Korean Job Discussion Forums

[denverdeath]

The last place I worked at was an adult hakwon. I was there for three years and had a month-end party every month except when I was on vacation. On day one of each class I would say:

"All classes will meet at 9pm(or whatever) and we'll go for some cheap sahm-gyuhp-sahl and soh-joo and beer for the first round. We choose the cheap place because not everyone's rich, myself included. Everyone pitches in and, if necessary, teacher will make up the difference. Anyone who doesn't want to go, doesn't have to go. Anyone who doesn't like alcohol, can drink Coke or water. Anyone who doesn't like sahm-gyuhp-sahl, can order dwen-jahng-jjih-gay and rice. Anyone who has a curfew, can go whenever they wish. Anyone who gets bored, can leave early. Anyone who tries to force me to drink in a way I don't wish to drink, will get a punch in the head. Anyone who whiningly tries to force me to go to a noh-ray-bahng, will get a punch in the head. However, if there are some noh-ray-bahng killers in the group, you can make your own noh-ray-bahng group and go sing without me. When we have pitchers of beer, teacher will show you how to pour said beer without have the glass 90% filled with foam. Teacher will do his best flying from table to table in his social butterfly role to ensure that no class feels left out. Teacher would prefer that seating is completely chaotic so that students can meet someone new. You can speak any language you wish. Teacher will do his best to understand any Korean and try to respond as best as he can, but will tend to use either English or French as they are the languages he is most familiar with."

As the night went on, and we got to third or fourth round, the group was very small, but those students were the ones who wanted to come every month even if they were in another teacher's class. Fortunately, I have no allergies and had no problem sharing dishes when one class and I would occasionally go to one of the pricier places. Usu we'd have an average of 15-20 in our party. Sometimes as low as three and as high as 30. We always had a blast.

As others have said, I would recommend showing your students a bit of the Western way as well as being a bit sensitive of the Korean way. But, most importantly, have a good time and don't worry so much about pleasing everyone. Tell your students on day one what you're allergic to and you might be surprised how they go out of their way to pick a place that you'll like. Remember, just because you're in Rome, doesn't mean you're Roman. I also recommend that you bring 'em all down to the Vinyl at 2am and see how wide their eyes get when they see all the freaky foreigners there. Also, they won't have a (comfortable) seat and there will be no ahn-joo for them to enjoy. Try it.

[Ya-ta Boy]

One thing I forgot to mention: once you have sorted through the A list, the B list and the C list, you are down to having the names, and phone numbers if you are smart, of the interesting people. Exploit it to your advantage.

The A list people are the ones you felt are worth having for friends. They are funny, or eccentric or whatever your standard is. Call them up on a Thursday night and ask them out for a weekend dinner and drinks. Caution: The best is with one, or at the very most, two people. Pour a little soju and ask a provocative question or two and sit back. Watch the most interesting part of Korean culture emerge.

I don't care how much soju you pour into a kindie kid, you are not going to get much in return. In fact, even high school kids don't have that much to share, so save your W3,000 on soju. The return on investment is not worth it.

However, with an adult, it is well worth your time to go out for a dinner and drinks. You will get a bird's eye view of Korean culture and life that you can't get any other way.

One other bit of advice: Koreans want to practice their English--and even more, make an emotional contact with a foreigner. If you are the type who insists that your English is more interesting, stay at home with Arirang TV or go to a foreigner bar yet again. Ask a good question, then STF up, and listen. You will hear what it is like to live in this country. That's what you day dreamed about before you got off the plane, isn't it?

[Bee Positive]

One other bit of advice: Koreans want to practice their English--and even more, make an emotional contact with a foreigner. If you are the type who insists that your English is more interesting, stay at home with Arirang TV or go to a foreigner bar yet again. Ask a good question, then STF up, and listen. You will hear what it is like to live in this country. That's what you day dreamed about before you got off the plane, isn't it?[/quote]


Actually, no. I was daydreaming about no longer being an unemployed English major in Seattle.

I'll admit though that my post WAS something of a drunken rant. Let's just say that I'm a lover of freedom and like to be in environments where I can speak freely, think freely, eat and drink freely as appropriate, within the obvious limits dictated by modesty and decorum and a respect for the rights and feelings of others.

You'd perhaps never guess it, but I've been accused of being courteous to a fault. Hyper-polite. Many times. I suppose you could say that I attempt to respect others and very much wish to see that respect reciprocated.

You DO make some very good points about the value of adult contacts.

I had my teeth cleaned and scaled (they've never been so white!) completely free of charge a couple of months ago. I was tutoring a dentist at the time. (Again, completely legal, since it was set up by the hakwon I work for on-site: no need for any flames on this point!)

Fundamentally, I guess I don't do well in Korea. I prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. Meanwhile, I'm socking away the won. It's a tour of duty. It's not forever.

[some waygug-in]

I tried to avoid those "outings" as much as possible, my first year here. But there were times when I couldn't weasle out and I had to go. I can't say that I found these things stressful, boring, yes.......sometimes.

There are times when I've gone out and had a great time with students, but that was last year....... my first year it wasn't so easy.

Some of my classes even expected me to go out with them on a Wed or Thurs, because I was already booked for Friday.

This didn't work well while doing a split shift and having to teach at 7:00 am, but then again
I did have a valid excuse to leave early....

I used the "have to meet my girlfriend" excuse a lot that year as well.

[Privateer]

[Universalis]

I stopped going out with students a long time ago. It used to be fun - and hey, who doesn't like getting paid to go out for dinner during class hours? - but now I find the dynamic to be just too painful to endure. It's always the same: everyone jockeys for a seat next to me and the "lucky" few will pepper me with personal questions all night long (you know the drill, I'm sure), while the rest have a look of disappointment on their faces the entire night because they don't have a foreigner to talk to.

I just can't be bothered to deal with that kind of stuff anymore... so on the last day of the month when our school is empty because most of the teachers have gone out with their students, I stay in class. "Gotta finish the book," I tell the students.

Brian

[Chow]

[Tiger Beer]

I never have a problem with socializing with students.

Always the same.. we're getting taeji-galbi or sam-gyap-sal PLUS beer. People can drink soju, but I'll be having beer.

I won't be teaching.. but I'll join in any conversation anywhere that involved English. I won't be in a teacher's role however.

After eating, we'll go to a place of my choice and order pitchers of beer. Usually I outlast them and then go hit the places of my choice with a full stomach and good beer buzz going on!

[Ya-ta Boy]

[jacl]

I don't know too many foreigners here, but all three that I've hung out with the most owe me money. Deadbeats.