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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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BigBuds
Joined: 15 Sep 2005
Location: Changwon
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 Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 12:25 am Post subject: |
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| koreatimes wrote: |
Second, people with problems are more likely to leave so on google searches you will find more people complaining, whereas those who are enjoying Korea use Naver instead.
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Where'd you get that idea from?
I know plenty of people who enjoy Korea but would never or hardly ever use Naver, myself included and I've been here ten years. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Why such a range of different experiences in Korea? |
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| southernman wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| ewlandon wrote: |
T
So why do you think so many people seem to have an amazing time and so many people seem to have a hellish time. There doesnt seem to be much in the middle. |
It's very simple. Those who work hard, and seek to improve their qualifications and their situation will generally do so. And to be honest...it's really not all that hard. All it requires is some time/money and half-decent thinking skills. These people are also more likely to have decent bosses/co-workers.
While those who don't bother to improve either at their job or in terms of personal qualifications eventually realize that all they are eligible for are low paying entry jobs and that "putting time in" isn't all that is required anymore. These people are also less likely to have decent co-workers/bosses. |
I used to generally believe that as well. However, from March to August I worked with a head co-teacher who said among other things 'no westerner has real qualifications and that all westerners are hopeless'. I have 5 different qualifications after my name, she only allowed me to give 2 to the POE. Then took me to the VP and complained that like all westerners I didn't want to give my qualifications to the POE.
We had major disagreements and arguments basically because I will be talked down to or belittled by anyone. She even tried to belittle me in front of our students, hense our first full on disagreement (after class). I am no longer in Korea and in all probability will never return. I'm kinda screwed anyway because I wasn't re-signed by my POE. My Open Class was good so it was down to my co-teachers and VP's comments.
You can get screwed in Korea, just like in any job or in any country, don't forget that. I have a passion for teaching and will take my knowledge and skill set elsewhere. I'm lucky enough to have four years experience with 3 very good references from Korea. I'm just relaxing on an extended vacation. I will apply for good jobs in the Middle East or other decent paying jobs.
If you come up against an ethnocentric or worse co-teacher you either have 3 options (in my opinion), quit, take it or fight back. The previous 2 western teachers at my school did the former, I did the latter. Both wrote online about their experiences. |
You will notice that I said "generally" and "more likely" in regards to people having good qualifications=better experiences. And while I'm sorry to hear about your most recent job experience I have to say that this posts supports my point more than it detracts.
You say you have five different qualifications. You also said that that you have 4 years of experience with 3 very good references. In other words 75% of your experience here was largely positive. I'd say 75% falls within the parameters of "generally" and "more likely".
(bolding mine for emphasis). |
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Adventurer
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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| BigBuds wrote: |
| koreatimes wrote: |
Second, people with problems are more likely to leave so on google searches you will find more people complaining, whereas those who are enjoying Korea use Naver instead.
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Where'd you get that idea from?
I know plenty of people who enjoy Korea but would never or hardly ever use Naver, myself included and I've been here ten years. |
I think too many people want to project on to others their own experiences. With thousands of foreign teachers, you're going to have so much diversity. I've been in Korea for some years. My Korean is not good enough for being on Naver. I would be able to read some of it. However, most NET if they've been around for a few years would know survival Korean. That's generally how it is from my experience. They can form some sentences about themselves, order food, order delivery pizza in many cases. While a minority can read a lot of Korean, can have a decent conversation here and there, without their Korean being too broken.
As far as Korea, you're very likely to run into various problems as an EFL instructor. However, so many have a pretty good experience. More people would have a good experience, I reckon, if the Korean government enforced its labor, tax, and pension laws more in order to protect EFL and non-EFL employees in South Korea. That's a major problem. |
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alwaysgood
Joined: 15 Aug 2011
Location: Changwon
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Adventurer"]
| BigBuds wrote: |
| koreatimes wrote: |
Second, people with problems are more likely to leave so on google searches you will find more people complaining, whereas those who are enjoying Korea use Naver instead.
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Where'd you get that idea from?
I know plenty of people who enjoy Korea but would never or hardly ever use Naver, myself included and I've been here ten years. |
I think too many people want to project on to others their own experiences. With thousands of foreign teachers, you're going to have so much diversity. I've been in Korea for some years. My Korean is not good enough for being on Naver. I would be able to read some of it. However, most NET if they've been around for a few years would know survival Korean. That's generally how it is from my experience. They can form some sentences about themselves, order food, order delivery pizza in many cases. While a minority can read a lot of Korean, can have a decent conversation here and there, without their Korean being too broken./quote]
Some people might use Naver some of the time, but I don't know any NETs that would use it instead of Google on a regular basis. |
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