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bosintang
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Location: In the pot with the rest of the mutts
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 Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 4:57 am Post subject: "Unqualified Teacher" conversations w/ MS students |
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The first time, shortly after the whole SBS nonsense, I was goofing off in class a bit teasing my students, and one of my middle-school girls said to me "Are you one of those fake teachers?" I tried to push her a bit on it, but she giggled and said "nothing..", so I let it go.
Today I was having a conversation with a very high-level student and he brought up the subject of foreign teachers: "Many foreign teachers who come here, have low marks in University [and drop out.], so they just buy copies of their degrees." In my own words, he went on to say that these foreign teachers would be nobodies in their home countries, but here they are in a land of opportunity.
Nothing terribly original here, of course, but still, it was disheartening to hear this from my student. It's a terrible perception for students to have this of their teachers, and it is has potential of being a self-fulfilling prophecy. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:08 am Post subject: |
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Yes, that is discouraging. That attitude was not nearly so common when I first came to Korea in '94--as far as I know. At least no one expressed it to me.
IMO, the only way to deal with that reputation is by countering it with the best darn lessons delivered everyday by professional-acting and professional-looking teachers. Then at least, when the topic comes up among Koreans, our students can say, "Well, maybe. But my teacher is good." |
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Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:17 am Post subject: |
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[deleted]
Last edited by Gopher on Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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bosintang
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Location: In the pot with the rest of the mutts
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:53 am Post subject: |
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| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
Yes, that is discouraging. That attitude was not nearly so common when I first came to Korea in '94--as far as I know. At least no one expressed it to me.
IMO, the only way to deal with that reputation is by countering it with the best darn lessons delivered everyday by professional-acting and professional-looking teachers. Then at least, when the topic comes up among Koreans, our students can say, "Well, maybe. But my teacher is good." |
You're right. That's basically the method I use. I go to my classes prepared, and try my best.
Sometimes it's difficult though. It's difficult when you are teaching materials that are not appropriate. It's difficult when you teach middle-school students who have erratic schedules at the best of times. It's difficult when you have ass-clown co-workers who pretty well fit the description of the "unqualified" teacher to a tee. Sigh..but you do your best. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 6:33 am Post subject: Re: "Unqualified Teacher" conversations w/ MS stud |
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| bosintang wrote: |
The first time, shortly after the whole SBS nonsense, I was goofing off in class a bit teasing my students, and one of my middle-school girls said to me "Are you one of those fake teachers?" I tried to push her a bit on it, but she giggled and said "nothing..", so I let it go.
Today I was having a conversation with a very high-level student and he brought up the subject of foreign teachers: "Many foreign teachers who come here, have low marks in University [and drop out.], so they just buy copies of their degrees." In my own words, he went on to say that these foreign teachers would be nobodies in their home countries, but here they are in a land of opportunity.
Nothing terribly original here, of course, but still, it was disheartening to hear this from my student. It's a terrible perception for students to have this of their teachers, and it is has potential of being a self-fulfilling prophecy. |
It's hardly a perception though. It is absolutely true what he said. Notice he didn't say 'all" he said "many" and he is spot-on. It is already a self-fullfilled prophecy. However, given the new regulations by Immigration and whatever future restrictions they may see fit to impose, this industry may at last begin to clean itself up. |
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bosintang
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Location: In the pot with the rest of the mutts
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| Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 6:50 am Post subject: Re: "Unqualified Teacher" conversations w/ MS stud |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
It's hardly a perception though. It is absolutely true what he said. Notice he didn't say 'all" he said "many" and he is spot-on.
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I agree. Regardless of whether it's true or not, it's still a terrible perception for middle-school students to have of their teachers. As Gopher pointed out, who wants their students to be playing the "gotcha" game?
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It is already a self-fullfilled prophecy. However, given the new regulations by Immigration and whatever future restrictions they may see fit to impose, this industry may at last begin to clean itself up.
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What I meant is that this could turn into a vicious cycle. Middle and high school students believe their English teachers are a bunch of expatriated deadbeats, and they'll treat them like that. Perhaps some teachers would like to fight this uphill battle, but by the nature of the uncontrollables of this job, it would not be easy, and I think it could only encourage good teachers to go somewhere else where they are more valued.
As for this industry beginning to clean itself up, I said it before, I'm not holding my breath. Yes, immigration will have new requirements (transcripts!  ), but until they attack the fundamental root problems that are driving this industry -- the greed and swindling of the academy owners -- any changes made are going to be little more than cosmetic. |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:10 am Post subject: Re: "Unqualified Teacher" conversations w/ MS stud |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| However, given the new regulations by Immigration and whatever future restrictions they may see fit to impose, this industry may at last begin to clean itself up. |
Fill me in: what new regulations? |
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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| bosintang wrote: |
but until they attack the fundamental root problems that are driving this industry -- the greed and swindling of the academy owners -- any changes made are going to be little more than cosmetic.
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It is not just this industry but every industry in Korea...
It is a countrywide and cross-industry problem and until the whole country starting from the top looks in on itself then nothing will ever happen in any industry let alone ours which the amount of foreigners it employs is relatively unimportant... |
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hari seldon
Joined: 05 Dec 2004
Location: Incheon
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:37 am Post subject: Re: "Unqualified Teacher" conversations w/ MS stud |
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| EFLtrainer wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| However, given the new regulations by Immigration and whatever future restrictions they may see fit to impose, this industry may at last begin to clean itself up. |
Fill me in: what new regulations? |
See: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=40191 |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:42 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks. |
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hari seldon
Joined: 05 Dec 2004
Location: Incheon
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:07 am Post subject: Re: "Unqualified Teacher" conversations w/ MS stud |
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| bosintang wrote: |
| ...Today I was having a conversation with a very high-level student and he brought up the subject of foreign teachers: "Many foreign teachers who come here, have low marks in University [and drop out.], so they just buy copies of their degrees." |
Obviously we have an image problem that won't be cured overnight, but the new regulations are a step in the right direction as they should help eliminate ARC-holders with fake degrees. |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:13 am Post subject: |
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One of the intersting elements in all this is that so few hagwons actually want teacher. They want native speakers or people that will do whatever the parents want, but not really teachers. What are they going to do when all they can get is a (pseudo-)qualified person who actually wants to teach?
hmmm...
EFLtrainer
www.geocities.com/killiankob/index.html |
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Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:39 am Post subject: |
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[deleted]
Last edited by Gopher on Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:01 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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guangho
Joined: 19 Jan 2005
Location: a spot full of deception, stupidity, and public micturation and thus unfit for longterm residency
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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If the average Korean could decide wether he liked me or hated my guts, my life would be so much easier. Ditto if women started entering the workforce and had something to do with themselves that did not involve pestering me.
By the way, as far as the transcripts go, how about calling the University directly to verify that Joe Shmo graduated? |
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Homer
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:49 am Post subject: |
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| By the way, as far as the transcripts go, how about calling the University directly to verify that Joe Shmo graduated? |
Sounds like the next logical step.
A teacher I knew in Busan back in 1999 is now running a recruitment agency to place teachers here. He and his other recruiters already do this (Call the university). They have been shocked at the high number of fakes they have been able to smoke out that way.
The problem is not just the hakwon system. It is also on the supply side (teachers). Reforms need to affect both sides of the equation.
What immigration has done and is doing is a step in the right direction. Regulations on the quality of supply (teachers) will inevitably improve the system as a whole. It won't happen overnight. But it will happen. |
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