Korean Job Discussion Forums

[frankly speaking]

Why do people think that being able to have a good paying job in their own country makes them a better teacher?

I met this guy who was some kind of banker back home. He remarked that so many teachers here in Korea couldn't make any money in their country so they come here to teach. But he was only here because he wanted to experience something different. Which made him better than everyone else.

Does that actually make someone a better teacher? I have met many good teachers here that couldn't earn much back home.

I also hear people talk about worthless degrees. That someone with a B.S. is better than someone who studied humanities. Look at Martha Stewart her BA was in Art History. Though her personality leaves little to be desired, she is quite bright and sucessful.


The other thing that I hear often is people stating that most EFL teachers in Korea aren't very good. Personally, I have found that most people I have met even though they are inexperienced, they have a great desire to improve themselves and care for the level of education that their students receive.

To those that think they are better than most EFL teachers in Korea, get off your high horses. I for one am quite proud to call myself a teacher and I think that most others in Korea deserve a little more respect.

On the other hand, I do believe that before people come teach they should try and get some experience either volunteering or substitute teaching prior to coming over here and diving into the deep end. The students deserve the best you have to offer. If you don't have anything to offer than don't come. But only you know that.

[Kimchieluver]

I know what you mean. I am guilty of often ASSuming that some teachers here are less qualified because they have some degree in basket weaving. however, when I hear them complain about the horrible work conditions (Staying until 4:30 even though they have no classes), I often remind them that in Canada they would be given make work projects if they were idle. Many teachers come here fresh out of uni and are really quite ignorant on how things are really done in the work force back home. So as an experienced professional I tell them the plain simple truth about jobs back home. I would dare say that most EPIK teachers (not all) that complain about their job have no professional experience.

The truth is simple. In North America, if you are not working a full 8 hour day you are dead weight. You will be laid off or replaced in some way. If you have to work overtime, YOU HAVE TO WORK OVERTIME, otherwise you lose your job.

So many teachers complain about the most trivial things (even myself), but if it was anything like North America they would definitely realize they are getting a lucky break.

[AwesomeA]

I have had many jobs in the US. From menial jobs like McDonald's to banking. The one thing I noticed that remains consistent is they want as much work out of you as they can get. Overtime, certainly isn't a question, in most cases a demand. The good thing are the mandatory 15 minute and lunch breaks. However, in professional environments the 15 minute breaks aren't always guaranteed.
There are good bosses, who treat you to good meals if you do a good job and bad bosses that exploit you any way they can. "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and what do you have? The Facts of Life, The Facts of Life, The Facts of Liiiife!!!"

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Almost no one here was a 'qualified' teacher back home teaching ESL to students of the same level and age that they are here. Even if they were the education systems are so different that there'd be little applicability. So I don't see what difference a person's background makes to their teaching here. I would count experience teaching Koreans above all else, and an ex-banker or ex-teacher with a few years' experience teaching Koreans who's learned the ropes and succeeded would be preferable to an ex-banker or ex-teacher fresh of the plane.

Quite frankly I think the most useful course I ever took in terms of preparing me to teach was secondary school drama.

[frankly speaking]

I think that you are right about Professionalism. It is important to build that but the only way is experience. All of my studies in Education didn't actually help me as much as my 6 months of student teaching. That was a wake up call.

The quality and difficulty in the workplace all depends on what kind of sector people are working in. I found that the US system for workers is quite good compared to most. I have mostly worked for the public sector and we had it pretty easy. The downside is lower pay than the private sector but less pressure and more benefits. I miss having 2 weeks (14 days)vacation, 2 weeks sick leave and 3-4 floating holidays. Not to mention the ability to work at home once or twice a week. Nothing beats doing your reports in your pajamas while watching cartoons while your co-workers are in their cubicles.

Experience is the real key. I think that people who have worked in Education or related fields will have learned some useful classroom management techniques; however, everything changes slightly once you start working in Korea(asia in general). I have been teaching in Asia for almost 8 years and I still make mistakes and keep changing my beliefs in education and style of teaching all the time. I wouldn't hire a newbie but I certainly respect anyone who can build upon their teaching ability.

I am also glad that there are more people taking some kind of training course like Tesol or Celta. Though I find some of their styles to be innefective and focus too much on free talking, it is important for us all to learn different methodoligies and approaches to learning.

A teacher must be a leader, a psychiatrist, councelor, moderator, judge,
diplomat, friend (ly), big brother/sister,

We must be able to understand what makes each kid tick and channel that to get them to achieve his/her goals. We must encourage and support them throughout all of their challenges. Above all I think it is important to attain their trust. I don't think that being the most popular teacher makes you the best but it is important that the students feel safe with you. If a student doesn't feel that they can trust you, then they won't try as hard. However, if they feel that trust in you, they are more likely to do whatever it takes to learn.

I have always liked the saying, students learn inspite of us not because of us. That always reminds me that my best students would be the best without me but the worst students who become good students I feel that I have a hand in that.

[PRagic]

That guy is a tool, pure and simple. Most of the people who I have met here over the years have indeed held pretty good jobs 'back home'. Most stay for a career choice, and enjoy the freedom decent schedules provide. The people I know that have moved back did so with a great deal of success, landing jobs in business, education, and government. They simply didn't want to live overseas, and/or didn't see themselves working in ESL education.

My job here at university pays over 50K/year, and I work the same number of hours I would at a university in N. American. I have to publish, and I am reviewed on a regular basis. As my research revolves around Korean-related topics, it's great being here. Also, my wife makes a load of coin here and we have a comfortable life. I wouldn't take a job back in N. America now even if I had the option to do so. Hell, even if I did, they'd have to pay me a lot to make it worth my while.

He feels superior because he HAD a job and left it to 'gain experience'? Whatever. I'd say he's sad because he had a job that wouldn't let him have a fulfilling life in the first place. It's all perspective.

[poet13]

In the last year before I 'retired' from that kind of work, I made +120KUS. I make less than a quarter that now. I wouldn't trade that for this for anything. Money is great, but there aer far too many things more important.

[PRagic]

Yup, and you can have the best of both worlds here if you play your cards right. I know quite a few people pulling over 100K a year here, myself included.

[Mashimaro]

[cosmo]

[PRagic]

I'm not on any high horse at all. The OP expressed dissatisfaction with the person that looked down on (ESL) teachers in Korea, stating that he had given up a fat salary and a 'real job' to discover himself over here, whereas teacher here can't or don't want to do anything else more challenging (my inference). I only alluded to income levels to demonstrate that one can indeed generate salaries on par with those offered by corporate workers in home countries.

It's not 'boasting' really, as even follow up replies to my post verified that quite a few people over here make that much. About the 100K a DAY reply? That, I cannot lend credence to. More power to them if they are pulling in that much, though. My wife pulls in some pretty serious coin, much more than me, but it isn't in THAT ballpark!

What do I do? I'm a teacher. Yes, I do some other work, and I might add legally, on the the side, but it is not teaching.

My point, I guess, is that teaching is like anything else; there are all sorts of opportunities, and the professional jobs are stratified as well. Always something to shoot for if you want to. Personal choice for most.

[twg]

[merkurix]

[Fresh Prince]

[cosmo]