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austrian123
Joined: 15 Oct 2010
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:23 am Post subject: The more I teach esl in Korea, the more I ....... |
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realize how unfufilling this type of work is.
Is it just me or does everyone else feel this way?
I'm just glad that I'm not teaching esl fresh out of university. I thank
my lucky stars that I was able to join the IT boom in the early 2000's
and manage to save a large enough nest egg to fall back on. And I
thank my lucky stars that I'm part of the generation where I can
buy silver at depressed prices to ride the silver rocket train to riches.
For the long timers in Korea, how have you managed to survive
as long as you have? |
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wooden nickels
Joined: 23 May 2010
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:18 am Post subject: Re: The more I teach esl in Korea, the more I ....... |
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austrian123 wrote: |
realize how unfufilling this type of work is.
Is it just me or does everyone else feel this way?
I'm just glad that I'm not teaching esl fresh out of university. I thank
my lucky stars that I was able to join the IT boom in the early 2000's
and manage to save a large enough nest egg to fall back on. And I
thank my lucky stars that I'm part of the generation where I can
buy silver at depressed prices to ride the silver rocket train to riches.
For the long timers in Korea, how have you managed to survive
as long as you have? |
It's not perfect but I'm happy with my ESL career. It has its ups and downs but I enjoy my work ninety percent of the time. I don't have any investments in silver, but probably a decent investment.
I'm not really a long timer, though around the decade mark. I've survived just like I would have survived any place else. I get up, go to work, put some money in savings every month, and try to enjoy life as much as possible. |
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West Coast Tatterdemalion
Joined: 31 Aug 2010
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:27 am Post subject: |
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realize how much it will suck to go back home and actually have to work. Plus paying rent again. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
For the long timers in Korea, how have you managed to survive
as long as you have? |
By leaving the room the moment someone starts talking about how well their investments are doing. |
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Gamecock

Joined: 26 Nov 2003
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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Some people are teachers, some are not. A few jobs in Korea you can feel fulfilled as a teacher, most will drain the life out of you.
If you don't love teaching, then I can't imagine how miserable someone must be in Korea when the honeymoon phase is over. But If you really love being a teacher and you can find a job where you are actually allowed to teach, it can be quite satisfying. People who are happy as teachers anywhere in the world are not thinking about things like the "silver rocket train to riches." Their motivation is intrinsic. |
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brucefox
Joined: 23 Jan 2011
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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AHHHH SILVER!!!
Yes. It was quite interesting to see XAG rocket from 14 bux to 39 bux an ounce over the past 2 years.
Nobody said silver would be that way even when XAU went up to 1200's 2 years ago. (Now Copper price is goin up folks.. there's a general shortage of metal thesedays)
IF ONLY I HAD BOUGHT MORE!! But then I made some dough with XAU so... I'm not too sad.
Remember folks. XAG and XAU are the only REAL money. These are the currencies that will be accepted ANYWHERE in the world when there's a crisis. Real Cash! They always have been and always will be. Don't put your trust in the FIAT currency, no matter what those Wall Street liars tell you.
Even if you are not investing in them, have a few dozen bullions of silver or a few small gold bars. Put them in your "emergency" bag. Radiation? Earthquake? War? You are the only one who can buy his way out of trouble. |
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Katchafire

Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Location: Non curo. Si metrum non habet, non est poema
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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I've been really really lucky.
My first year here I taught at a Wonderland branch. Long hours though they were, my kids were fantastic, staff were fun and sociable, every month we had our little trip somewhere - even if one of those trips involved digging up fricken sweet potatoes at some farm in the middle of Spot knows where.
I'm currently at the tail end of my 4th year at an Elementary school in the Yangju area. I've seen two years of 3rd graders graduate as 6th graders on to Middle school. They may or may not remember the little bits of info about home (New Zealand) that I'd talk about - I do know they'll not forget the NZ$ notes that they couldnt tear - which fascinated them.
Most will remember the 'silly' songs we'd make up using various key expressions of the week to the tune of popular k-pop songs at the time. Most will remember the day I finally managed to dance in sync with no mistakes, along side a group of 4th grade girls 'one more time'!
But this morning, this morning was the icing on the cake. After a trip to the hospital yesterday to find out I'd fractured a bone in my ankle, feeling just a little bit homesick because of it .... hobbling my way into school ... a group of boys from my 6th grade - the boys that are usually 'that' pain in the ass few .... took my bag and carried it for me, walked with me all the way to the classroom ooo'ing, and tut-tutting at my 'injury' .... and made sure I was settled okay at my desk.
I find this job fulfilling. Very very much so. |
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Zackback
Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Location: Kyungbuk
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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how much of a waste of time it is. |
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creeper1
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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I would suggest the reason you feel that way is because you suck as a teacher. You don't make an impact so you don't feel fulfilled. I excel at teaching and as a result I have great job satisfaction. |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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creeper1 wrote: |
I would suggest the reason you feel that way is because you suck as a teacher. You don't make an impact so you don't feel fulfilled. I excel at teaching and as a result I have great job satisfaction. |
congratulations! me too.  |
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austrian123
Joined: 15 Oct 2010
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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creeper1 wrote: |
I would suggest the reason you feel that way is because you suck as a teacher. You don't make an impact so you don't feel fulfilled. I excel at teaching and as a result I have great job satisfaction. |
No need to attack me. I just asked a simple question. Most of the people who have responded have been very positive about their experiences in teaching in Korea....and that's fine.
How do you know that I suck as a teacher? What makes you more qualified than me? And what makes you excel? Because you have no choice right? |
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ESL Milk "Everyday
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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creeper1 wrote: |
I would suggest the reason you feel that way is because you suck as a teacher. You don't make an impact so you don't feel fulfilled. I excel at teaching and as a result I have great job satisfaction. |
I don't approve of the delivery, but I can't really argue with the premise. If you're not doing a good job/taking an interest/challenging yourself to do better, yeah, this isn't going to be fulfilling. |
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Draz

Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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creeper1 wrote: |
I would suggest the reason you feel that way is because you suck as a teacher. You don't make an impact so you don't feel fulfilled. I excel at teaching and as a result I have great job satisfaction. |
Job and students matter a LOT to your job satisfaction as a teacher. They matter a lot more than your skill ime.
The last two years I taught general English classes. It had its moments, but overall I didn't like it and couldn't wait to save up enough to gtfo of here. This year, partially due to seniority (!!) and partially due to a schedule fluke, I've got almost all "advanced" classes. They are going great, and I'd almost think I'd just figured it all out now... except I still have that one general class, and they are just the same as they've always been. |
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creeper1
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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What the hell do you expect? You come on here bragging about how your investments are all doing well and how you have the option of some kind of career in IT. Ok if you have that option take it and quit whining.
In response to your question of why I am so good, I believe it is because I have really thought about teaching methods and I meticulously plan all my lessons.
Peace. |
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brento1138
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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I'm actually quite fulfilled in my job. If you aren't, then I think teaching is the wrong career. Teaching is one of those weird careers where a bunch of people (who don't know where they want to go) end up in. Many of them hate it, many like it.
I have met so many people in Korea who aren't the teacher types at all. I think if they hadn't signed 1 year contracts, they'd have been out of here long ago. So really, it's kind of the 1 year contract that is to blame. Life really sucks when you're stuck in a job you can't stand, and all you have left to find solace in is something like silver investments... possibly the route you should have gone. Oh well, it will be over soon, and you can go do what you want to do soon enough.
That said, I don't care how much money I'd lose, I'd get the hell out of Korea and teaching if I didn't like it. Even if that means 3 months, 5 months, 8 months. Whatever. Finances be damned, if my life sucks, I'm changing it! But yeah, I'm one of those lucky b****** who loves it here. And if you are thinking "why the hell would brento1138 love it in Korea??? wtf???" then you should turn off your computer, buy a plane ticket, and head out! |
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