Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cmxc]

Is this the end of English-teaching golden age?
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2014/09/162_164794.html

[jazzmaster]

[KimchiNinja]

Then there were the despicable ones who complained about everything. Some were racist, claiming Koreans were an inferior race. Others stated they liked Korea "because there were no minorities," yet did not eat Korean food and simply depended on fast food to survive.

Others spent hours on social media demonizing everything about Korea, calling it a racist country, while these same people argued that Martin Luther King Day should not be a holiday in their country. Fortunately these people were a tiny minority, but unfortunately they were very vocal.

Hey wait, is he talking about you guys??

[coralreefer_1]

I dont often comment on such things, but in this case I just cant help myself.


The "golden age" spoken of is little more than an age when FOB college kids could party their way through a year or so and find jobs as easily as I can find kimbab in the neighborhood. In short, this golden age was an age when Korean families were pretty much forced to spend tons of money for English education for bottom of the barrel teachers.

It was a golden age of rape and pillage of the Korean ESL market by a good portion of people whom might be better associated as marauding vikings than English teachers.

I personally have no sympathy if Jane from Buckwheat University with her Art degree, whom cannot find a dream job in the city she most wants to be in. Welcome to the real world

[edwardcatflap]

There are fewer jobs around in TEFL in Korea these days and conditions have got worse. He's into Korean culture and likes people who have the same interests, he doesn't like hypocrites and moaners. I think that's about it from the PHD student.

[coralreefer_1]

I would put out there though, that conditions haven't actually gotten "worse" except for those who have no qualifications or no interest in learning the language/getting with the program that is ESL in Korea.


I have more than a few friends whom have grown (some exponentially) in terms of base income/benefits/allowances to work outside of their main employer..etc. The important thing to note with such people is that they carry teaching certifications from back home, have a Masters in ESL, or in other ways are contributing to the industry via research or other projects.

I think conditions have only gotten "worse", for those on the bottom end whom are either FOB, or otherwise see ESL as something to do as a means to finance there vacations across Asia, with little to no real interest or ties to the country or the industry.

So with the above in mind, if we are to speak of an "end" to a "golden age"..I can only image a few possibilities.

1. End of the golden age when bums and packpackers could get the same jobs as those whom might be new, but at least make an effort to prepare themselves/learn/improve their ability.

2. End of the age where the difference between what I would term a "professional" teacher (the ones whom hold, or otherwise are pursuing certifications or degrees) enjoy the distinction between themselves and the types mention in #1., and see the benefits of that (There are more people out there that are serious about the profession, or at least see the value of putting in the effort to get certified)

[schwa]

Please learn the use of "whom." Butchered four times in the above post talking about qualifications & professionalism.

Rarely needed & best avoided.

[coralreefer_1]

[happiness]

This, again, this week?!?

My boss is offering me 2.5/2.6 for about 25 a week (with a bit of creative bit of moving around, whew) for my new contract, because I work hard, and proved myself I can do the work. It may end next year or not. For me, I think we need people who have less Celta and more business sense. I still think Korea has a lot of good opportunity.

For a bit of hussle, youd be surprised. I know one guy (with good credentials) teaching pronunciation through the history of pop music. Really. A bit envious on that.

But yes, it ended long time again for backpackers/alcoholic millennials who come here, do a crappy job, and mess around. My schools letting two go today, actually.

[misher]

Spent 2 years teaching adults n SK.



Wow.




Based on what I've seen, this article is VERY well written and an ACCURATE take on the current state of English teaching in South Korea.

In my opinion, if this article hits a nerve and you're one to take offense, then you're the exact kind of loser the author is pointing to.

The sad thing is, I became friends with quite a few guys that married Korean women and gave their all to better themselves by starting businesses, opening bars/restaurants, working in media, "consulting" businesses or "hedge funds." But at the end of the day, they were just some foreign guy with still little job security and had to teach English part time to supplement their income whether they liked it or not. There was no escaping it and it is why I got the hell out of the fucking place when I could.

If you submit yourself to the Korean state to provide employment as a western "non Korean" person, you're teaching English and you're an English teacher, period.

If you manage to get out of it 100% then congratulations, you're in the tiny tiny minority.

[Chaparrastique]

[atwood]

[atwood]

There's nothing wrong with that article. Although it might be interesting to find out why Akli was hanging out with English teachers instead of his Korean co-workers. He should have been able to learn a lot more about Korean language, history and culture from them.

[maximmm]

[Beeyee]

Some comments on this thread are somewhat correct.

The days of coming over here to extend college and party it up the whole time are largely coming to an end. And let's be frank with ourselves, the majority of native teachers here were doing just that.

I've had to let people go this year because they were not pulling their weight. The general attitude of entitlement and an extreme aversion to work seemed to be the norm in years passed. It's still that way to some degree, but they don't last very long.

So I think where the author is wrong is that there never was a 'golden age'. It was the exact opposite. I'm hopeful that competition and weakening economies in the west will improve the quality of arrivals to this country.