Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Marcilla]

[SPINOZA]

[denverdeath]

If the last poster was being nitpicky, I guess I'm really being nitpicky. Pretty good letter, but look at the couple of slight changes I made and sound them out in your head and go with whichever sounds better to you. Pics are good now! I'd go with either two or four if I were you.

[runaway]

[I guess that I'm not that worried about little kids.. they aren't usually that hard to control so long as you have a cool head, just annoying. I'd imagine that adults wouldn't be that interested in working hard and learning, and teenagers would have an attidue problem, so I'll go with whatever decent-sounding job I can find]

Are you really sure you want to teach at all? I haven't had much experience with 'little kids' so i'll leave that one alone - but as for the generalisation that adults won't work hard or be interested and that teenagers have attitude problems - I suggest it may be you with the attitude problem.

Teaching isn't just about turning up and delivering a heap of material so you can pick up a pay check!

I already feel sorry for your students[/quote]

[Marcilla]

Thanks again for all the feedback

As for being a good teacher, I dunno

It's really rewarding to have at least one student who's genuinely interested in learning, and to help them through something

Those other generalizations were just from what I read on the forums

Anyway with any luck I'll become Great Teacher Marcilla

[Shooter McGavin]

I think that something worth considering before you come here that hasn't really been mentioned is how you will be perceived here. You should have no problems from the kids, but don't expect it to be anything like University. I taught Public Admin at my old Uni, and it was good. The kids were brutally lazy, but the Prof worked with me, told me what he expected, let me get to that however I wanted, and supported me when I had questions and concerns. You know, a relationship with dialogue and direction. Don't expect these things in a hagwon. No one will tell you what you're doing until about 5 minutes before you do it. If you have suggestions about how things could be better (ex: how to make the Christmas Party more authentic, seeing as you lived through many Christmases), don't expect anyone to listen. I have an MA, my coworker has a PhD, yet people are amazed when we can print a piece of paper or send an email. Expect random interventions from Korean teachers with "concerns" they have about your teaching, and how it doesn't match their "methodology." Of course, you would have no way of knowing, because no one will ever tell you what the methodology actually is, and you naturally will have received no training. If you view yourself as a professional, like I do, this can be a bitter pill to swallow. My stress level has declined considerably since I gave up trying, and I am admittedly going through the motions now. It's a pitiful attitude no doubt, but it's the only thing that keeps me sane.
Ask yourself this: could I work a job where people around me don't respect what I do, and provide no assistance, training or direction? Can I read minds?
Of course, there is no guarantee that this will happen to you. This is my experience. It is the experience of many others on this board as well, so now you have been warned that it COULD happen to you.
And yes I'm bitter. I didn't work hard to be the first in my family ever with a post-graduate degree only to become a hagwon monkey. I can deal with most of the stuff in Korea that really bugs the other posters on this board, but the lack of respect I get at work really gets me mad.

[Alias]

[Shooter McGavin]

[Marcilla]

Well, I'd feel the way you do if they treated me like that at an engineering job, but hopefully it won't be so bad as a teacher, since I'm not a professional like you

Honestly it's less about the teaching for me and more that I want to get some sort of new experiences under my belt, and this just sounds like a really good way to do that

I should be okay so long as there's a curriculum to follow.. just spend lots of time going through it, and helping people with their pronunciation, right?

First

First

First

First

okay, that'll work

Survival

Sur vI val

survival

survival

survival

surrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr vival
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
okay, you got it

survival

This is survival english

survival

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

survival english

is survival

That's what it's like with my Korean friends in America anyway

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Marcilla]

Hello everyone, just incorporating your feedback into another draft

I've been so lazy these last few months.. for every day I spent 12 hours working on a project in EE, I think I've spent two or three days getting up at noon and then playing video games most of the day, walking the dog, and going to bed at 3 am

Subject: Application to English teaching positions in Korea

Body:
Dear Mr. Lee,

Please find in the enclosed attachments to this email my full resume and a recent photograph in response to the job advertisements on Dave's ESL Cafe for positions teaching English. My name is Ray Marcilla, and I currently live in Washington State, in the North West of the United States. I'm a native English speaker. I recently graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

I would like to see some of the world outside of the US, and I think teaching English in Korea would be an excellent way to learn about Korea's culture and language.

As far as applicable experience, I have tutored many of my friends on Electrical Engineering, Math, and Physics. Also, I've studied Spanish and Japanese, so I'm familiar with many of the difficulties of learning a foreign language.

I'm very enthusiastic about finding a job, and eagerly await your response. I've attached a copy of my resume for your review.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
- Ray Marcilla

Attached: (resume)

As for someone being burned out on dealing with administrative BS, hang in there buddy <3

Edit: I think I'll use this picture, btw
http://students.washington.edu/mnrtyman/pub/suit_expr2.jpg

Should I just attach it to the e-mails I send out applying to jobs, or should I send them the link?

[justagirl]

I think you mention your attached resume 3 times in this latest draft of your cover letter. How about:

Dear Mr. Lee,
I recently saw your job openings posted on Dave's ESL Cafe, and would like to apply for an English teaching position. My name is Ray Marcilla, and I currently live in Washington state, which is in the Northwest of the United States.

I am a native English speaker and I recently graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

I believe I would be a good educator, as I already have applicable experience in teaching. I have tutored many of my friends in Electrical Engineering, Math, and Physics. Also, I've studied Spanish and Japanese, so I'm familiar with many of the difficulties of learning a foreign language.

On a more personal note, I am an honest, reliable, and energetic person and I'm interested in seeing some of the world outside of the United States. I think teaching English in Korea would be an excellent way to learn about Korea's culture and language.

I'm enthusiastic about finding a suitable job in Korea and working for a reputable school. I've attached a copy of my resume for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you very soon,
- Ray Marcilla

Attached: (resume)

[Marcilla]

oh, good call

okay, I changed it to this:

(it's not going to say attached: resume at the bottom, that was just a reference to you and me)

Subject: Application to English teaching positions in Korea

Body:
Dear Mr. Lee,

Please find in the enclosed attachments to this email my full resume and a recent photograph in response to the job advertisements on Dave's ESL Cafe for positions teaching English. My name is Ray Marcilla, and I currently live in Washington State, in the North West of the United States. I'm a native English speaker. I recently graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

I would like to see some of the world outside of the US, and I think teaching English in Korea would be an excellent way to learn about Korea's culture and language.

As far as applicable experience, I have tutored many of my friends on Electrical Engineering, Math, and Physics. Also, I've studied Spanish and Japanese, so I'm familiar with many of the difficulties of learning a foreign language.

I'm very enthusiastic about finding a job, and eagerly await your response.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
- Ray Marcilla

[babtangee]

Marcilla, i took the liberty of re-writing your intro letter. I think you will find my edit more appropriate for the Korean ESL market. You can find it here:

http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/6701/coverletter10id.jpg

[MeanyMichi]