Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HunterORL23]

What do you guys do when your textbook wants you to teach something that is a topic that you strictly disagree with (for example man causing global warming). Not only is this something I do not want to teach my students but it is something I feel like writing the publisher an e-mail about. There is no reason why this topic should be in a public school middle school 2nd grade English text book. Why do these publishers want to inflict fear on these kids and force them to conform to their biased opinions.

Makes me sick!

[Geumchondave]

not exactly a political topic is it.... i mean it has been fairly well proven. If the information is inline with the school/korean science curriculum then i dont see a problem, any complaint you have would have to bring up with the education ministry or try and get parents involved - if their is no argument from other parents, students, teachers or pressure groups within korea you yourself can do nothing. If and only if you are highly scientificaly literate you could provided an alternative theory with the consent of your co-teacher if not don't be so mind numbingly arrogant to think you know better than the entire scientific and educational establishment.
obviously if the text book is out of date or not in line with the modern consensus then you might have a point and if you have a real moral objection bring it up with your department and see about changing text books.

[DIsbell]

Substitute your own material about the evils of fractional reserve banking and the looming menace of the lizard people.

[Jane]

What book are you teaching from?

I've had parents before disapprove of teaching about divorce to middle school students...but global warming? What is a good age to start talking about it?

I don't see what's wrong with talking about a topic that may well prove to be the main force behind the impending doom that awaits them.

[On the other hand]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Hint: you are teaching ENGLISH not POLITICS.

So the goal is to get the students talking and for them to learn target vocabulary, sentences and perhaps some grammar rules.

Your personal opinion on GW is irrelevant, teach the material.

[decolyon]

[On the other hand]

[sublunari]

A few months ago two of my students randomly told me their American hagwon teachers were brainwashing them (or at least trying to) in the name of conservatism---all they said was something like, Obama is stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, and that was it, but still, the idea that people are doing this here is so annoying and totally out of line. Beyond a few minor attempts to expose the kids to other cultures I keep my (borderline communist/anarchist) views out of the classroom, although I would kill to teach a high school history class where we could actually discuss these things. But only an infantile mind could derive any pleasure from tricking children into believing this stuff.

Please, if you do wind up teaching any alternative theories to global warming, make sure to mention my idea that it's being caused by half-monkey Nazi saboteurs living under the Earth's crust.

[On the other hand]

[Milwaukiedave]

[decolyon]

I'm going to hijak this post just a bit and bring it just a bit off topic to ask a question. Has anyone else noticed that the teachers that try to push their beliefs on the students and others in Korea are political conservatives and hardcore Christians?

I'm just saying, I don't every hear of teachers trying to tell their students Bush was bad (like they need to be told anyways) or religion doesn't matter or anything of that sort.

For whatever reason I find I'm running into more of these fundi-religious types and Obama hating right wingers the longer I'm here. At my last school while out with the other foreign staff for dinner and drinks it came up on conversation that I was an atheist. The next day one of the other teachers that's one of those super bible thumpers went around to all the other teachers, Korean and foreign, to tell them of my godlessness. He then proceeded to tell his students and mine that "decolyon teacher doesn't believe in god." He then tried to get me fired by claiming we worked at a Christian school (we obviously did not.) But his argument was although we weren't an official Christian school, all the teachers and staff were Christians as well as many of the students, therefor as I didn't have the same belief as he, I shouldn't be allowed to work there.

At my current school the only right wing Christian teacher on staff took it upon himself to take time away from teaching class and do a little religious study. This is a kindergarten and he also felt the need at Xmas to tell all his 5 year old that Santa Claus isn't real and xmas shouldn't be about getting presents, but instead about remembering Christ. To kindergarteners!!!! Now that is something that makes me sick! Who gives him the right to tell his kids what to believe? Many parents and families here are non-religious and perfectly happy that way. (Btw, this was the same "conservative Christian" that missed half a days work, 2 different days, because he was too hangover to wake up on time. He came in still slightly drunk, smelling of the night before and making an ass of himself..... where is that part in the bible?)

I could go on, but seriously, why do Christians and Republicans (conservatives) feel this need to come over here and force feed their beliefs down everyone else's throat?

[nathanrutledge]

I'd say the exact same thing about you, decolyon. Why do you left wing bleeding heart liberals tar everyone with the dirty "conservative/religious" brush?

There are plenty of people of all stripes who push their agenda on other people. Saying that it's only the religious or political conservatives who do so is a lie, and everyone knows it. Also, saying that the two groups are not mutually exclusive is garbage. One can be a liberal and a religious nut, or a conservative and an atheist.

My question would be, what ever happened to the idea of questioning authority? Why is it that liberals cannot fathom that people question global warming? A phenomenon that is so immense, so complicated, yet there can be NO dissension from the herd? It is 100% truth and infallible and anyone who even hints that there might be something wrong is labeled as a "religious nut, conservative, whack job idiot."

Also, why is it with you people that things are so black and white (pun intended - you'll see)? I don't like Obama and his policies, so I'm obviously a racist AND I obviously like Bush, right? I question global warming research, so I obviously hate the environment and want to club every baby seal I can find before the ice all melts.

Seriously, it's possible to dislike both Obama and Bush, think that global warming science is flawed, belief in evolution, and still be a rational, thinking human being.

[Unposter]

Decolyon,

My take on your question is that liberals like yourself are too embarrassed to espouse your liberalism where as moderate to slightly right people (sorry for the label Nate) like nathanrutledge are always screaming and shouting about how he is so persecuted for his beliefs. Right wingers and conservative Christians basically see themselves as martyrs for their beliefs and don't care who knows what they believe. From a cultural standpoint, they have bear witness to their beliefs. Where as most liberals just want to compromise and be liked by everyone so they always hedge on their beliefs.

That said, let's get back to a real discussion.

I am personally shocked that some people are so smart to actually have a political opinion on a topic yet don't know how to teach it. You can be so sure about climate change and yet so unsure about teaching.

Basically, you want evryone to know about your persecution. Oh poor, poor me, I don't believe that humans are responsible for climate change and yet I have to teach it. Why is the world such an awful place? Whine, whine, whine. blah, blah, blah.

Get over it. It is not the end of the world. Grow up and figure it out.

You are a language teacher. As someone already did a good job of pointing out - if it generates discussion and you help your students to learn how to express their ideas in the target language than you are doing your job.

I personally think if a student asked your opinion and you had one, you are welcome to give it. Though, I would always says something like that is just my opinion.

And, that is just my opinion.

[atwood]