English only (it's what the parents want, the kids can't understand the British accent, blah blah blah).

Then these same schools have used British English grammar textbooks for the students without having any clue whatsoever as to the content of the book. This of course, put many of the N.A. teachers in awkward classes as we were teaching the use of "have got," which is very British in use and not what we say in N.A. (We just say "have" instead).

So in other words, as long as your accent is North American, the schools don't know the difference at all. There ARE lots of schools who will hire British teachers but I also do know of lots who prefer not to. (Which I personally think is quite ridiculous...).

[poet13]

I dont think it matters which you teach, as long as you are consistent. Teach British, American, Australian, or the far superior Canadian.

I do however have some slight issues with some of the more archaic British vocabulary... like "lorry".

[Skaborough]

[ajgeddes]

[poet13]

I teach as formally and properly as I know how, but I also let the students know (where appropriate), that there are options. I reserve time in an advanced class each week for street talk and slang. "Wassup", "how's it hangin", "boy got sack", "boy got game", "biatch!" "my old bag", etc. I also tell them where banmal starts and stops.

[JLarter]

I had a school tell me on an interview that I'd have to change my accent because I was English to an American accent. What a load of crap. If I'm teaching English, then I'm going to teach it properly, not American, but ENGLISH

[huffdaddy]

Strangely enough, it seems to me that a majority of the ESL books are from Britain. Lots of trousers and lorries. Or is it just me?

[Hyeon Een]

I teach a freshman beginners English University class and the textbook has apparantely been written by Canadians. It includes words like 'toque', a word I didn't learn until I came to Korea..

[UncleAlex]

Before the students grapple with Queen's English or Uncle Sam's English,
they've "gotta" overcome Korea's brand of English, which is Konglish.

[Big Mac]

What we speak in Canada is hardly "Queen's English." It's American English.

On paper, it may have some similarities to British English, but in spelling only. Our usage is the same as the Americans. Even some of the spellings are American, like "civilization" as opposed to "civilisation."

It does seem that Koreans lean towards using American spellings on signs and books, etc. And my school always expected me to use American spellings because that's what the parents wanted. But I would tell the students that the Americans don't know how to spell properly and the rest of the world does, and I would show them the difference.

[ChopChaeJoe]

I think that if a teacher can get students to the level of recognizing the differences between the more relaxed American English and the more brittle British English, then that teacher is doing her job pretty well.