Korean Job Discussion Forums

[egrog1717]

Looking over an application for August /10 for my friend who is applying... Came across some LOL worthy questions...

1. Are you a vegetarian or vegan? (YES/NO)
--> Because you better damn well eat in English! What does this have to do with English teaching???

1B. Are you aware that, although Korean dishes contain a lot of vegetables, a large number contain small amounts of meat or meat products? (YES/NO)
--> Ohhhhh... Wait... I still don't get it... This is important on an application to work at a public school because....? LOL

2. Are you aware that you will be expected to plan lessons in advance and sometimes lead English classes? (YES/NO)
--> Damnit! My friend thought she was applying to teach Spanish!

3. Are you planning on bringing any pets to Korea? (YES/NO)
--> Can they teach English for us too? I mean what can a robot do that Clifford can't do better??

4. Are or were you HIV (AIDS) Positive?
--> In other words, have you eaten enough Kimchi to cure your AIDS?

Ahhhh EPIK... You always ask the best questions...

[oldfatfarang]

What about the insideous 'weight' question?

[Ramen]

They're all legit questions to me.

[Scamps]

I think they ask the first 2 questions because unless you bring your own lunch, your only choice at school, where you'll have lunch will have meat. Some schools are willing to make a vegetarian or vegan meal for you. It's all about finding the best match.

Next, perhaps some inexperienced teachers come here thinking the lessons are preplanned and all they do is walk in and check off what's on their teacher "to do list"... Some might think all the prep work has been done by someone else and the foreign teacher is just the deliverer.

3. Pet question is probably so they can find you a pet-friendly apartment.

4. AIDS/HIV question...ok this was funny, just misworded. Everyone knows there's no cure...so it's impossible to have had it and then after seeing a doctor, taking medicine, eating kimchi, etc it goes away.

[Depths of My Soul]

[Senior]

It's pretty obvious that this is a well intentioned but comically poorly executed attempt at addressing some problems that NETs have had.

For instance there are always threads on here about vegetarianism and their problems whilst living in Korea. The school boards have probably had problems with school lunches and vegetarians. Question 1b is just a poor attempt to pass on info.

Part 2 refers to some people trying to get their co-teacher to lead the class as it says in the contract. They recently changed the contract so that it refers to NETs may lead the class on their own.

Pets can be an issue with housing.

Q4 is inexplicable. There is basically no scenario I can fathom where that question could have been thought to be a good idea. I can see a scenario where half a dozen or so younger officials (who ever writes these things), agreeing in private that it is a stupid move whilst telling the older superior that, yes, it indeed is an appropriate, and well worded, question to be asking future employees.

[fergalreid]

I think this is to make sure ESLs don't wig out in a substantially different culture. I can't count the number of times my interviewer asked me what did I know about Korea and why it was that I wanted to come to Korea. Name drop Kimchi and you're probably golden.

[crossmr]

[mckinneysbelfast]

The pets one is definately a new addition - we applied in November as well and it wasn't there.

I'd never thought about taking our cat until I read that question...wonder how she'd do in korea? pretty happy about the eating dog situation I reckon

[CentralCali]

Maybe not. "Dog" for food sometimes includes cat. It's that unregulated, not to mention cruel. This is one country I would never bring a dog or cat to. Not that long ago, some idiots nabbed, killed, cooked, and ate a blind guy's guide dog!

[Smee]

I agree the vegan/vegeterian questions seem odd, and that schools should have more important things to worry about, but you wouldn't believe how many people make a stink about their schools' food.

I wouldn't encourage a vegetarian or vegan to change their lifestyle for Korea, but recognize that a school isn't likely to change its menu for the lone foreigner, and that people with limited diets will have few options and may find themselves ostracized in the cafeteria (and thus in the school).

[definitely maybe]

[Draz]

[sulperman]

[edwardcatflap]

So you think anyone who answers yes to questions 1 and 3 is automatically rejected?