Korean Job Discussion Forums

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Anyone have any comments? I'm interested in opinions...whatever else, it begs an opinion/response...

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:15 am Post subject:

My response: ????

Does this really deserve a response....

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

There's a Marxist TEFL group?

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 7:24 am Post subject:

Actually this would make for a great comedy group....

LexusNexus · Joined: 05 Jul 2007

[quote="ddeubel"]Anyone have any comments? I'm interested in opinions...whatever else, it begs an opinion/response...

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

calicoe · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Location: South Korea

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Thanks for all the replies and "non replies".

I just posted this because a) it was a comprehensive post about Korea and teaching in Korea b) I think it good to think outside of our comfort zones and read opinions we might detest. I think that helps one be more fully aware and understanding of the issues. We live too often within our own glass houses and world view -- this is one of the criticisms of the new online information age. We set up filters of information and are less apt to encounter diversely varying opinions.

I think that it is wrong to see things through this sort of "critical theory" framework. Class warfare etc.... But on the other hand - I'd suggest many others have their own "X" colored glasses.

DD
http:///eflclassroom.com

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

I tend to put this kind of stuff in the same catagory as Steve Shertzer.
Kind of Wacky and Nutty.

This stuff seems a little sarcastic. Like are there people out there who actually think like this ?During the first wave of Epik I remember a card carrying Comminist that spoke Chinese fluently. He was always shooting his mouth off during the orientation in Chonju. This job really attracts some real nutt jobs.

It's a little silly being a commie in this day and age. Then again some people don't mind being put in a situation where they are open to ridicule. In fact some thrive in that kind of enviroment. You have to ask these Armchair Communists whether this approach actually gets them laid.
Outside of a fervant Anti- American KTU Co -teacher.

buildbyflying · Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject:

The article asks how NET's can better the overall conditions in Korea. It gives as its answers, rebellion and assimilation (unity):

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

At first my eye-rolling reflex was in full motion with this piece of fluff. Obviously, the poster has not been here if he or she seriously believes this without reservation:

hobakmorinam · Joined: 22 Dec 2008

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

you should read about acculturation DD. Schumann developed this theory after one of his students bombed all of his test. This student was a poor immigrant mexican in the U.S, Schumann explained it in that learners acquire more if they get �closer� to the target language group by social integration, psychological openness (input into intake).

Further acculturation = desire to learn to become like the target.

Dominating groups are not likely to learn the language of the dominated.

Closure of social groups is also important. Size is also important.

Assimilation � one culture rejects their own language and culture for the target

Preservation � rejection of new language and culture

Integration � both.

SLA is one aspect of acculturation � learning a language depends how much you want to be part of this group. Acculturation brings the learner into contact with the target language speakers. Verbal interaction as proximate cause brings modification of input to acquisitions.

Acculturation therefore initiates the acquisition process.

This model is difficult to test � tests with guided learners only confirm this hypothesis.

It would be fantastic to do an acculturation study on N vs S Korea, but I think you can probably see the difference easily enough.

Koreans IMO are definitely in the integration bracket. thats why there is such a desire to learn english, but also such a hate of the west. They are at the crux of living american lives and most openly desire it, yet there is always that nationalism and anti-american sentiment that will keep most from truly learning the language. Cultural imperialism is something I would have accepted as an explanation say 100-150 years ago, but now it is something quite different.