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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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 Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject: Students who just want to escape Korea |
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| Have you also had a few of these? Students who come to you privately talking about how much they hate high school life in Korea and how feasible it would be to move to another country? What do you tell them when you know there's probably no chance they could ever do it and they're likely stuck with this shit until they graduate? What do you tell a student who's been studying English for six years and still wouldn't be able to follow basic instructions in an American math or PE class, let alone English or social studies? Is it even worth showing them how much greener the grass potential looks on the other side of the ocean? |
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Easter Clark
Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Tell them if they go to an American school, chances are they'll get shot. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Easter Clark wrote: |
| Tell them if they go to an American school, chances are they'll get shot. |
That's so funny - when of the first questions this latest one had written down on a little sheet of paper was whether it was too dangerous. |
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jiyull
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:34 am Post subject: |
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It's not your problem and there is nothing you can do about it.
Just let them dream, I guess. |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:42 am Post subject: |
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| jiyull wrote: |
It's not your problem and there is nothing you can do about it.
Just let them dream, I guess. |
I don't feel sorry for them because that's how their mothers and fathers want it. |
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bellum99
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: don't need to know
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Tell them it isn't that great because ,after all, you are here. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| bellum99 wrote: |
| Tell them it isn't that great because ,after all, you are here. |
Funny because it's true. |
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KoreanAmbition
Joined: 03 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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I think you should be 100% honest.
Tell them that their only hope is if they come to you daily for highly-priced 1-on-1 private tutoring. |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: Students who just want to escape Korea |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| Have you also had a few of these? Students who come to you privately talking about how much they hate high school life in Korea and how feasible it would be to move to another country? What do you tell them when you know there's probably no chance they could ever do it and they're likely stuck with this shit until they graduate? What do you tell a student who's been studying English for six years and still wouldn't be able to follow basic instructions in an American math or PE class, let alone English or social studies? Is it even worth showing them how much greener the grass potential looks on the other side of the ocean? |
this post is really a surprise, I have to say. I've worked with so many students who were being prepped to go overseas - often alone - and have never ever had a student who actually expressed an interest in doing so on their own. I'm not saying they don't exist, just that I'm surprised to hear this.
Usually students feel a LOT of pressure from parents about going abroad and accept their situation but it never fails they are scared, worried and not really eager to leave their friends, family and school behind even when they are only going for a year or so.
I have on the other hand, met college age and post grads who wanted to go abroad to study in uni's and usually their E wasn't up to speed. In that situation, it's tough because I don't want to discourage them from their dreams but at the same time, one needs to be realistic.
I think the most, and best advice you can give in this situation is simply to emphasize the need for excellent English in order to succeed in a Westernized country. I've worked with MANY immigrants back home and the ones who have thick accents or trouble expressing themselves in E will be alienated, have trouble making friends (to improve their E) and invariably, be unhappy.
so be kind, be gentle and let them know wherever they decide to go, their E skills need to be up to par because it's a very competitive world out there.
hope this helps! |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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I've had students and adult Koreans tell me they want to leave Korea. what can I do? I won't marry anyone just so that they can leave this place.
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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I've had korean english teachers tell me that they wanted to go to Canada or the USA. I asked them what kind of job they expected to get, and they assumed that they could teach english... I don't think so, unless it's to Koreans and the money won't be as good.
It amazes me what kind of unrealistic expectations many Koreans have if they were to emigrate. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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| They need to trust you in order to be honest about how they REALLY feel about Korea. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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| jvalmer wrote: |
I've had korean english teachers tell me that they wanted to go to Canada or the USA. I asked them what kind of job they expected to get, and they assumed that they could teach english... I don't think so, unless it's to Koreans and the money won't be as good.
It amazes me what kind of unrealistic expectations many Koreans have if they were to emigrate. |
One of my Korean friends, an English teacher, asked me what kind of job skills would be best for him if wanted to live in an English-speaking country. I suggested he learn how to drive a dump truck or forklift, or better yet, learn a trade like welding. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I had a little chat with this particular student after school today. I hope it's just a case of needing someone different to talk to, and hopefully I didn't sound to patronising with my 'making the best of things' explanation. I wrote down 'advantage' and 'disadvantage' and explained that every country's educational system has some of each. Then she pointed to 'disadvantage' said 'Korea only disadvantage'.
Poor thing. She has exactly 18 months to go to the CSAT but to her it must feel like an eternity. She's one of my typical well-behaved passive learners who tries but isn't eager to participate. For her to want to make the effort to come see me makes me wonder if she's nearing a breaking point. I tried telling her not to take it personally when her teachers and parents get on her case about studying, and not to feel guilty about not living up to the expectations of an unrealistic system. I wonder how many other students like her are feeling the same way. |
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KoreanAmbition
Joined: 03 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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I know the suicide rate among students is very high in China compared to Canada, due to the intense pressure of course.
How does that situation fare in Korea? |
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