Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CentralCali]

[Died By Bear]

[IBD]

[dhan89]

bump

all the guys who seem to have a rational mind and response, thank you for your input...

all the guys who are bitterly attacking me and trying to falsify my claims and experiences, that's fine, too... just plz remember that Koreans there don't really care at all about your unwavering support to their system of literally scraping the bottom of the barrel to find the least qualified people to teach English.

That's not to say that only basic educated individuals come to Korea... I think a lot of smart and intelligent and educated people come here only to realize that most places don't really care about the active enrichment of students english education... priority is on money and parents and the eternal show... this, I find, is the biggest disillusionment.... but some people actually enjoy the drab work environment because all you need to do is speak english and make kids happy...

As an expat, you realize that these Koreans will never give you the proper respect as a teacher because to their eyes you are all replaceable... always. because there are always younger and newer and naive people to find.... so if you don't follow their system, then they'll be happy to replace you.... but you still gotta suck it up and accept it because it is your job...

I mean if you guys even watch the Korean drama Misaeng, you will see how ridiculous Korea is... even if this drama is entertainment, people watch this and accept this as that status quo of korean work environment, OUTDATED Confucius ideology warped up in modernization... this is how Koreans think.... everything about korea sucks and it begins with the people>communication>work environment..... again, if you love Korea, that is awesome, seriously, I'm glad for you...

I knew this coming into all of this, I know Koreans..... and I had never ever had the intentions to do like a 3-5 year stint. are you crazy? I'd kill myself.. I had a good 10-12 month opportunity here so I just did that... Sure, I could've done another year but why the F would in my right mind do that when I could go back home with the money I made and continue with the life I had in California...

I don't think most people find teaching english in Korea as a forever thing... sure, you can if you want but why would you???? Korea sucks in so many ways compared to America and that's not to just rub it in people's faces. If you disagree that's fine but I'd recommend going to psychiatrist to get checked up for masochism...


All the comments about "I failed....", "I couldn't handle it...." makes me lulz so hard because it only proves that you have some hardcore internal cognitive dissonance going on.... I am openly saying that this was my own experience and yet you are saying that it wasn't my own experience because you're adding your own set of reality and opinion into my own experience.... it makes no sense.... and yes the only way I can express this is that you are HARDCORE HATING..... so stop the lulz, save some cash, and hopefully make it back in one psychologically fit piece..

payce.

[trueblue]

[CentralCali]

[trueblue]

O.P., don't mind Central Cali...he is just too awesome for you.

[Malislamusrex]

I agree with what Cali said. Every single paragraph is a passive aggressive 'you are in Korea and a pathetic English teacher'. The comment I made, 'you failed' is exactly what dhan89 has been trying to say about every English teacher.

[swashbuckler]

[CentralCali]

^Try again, this time making sense.

[PRagic]

A couple of points require some clarification. First, there seems to be a pervasive misconception that 'lifer' ESL teachers are for some reason losers who couldn't find jobs, and by extention, careers, in their home countries.

There are two problems with this: first, teaching ESL is by nature a field in which you go where the students and the jobs exist. Sure, there are ESL teaching jobs in N. American, Europe, Australia, etc, but by and large the bulk of the jobs are overseas. It stands to reason that many ESL teaching professionals work abroad long term, particularly if they can make and bank more, and take advantage of other opportunities afforded by expat life. Not all jobs are overseas, and, indeed, there are a great number of ESL teachers working at the primary, secondary, and post secondary levels back in their home countries, or in language institutes there.

Second, the asssumption, particularly on this thread, is that all lifers are stuck in a kindy or kiddy teaching rut out of which there is no escape. Again, not true. Some do teach in institutes for personal or professional reasons, but many get qualified, get experienced, and do entire careers teaching at the university level; some even take it a step further and go on to become head teachers or program directors.

So comparing the OP with 'lifer' professionals here is comparing apples and oranges. The OP had no related degree, no qualifications, and no experience, so he took an entry level gig teaching kids that paid well enough but piled on the hours and BS (e.g. dealing with parents and the hagwon market in general). He had an entry and exit strategy, and is now back 'home' presumably pursuing his original career path. Good on him. Most of the 'lifers', however, and this is 100% the case with the people I know in the field, have or get related degrees, including MAs, plus additional certifications, and choose to make teaching a career. Good on them, too.

If you shape your career tradjectory, there is no reason to assume a salary cap given the myriad possibilities available here and in other ESL markets (e.g. writing, editing, recording, privates), and many prefer the free time afforded by teaching compared to, say, working a 9-5 (best case scenario for those making actual money in corporate land).

As for living in Korea? Ask ten people and get ten different opinions. Personally, the culure, the language, and the food all work for me. Plus, we can travel extensively given the nature of my job, as can most working in university, and to a lesser extent, public school. I've said it before: Korea has been VERY good to us, and it has been very good to a great number of my 'lifer' friends.

I've also known a number of people who took the OP's route; they came over, did a year or two, banked some case and paid off some student loans, then went back home and got into their chosen career fields. Most are doing remarkably well, and all have good memories of the time they spent here. Korea was good to them, too, just shorter term. One guy is a regional marekting director with a Fortune 500 computer firm, one is a VP at one of Canada's largest banks, one tree-hugger runs his own spa and retreat with his better half, and a couple are ESL program directors at unviersities in the US and Canada. I've known a couple, including myself, who transitioned out of ESL after a few years and into main stream academe.

What's the common thread? Don't put anyone down because of the career they've chosen if they're happy with their decision. Horses for courses. Different strokes for different folks. Not everywhere is for everyone, and not every job is for everyone. Optimistically, anyone can build upon their education, experience, and networks, and hope to earn more as their career progresses. But not everyone is overly converned with 'earining more', and we get that. That's cool, too.

[T-dot]

A assume OP is a Californian Gyopo.

[PRagic]

No need to assume. He was forthcoming with that information.

[dhan89]

[EZE]