Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheuk]

I've returned to England after finishing my 4th year of teaching English abroad. 2 years in Korea and 2 in Saudi Arabia.

On October 3rd, I'll have my first lecture for the MA TESOL course. It's a 1 year, full-time course.

I've tracked down my classroom.

I am notorious for not liking people of all backgrounds equally, mainly because the majority of people I've ever met tend to be unpleasant.

Anyway, the course induction is on October 1st. I'm not going to attend that, it's optional and it'll only give my colleagues more time to dislike me.

Nowadays, I feel like I don't want to do anything but I still manage to do what I have to do.

Anyway, the 'welcome to the course' email from the university states they expect students to be 'active' in class. A friend jokingly suggested I should pretend to work out in class to meet that requirement.

The welcome email also said the lecturers are so friendly they are often seen as family. Call me cynical, but I think this is total nonsense.

The course consists of just assignments and a dissertation. I've heard most students will be international.

My problem is how can I pretend to be part of the family without putting in any effort?

I have the charm of a rotting corpse and I'm not looking forward to pretending to be wholesome and terminally enthusiastic during class.

Thank you in advance.

[stilicho25]

crack a nonsensical joke about how the local sports team sucks before the class starts. That should pay your dues for at least a month.

[drydell]

wow have you been in Saudi 2 years already FTUK? I remember lots of your korea posts well!..time sure flies..

I think you are worrying too much about a 'welcome' email that was designed to big-up the course - you'll be fine..

Did Saudi help you overcome your homophobia? .

[edwardcatflap]

[fromtheuk]

I'm truly unambitious, I will probably do ESL for the rest of my life. It pays well in the Middle East and the job is very easy.

Maybe, I'll find the love of my life on the course. Somebody kind-hearted, beautiful, hygienic and a total introvert. Dream on.

[madoka]

I thought I spotted you in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGt0RnZcO88&feature=player_embedded

Is that you in the Hyundai Sonata?

Or were you one of the passengers firing the AKs?

[fromtheuk]

Sorry, not me. I drive sensibly.

Please stay on topic (I doubt madoka will manage to do so.)

[sadguy]

[madoka]

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Bah. More septic Kool Aid for Dave's to drink from

[fromtheuk]

'An impressive avatar an impressive poster doth not make madoka'.

STAY ON TOPIC, UNDERSTAND ENGLISH?!!!

My Korean co-workers didn't know how to flush their daily diarrhea down the toilet. This meant I had to clean up after them. True story folks.

No arrogance in fromtheuk.

I agree though ESL is far better than the dole. I plan to do this forever.

For anybody who has forgotten the OP, here it is again...

I've returned to England after finishing my 4th year of teaching English abroad. 2 years in Korea and 2 in Saudi Arabia.

On October 3rd, I'll have my first lecture for the MA TESOL course. It's a 1 year, full-time course.

I've tracked down my classroom.

I am notorious for not liking people of all backgrounds equally, mainly because the majority of people I've ever met tend to be unpleasant.

Anyway, the course induction is on October 1st. I'm not going to attend that, it's optional and it'll only give my colleagues more time to dislike me.

Nowadays, I feel like I don't want to do anything but I still manage to do what I have to do.

Anyway, the 'welcome to the course' email from the university states they expect students to be 'active' in class. A friend jokingly suggested I should pretend to work out in class to meet that requirement.

The welcome email also said the lecturers are so friendly they are often seen as family. Call me cynical, but I think this is total nonsense.

The course consists of just assignments and a dissertation. I've heard most students will be international.

My problem is how can I pretend to be part of the family without putting in any effort?

I have the charm of a rotting corpse and I'm not looking forward to pretending to be wholesome and terminally enthusiastic during class.

Thank you in advance.

[whatisinmyhead]

[Draz]

[No_hite_pls]

[Zackback]

Oh dude what you described about yourself fits me perfectly.
I will also add.............
People are annoying and should be avoided. ESL "works" for me in some strange kind of way - not really sure how though.
Just do what I do when teaching and meeting others. Wing it. More specifically, since you and I have seriously deficient personlalities for the so-called real world just let others do the talking. That is just ask them questions on and on and do a good job remembering what they say about themelves. People love to talk about what they are doing...never mind what anyone else thinks. On a sidenote this is why chicks dig me. I don't want them knowing much about me - there really isn't much to know anyway so I just pour the attention on them. This way after an hour of conversation in which they did 95% of the talking they walk away feeling like they really know me. They don't for the most part but they take my reservation as a sign of humility and real concern about what THEY think. Same holds true for ESL. Just shift virtually all the focus and attention on what the students want and how they feel.