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ou812
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
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 Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:06 am Post subject: All this talk about a Teacher's Union |
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First of all, I am not a Korean - I AM an American.
I have lived in Korea for almost a decade and have ran into far less problems than living in America, in the general sense.
I would like to say, your environment may change depending on your attitude.
I am sure some of these people that complain, are not the funnest people to be around.
Why I left the USA? Personal Choice. Occupation in Korea? Importer
That said -
As I have some friends and interests in the teaching industry in Korea, the need for a foreign teacher's union could be a pro or a con.
There are too many to list here, but, I would like to offer my two cents, and kick back and watch some people bash me (for this or other posting I have posted).
First of all, teacher's in general need an attitude adjustment.
Meaning that the perception will not change, because as you are teaching in Korea you act like you are still in college and thus, behave in that manner. Not that there is anything wrong with that - during college
days
Secondly, more and more Koreans can pick up English to hear foreigners talking like they have a "potty mouth" so to speak. And foreigners have no manners even in front of the young or old, because they think they are not being understood. Come on, save the Fuc*, Shi*, Cun*, etc... when drinking among friends in a less public place. Most of the time this occurs in subways, buses, even schools.
Thirdly, as teacher's try to gain credibility and gain more respect, professionalism should be applied. There is too much of a lazy, lax, carefree attitude to be taken seriously. Even attire is below par for such an industry. You don't need to wear a suit or tie (although some of the teacher's do wear these) but dress smart for being a teacher. I know, you may think well this blows, only a hagwon job - but then again what's the point of having an association, what's the point of improving conditions if all you think this is a less than desirable job.
Lastly, "When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do."
Just common sense, and it can vastly improve your overall impression and experience in any country.
When I first started driving in Korea, I was chasing buses, flipping off taxi drivers, slammed on the brakes if someone was tailgating and of course it boiled my head which resulted in some near road rage situations. Since then, I relax more, practice more defensive driving, etc... and now I just enjoy being able to drive again. Don't get me wrong, still sometimes pisses me off.
Just saying that no matter where you are,even in your own country things, people, rules,e tc... will piss you off. Chill out and relax. |
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mikeyboy122
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: namyang
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:33 am Post subject: korea |
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| Well said. I suspect a triple digit I.Q. here. It's a nice change of pace. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:34 am Post subject: |
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The stereotypes involved in this post are worded toward all foreign teachers in Korea.
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First of all, teacher's in general need an attitude adjustment.
Meaning that the perception will not change, because as you are teaching in Korea you act like you are still in college and thus, behave in that manner. Not that there is anything wrong with that - during college
days |
Not only is this a gross stereotype, one often portrayed in outlandish Korean documentaries.
Not only do most foreigners act appropriately, they act better than Koreans in terms of politeness and respect toward women.
You later went on to say:
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| "When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do." |
If foreigners acted like a lot of Koreans, they would then be truly need to have an attitude and behavior change. Want us to start cutting in line, drinking till we puke on the sidewalk on the weeknights, hiring hookers, spitting all over the place, acting superior because we are older than others and disrespecting women as well as hitting them?
These are also gross stereotypes, but things witnessed every day.
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| Secondly, more and more Koreans can pick up English to hear foreigners talking like they have a "potty mouth" so to speak. And foreigners have no manners even in front of the young or old, because they think they are not being understood. Come on, save the Fuc*, Shi*, Cun*, etc... when drinking among friends in a less public place. Most of the time this occurs in subways, buses, even schools. |
This is just your moral idea. If Koreans want to really understand how English is used, those words need to heard and learned. Go to a foreign city. Do you hear cuss-free streets? One shouldn't go nuts, but swear words only carry as much weight at the listener puts into them.
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| There is too much of a lazy, lax, carefree attitude to be taken seriously. Even attire is below par for such an industry. |
Do the hogwans have rules for attire? Then they should be honored. If not, do kids really care if teacher wears a Polham t-shirt or a dress shirt? It may affect outward appearance, but one could argue that outer appearances are something Koreans need to get past, whether it's clothing or skin color. |
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Rumple
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:17 am Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Secondly, more and more Koreans can pick up English to hear foreigners talking like they have a "potty mouth" so to speak. And foreigners have no manners even in front of the young or old, because they think they are not being understood. Come on, save the Fuc*, Shi*, Cun*, etc... when drinking among friends in a less public place. Most of the time this occurs in subways, buses, even schools. |
This is just your moral idea. If Koreans want to really understand how English is used, those words need to heard and learned. Go to a foreign city. Do you hear cuss-free streets? One shouldn't go nuts, but swear words only carry as much weight at the listener puts into them. |
Not just his idea. The adjumma on the streetcorner standing next to the rude Americans cursing up a storm doesn't necessarily "want to really understand how English is used," (as you say) but may still be offended. And you're right, swear words carry as much weight as the listener puts into them. In Korea, they put a LOT of weight into some of those words, and plenty of foreign teachers indiscriminately throw them down everywhere.
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| There is too much of a lazy, lax, carefree attitude to be taken seriously. Even attire is below par for such an industry. |
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Do the hogwans have rules for attire? Then they should be honored. If not, do kids really care if teacher wears a Polham t-shirt or a dress shirt? It may affect outward appearance, but one could argue that outer appearances are something Koreans need to get past, whether it's clothing or skin color. |
Hey, if you want to be treated like a professional, act (and dress) like a professional. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:59 am Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| The Do the hogwans have rules for attire? Then they should be honored. If not, do kids really care if teacher wears a Polham t-shirt or a dress shirt? It may affect outward appearance, but one could argue that outer appearances are something Koreans need to get past, whether it's clothing or skin color. |
So back home people don't care about outer appearances? If you showed up for a job interview at a company with a Polham t-sh-irt as opposed to showing up in a well-pressed and tailered suit do you really think that wouldn't put a negative impression in the interviewer's mind?
Outer appearances are important everywhere. A slovenly outer appearance often goes with a slovenly inner appearence as well. Yes this is not always the case, but more often then not it is. Regardless going against the grain is not going to help this cause. |
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Unposter
Joined: 04 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:20 am Post subject: |
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| Correct me if I am wrong but I always thought the expression, when in rome do as the romans was started by the English to say that it was okay to act a little randy in Italy even if they shouldn't in England, hence it is about lowering your moral standards. |
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tfunk
Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:22 am Post subject: |
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If the same proportion of Koreans were drunk on the streets as that of foreigners, then the streets would be swarming with 100's of thousands of drunks (think night of the living dead where everybody is hungry to play the crane game).
It's only when a person experiences trouble, is a career oriented teacher, or is thinking of commiting long term to Korea that the prospect of a union becomes importent.
The idea of telling fly-by-year newbies to smarten up is nice but weak. The professionals in this country will have to unite to counteract negative images regardless of the percentages, because the masses are here for a fun (*cough*, cultural) experience. |
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Morton
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:44 am Post subject: |
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| Secondly, more and more Koreans can pick up English to hear foreigners talking like they have a "potty mouth" so to speak. |
So you are saying we should give up our right to free speech because it might offend someone. Who will decide what words are ok to use? Just because a Korean thinks 'shut up' is offensive doesn't make it so. Who died and made the Koreans the authority on what English words can be spoken?
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| When in Rome........ |
Romans are the rudest people in Europe with a superiority complex which is totally out of date. The greatest parts of the city are in ruins. I've heard some Koreans say that Italians and Koreans are very similar. If by that they mean everyone else who share the continent think they are a bunch of c#nts then they are absolutely correct.
Your other points I agree with. |
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Morton
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:47 am Post subject: |
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I just saw that s.hut has been censored in my previous post.  |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:03 am Post subject: |
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Just a test:
short (s.hort)
shut (s.hut)
shoe (s.hoe)
shy (s.hy)
sheet (s.heet)
sheen (s.heen)
shunt (s.hunt)
shack (s.hack)
shits (s.hits)
Wonder if any of these will be filtered?
Last edited by Whistleblower on Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:06 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:05 am Post subject: |
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Looks like anything that starts with "sh" and ends with "t" will be filtered. Orwell wasn't half wrong hey  |
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twg
Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Location: Getting some fresh air...
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:19 am Post subject: Re: All this talk about a Teacher's Union |
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| ou812 wrote: |
| Lastly, "When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do." |
Well I can agree with that.
Just this afternoon on the way too work I whipped my *beep* out and peed on a nearby parked truck.
The elementary school kids were shocked, but hey, I'm much older than them. They can lump it. |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:55 am Post subject: Re: All this talk about a Teacher's Union |
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| ou812 wrote: |
First of all, I am not a Korean - I AM an American.
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so you really are a KOREAN American, right? whatsa' matter, you ashamed to admit it?? 
wtf are you even discussing teachers for when you admit you aren't a teacher??
and what would you even know about teachers' attitudes - have you ever attended a Kotesol conference? or even a local chapter meeting? have you ever taught in Korea? oops - I forgot you AREN'T a teacher!
you know I was going to address the other things you wrote about but given as you are so UNQUALIFIED to even begin to make an assessment, let alone a judgment on us - the REAL teachers - I think you should just, well,
EAT SH*T AND DIE  |
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Suwoner10
Joined: 10 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:59 am Post subject: |
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| Unposter wrote: |
| Correct me if I am wrong but I always thought the expression, when in rome do as the romans was started by the English to say that it was okay to act a little randy in Italy even if they shouldn't in England, hence it is about lowering your moral standards. |
u pwned the OP.
Seriously OP, stick to teaching. With your scatological logic and lack of intellectual gravitas, you should be chained to a radiator, not aspiring to be some sort of journo-voice on the internet. You have a "blog" I bet, dontcha? |
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Mi Yum mi
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:28 am Post subject: |
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| Hey OP...are you saying you've never heard a Korean swear in public? Obviously you don't speak orean in your 10 years here. Pathetic. |
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