Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jurassic5]

here's an article i just read online about teaching middle school girls. you can check it out at http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200305/28/200305280039591209900091009101.html

is this typical of middle school girls?

[Zyzyfer]

Yea. He should try teaching middle school girls in a middle school. If I was a stud, I'd have it made, but since I'm an ugly bugger, it's hell on earth.

[katydid]

Jurassic5..,in a word to answer your question...

Yes.

Man, those people in EPIK and who teach above the elementary school kid level are BRAVE...you could not pay me a bazillion won to set foot in a middle school and try to keep kids in line!

Just my opinion....

[Circus Monkey]

<--------------------

*Ponders how well I would do in a middle school*

CM

[jurassic5]

[kylehawkins2000]

What a humurous article. I suppose it is typical in some respects. I've taught some Middle School girl classes at a Hogwan and had some pretty good experiences in general. Like any students, they have certain things they like to talk about and if you can tap into you're set. It can be pretty difficult to tap into what they are into though if you are male......perhaps women have a 'one up' on us in such situations.

One of the classes I had were dominated by a couple of girls that seemed to have some sort of crush on me though.....so that made life a little easier....if somewhat awkward at times.

[Michelle]

Hey all,

I have found this to be one of the MOST DISAPPOINTING ASPECTS of living in Korea.

Oh my god, you come all this way to teach them something only to have them worry ONLY about looks, clothes and makeup.

When I say ONLY, usually that would be an exaggeration. But after much searching (and I mean a lot) for some other important aspect of their lives I have come to an astounding conclusion.

There is nothing else. Their lives are shallow.

And for all the importance they place on it, many of them can't use makeup properly (although many do pack it on), and many of them have fashion sense that is about 10 years younger then them.

I'm teaching university freshman, and after reading a post on this cafe, I just have to have a sense of humour about it, and when I'm talking about these things (since of course nothing else is of interest in class), treat them at least five years younger.

A final note, the ultimate insult was from a student who saw me on campus and said I look like a freshman. I was insulted.

It must have been the sneakers as I was coming back from the gym. Thats what I like to think.

Should I give as good as I get when it comes to these comments that (maybe) have good intentions?

[Zyzyfer]

[Austin]

Did I miss something somewhere? People tend to be shallow most everywhere.

A few recent university case studies in the U.S., proved appearance is a major factor in the workplace, especially in the hiring process. The studies did not really prove anything that most people did not already know, rather people just did not want to believe the worst of themselves.

Societies have been largely superficial for centuries. One might attempt to deny it, but after viewing the recent increased rates in cosmetic surgery, the booming sales of beauty products, and the consumption of goods in the diet industry, is it really a shocker?

To characterize this rift as Korean is grossly unfair and misleading. If you are a Caucasian in Korea and remotely attractive, life is rather wonderful. Many opportunities will come your way that would not have if you were in your home country.

Would you ever be approached to do a television show back home, be asked to model, or be an extra in a major movie?

In Korea, more opportunities exist for more people, than what would have been at home with few exceptions.

Teaching is no different. If students find you visually appealing, fascinating, and hip, class will be much easier, but that is the case in any country. Students in the states judge their teachers by what type of car they drive, the clothes they wear, their appearance, etc., and though it might not be viewed as "fair," the masses perpetuate this superficial behavior daily.

We discriminate 24/7. We show preference constantly from the foods that we like to eat to the company of people that we care to keep.

Though I agree that all people need to be loved, I am not an equal opportunity employer. I know the people that I would not care to get to know and socialize with on a regular basis. It does not mean that I am better, but just that I am discerning. "No" company is far better than "bad" company!

Those girls had an idea of what they wanted in a teacher and that other person was not it, so let us move forward, or gouge out our eyes so we can discriminate by smell or touch instead. Either way, one is not going to change the reality of our current world.

Some people say that we should have never left the trees, while others claim that we should have stayed in the water!

SCSA

[William Beckerson]

I usually do my best to make their lives hell for the first little while. They know they cant possibly be as nasty to me as I am to them, so they learn not to mess with me.

Eventually I walk out with something similar to respect... or at least fear.

[Homer]

Michelle,

Do you not think that all you have said about Korean middle school girls and their shallowness could just as easily and thruthfully be applied to western teenage girls?
How many "deep" teens did you encounter back home?

[Anda]

I did two years teaching at a girls middle school and had a great time. Teaching mixed classes at a high school now and still find girls the best to teach.

[Zyzyfer]

[The Lemon]

[Circus Monkey]