Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DRAMA OVERKILL]

My Korean co-T told me that the recent national push and emphasis on English education is partially because they hope to "fade us out" within a 10 year period from now. That is, they want the overall level of English to be high enough so that Korean teachers will be able to hold English immersion classes, thus making it unnecessary to hire native speakers. Now, I don't know how truthful (or realistic) this is, but let's just assume that it is.

I think that it's pretty safe to also assume that the overall majority of the foreigners you see bombing around with backpacks are here to teach English. There are a lot of us. A hell of a lot, it seems. I like to think that we provide a little bit of much needed cultural diversity in this country (even if only a little). For the most part, Korean people have become quite used to seeing us around on their trains and buses, in their restaurants and bars, etc. A little bit of zing in otherwise rather culturally narrow-minded place.

I know that we English teachers (Americans, Candians, British, Australian, and so on) don't make up the entirety of the foreign population here. But, there is often a lot of emphasis on us. Much more so than the South East Asians, Russians, and a few Africans - Korean people seem to have very little interest in embracing these people and the cultural quirks they bring here... perhaps because they are "poor?" I don't know...

If we were all to leave here, what the hell could Korea do to "stay international?" If we were all to leave, would that be better for them? Korea's economic push is taking (has taken) them to an international level. This in itself doesn't make the country "international." Some variety in the people does. Different ways of thinking, tolerance, acceptance of other peoples and cultures...

I, for one, would never come here to vacation and go sight-seeing. Too expensive, and just way too blah. Other than the odd foreign businessman, who'll show up on Korea's doorstep? What will the draw be?

I know I'm rambling, but the overall bit is this - will Korea miss us when we're gone? The general foreign class, the "average" people? As far-fetched or not as it may be us all leaving, just imagine it.

What would Korea do if we all left?

It's an interesting scenario...

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Adventurer]

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a dam*! Why should we care about what they do when we're gone since we will be gone;) I suppose in a nostalgic sense, we can look at our tour of duty in Korea, and wonder what's new down there, but life goes on as the Beatles used to sing. It would be great if their English teachers can do a decent job. Anyway, there will be plenty of mixed Koreans. Don't forget that. Koreans will have some diversity of some sort. There are lots of mixed Koreans out there as far as I know.

[Join Me]

Didn't you hear? President Lee just announced his administration's new plan to become the "Hub of International" within the next year.

[Lekker]

They'll continue to make thos weird T-Shirts with weird English that doesn't make any sense and then they'll begin to speak like it. So when you come back for a visit, people will speak to you in English but it won't make any sense at ALL.

[moosehead]

10 years from now?? hmmm ok, I'll bite.

Chinese will be very popular as in - the U.S. military will be gone and Korea will be finally reunited with the Motherland.

English, as all Koreans have wanted for so long, will be just a distant blur of something they once thought was a good thing.

Dogs will be eaten much more often since no more American beef.

Korean men will still be marrying Thai and Vietnamese women but in order to immigrate and take over THEIR properties and leave Korea - oops I mean China.

ahh, yes, will definitely have a different theme.

China Sparkling!

[crusher_of_heads]

OP, your CT is stupid-if it took Quebec a generation with its draconian laws to change things, Korea will never get it-and qubecers are smart, Koreans....USA BEEF GO HOME!