Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sallymonster]

So I'm looking for a new job for when my contract ends, and I'm using a co-worker, whom I co-taught some classes with last semester, as a reference.

I found out today that he's been giving me a good reference, except for one thing: he mentioned that I sometimes talk fast. He's right, I do occasionally speak too fast. I know that this is a big problem when teaching ESL, and I've been working on slowing it down, but sometimes I forget and stop thinking about it and then my speech accelerates to breakneck speed. . . Then, upon seeing the students' confused looks, I repeat what I've said more slowly.

I'm sure many of you will tell me that I shouldn't even bother working as an ESL teacher. However, what I'm worried about is, are my chances of getting hired for another job slim to none now that word is out about my problem? I'm probably worrying too much, but I'm not ready to go back and live in the US again! I have other co-teachers, but they're older and don't speak English well, and I worry that they won't understand the concept of what a "reference" is.

[TexasChicken]

I BANISH THEE TO CHINA BE GONE!

Seriously though, with the new FBI Checks you should have no problem landing your standard 2.0-2.2 million job.

T.C.

[Hotpants]

Can't you just contact your co-worker and ask him to stop mentioning that you talk to fast in his references? That would surely seem the easiest option. I'm sure he would understand that point doesn't sell you to the best of your abilities, especially if he goes on to elaborate on it in a negative light for several minutes.

I'm quite sure that you willl still find a job here. That you already have Korea experience and sound like you are in Korea now is a huge plus for getting interviewed.

For me, I've never been asked for any 'reference' beyond the headed paper and stamped letter. Just make sure you get a decent one of those from your school before you leave.

[thegadfly]

OP,

I wouldn't worry too much about it -- more competitive employers would probably doubt a perfect reference -- no one is perfect -- and so having a "flaw" would probably put them at ease. As flaws go, talking fast is not a deal breaker -- in fact, a couple of places I worked would have taken that as a positive thing...sort of like being a perfectionist or a workaholic -- technically flaws, but flaws that may make you more attractive as an employee....

[millyfrend]

You can look for other references as well.

[Redcap]

sallymonster :

I wouldn't be too concerned about the comment that you sometimes talk fast. In fact, you can use it to your advantage in subsequent job interviews. You'll inevitably be asked to describe your strengths and weaknesses. This will be the opportune time to explain to the interviewer that you acknowledge there is an issue related to speaking fast, but have taken measures to address the problem in order to become a more effective teacher. You will come across as someone who is professional minded, open to criticism, and willing to develop your teaching skills.

[MacLean]

What's far worse is when you get a written letter of reference. It says splendid things about you, but when the potential employer phones to make sure the reference is legit your principle stabs you in the back. You don't get the job, the recruiter doesn't tell you that you're being sabotaged but just drops you like a hot potato. So you continue applying to jobs with different recruiters using the same good reference with no success, because the recruiters don't tell you there's a problem. Finally, a recruiter let's it spill that the principle has given you a bad review. You ask what he's said, because he gave you a strong written reference. If he's sabotaging you, you really need to know. Could the recruiter tell you exactly what has been said? He says he has a call on the other line, and he'll call you right back with the info., but he doesn't. Nor does he/she answer your phone calls or emails. Again you've been dropped, and the recruiter feels no obligation to tell you why, or what has been said about you. Integrity, I'm afraid, is not something that is highly prioritized in Korea.

Slightly off topic, I know, but getting stabbed in the back by former employers is very commonplace in Korea. And why? You grimaced when he coughed up his lung at the lunch table. You didn't bow deeply enough. You don't show sufficient amazement at the four seasons. It can be anything.

Viva la corea

[thegadfly]

[cyui]

Hi Sally,

What did they say? Yes, slurred/fast ( as is gestured slang) is very very hard
to understand. The contexted meanings' would be interperted totally different then what you are thinking when you do/say it. Sometimes, this is hard to understand for certain teachers', but is isn't anything that can't be corrected.

Look don't worry about it..not a huge deal. Honeslty, Korea is probably not the best place in the world to be right now what with China and North Korea being in the political state that they are.. :shock:

It's your choice..You could always use a friends' name/number for a backup or go to Japan. :?

[Radius]

I just don't understand why some NETs speak so fast to little kids that probably only understand 50 words or so. Sally I'm not trying to say your a bad teacher, but it doesn't take a lot to know to slow down A LOT when speaking to foreign children.

[blm]

Just sell it as a positive.

After teaching some students for a while as there english improves (due to your awesome teaching) it's easy to forget they are not native speakers and talk to them like a fellow American/Candian etc.

[sallymonster]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I naturally speak fast, so I have to concentrate in order to slow down my speech. I'm trying to train myself to speak more slowly.

To further clarify the situation, I had given my co-worker's phone number to a couple of recruiters as a reference, and then I didn't hear from those recruiters. Then my co-worker admitted that he'd mentioned my fast speech when people called about me, and I couldn't help but wonder if the recruiters had dropped me because of that little problem that I've been working on.

As it turned out, though, one of those recruiters was just slow in getting back to me, and they're setting me up on an interview with a school next week. I also have an interview with a school that is directly hiring. So it turns out I was freaking out for nothing.

[austinchauncey]