Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bosintang]

An article from Japan some people might be interested in reading.

Time to end the use of ALTs

An ALT in Japan isn't exactly the same as an ELI in Korea, especially in political and economic terms, but if anything, Korea has higher expectations and is spending comparatively more money. As well, I know EPIK/GEPIK look closely at Japan's JET program as a rival, if not nemesis, and radical changes in Japan could eventually affect the program here.

[roybetis1]

Hello, I spent almost 3 years as an ALT in Yokohama, and absolutely I agree that the JET program should be phased out. But the writer of the article insinuates that this is because of the inadequacy of the foreign teacher. In fact, the reason in my experience is because the Japanese education system is set against the communicative approach that most ESL teachers use.
Also, Japanese teachers, in my experience are simply not capable of working with foreign teachers as equals. That may sound racist, but in my experience it's true.
The JET program was originally set up as a cultural exchange program, teaching English was not it's intended purpose. That is why the JET program still has a 35 age limit. Somebody later decided that a program that specifically hires recent college grads should teach ESL, but they never changed the original guidelines of being a cultural exchange program.
And thus, the complete mess that is the JET. One of the reasons that the Mayor of Yokohama decided to cancel the program a few years ago. (Smart man). Unfortunately he turned it over to an even worse program, Interac.
So, if you're a public school teacher, quit complaining. You've got it good here.

[cubanlord]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[ChopChaeJoe]

[cubanlord]

[ChopChaeJoe]

We should remember that communication is the goal of language -- that is exchanging information. I got a gift from a student and his mother wrote a note thanking me for my "kindly and care." The meaning is clear although the syntax is not. Then again, I have no idea what bravo your life means.

[lover.asian]

[pest2]

I have heard that the JET program tends to promote a different teaching method than what is used in Korea. A big part of the teaching job includes just sitting in front of the class reading something in English so they can hear you speak English (!). I dont know anyone who does that for teaching thier classes here. I am guessing that whereas Korea's program is new and loose and less restricted insofar as prescribed teaching methodology for FTs, Japan's has been around for longer and also is more regulated. And the methodology they promote is, as someone said earlier, more like that of the 19th century.. however, if Korea could get organized the way Japan is, for this topic being discussed here, I could see FTs in public schools doing the same kinds of silly things as FTs in Japanese schools.

[Privateer]

[Unposter]

My experience with Korean learners of English says that they are very good at recognizing grammar but they are not so good at using grammar. They can disect a sentence but they cannot write a good sentence.

It all has to do with the way they teach and test. It is what most Korean teachers can do; it is what most Korean teachers can teach; and it is what most Korean students can do; except for those few who have had to actually use the language such as abroad or at some of the truly good hakwons in Gangnam.

It has become so systematic that few recognize the limitations and makes nothing less than a complete overhaul of the system, a daunting task, to make it better.

I don't know what goes on in Japan. But, maybe, sometimes, you have to break the whole thing before you can fix it.

[Boodleheimer]

[mountain goat]

I taught on the Jet Programme for 2 years, I felt completely redunant most of the time. I taught just 12 hours a week and yes I was bored but at the end of the month I was laughing when a vast sum of money was deposited into my bank account.

When I arrived though it soon became obvious that the teachers didnt want me there. They kept asking me why had I come over to teach when I had had no experience and couldn't speak Japanese, which I suppose is reasonable but I kept having to say, you know what, its just wasn't required. They told me at the interview that I would help to prepare materials and so it was a shock that they expected me to prepare and teach by myself. 12 hours is nothing of course, but then one of the other teachers came over to me and said "the teachers think you are lazy"-I was like what do you want me to do I only have 12 classes a week!

I had a friend who didn't teach for the last 6 months of her contract. There were just too many ALT's and not enough work so she just sat at the local education office. They just send people to schools where they are just not needed or wanted.

I taught with one teacher, who had spent time in the states and she was really good. She made the students speak to her in english even outside the class. I think the money would be better spent sending Japanese english teachers abroad and not waste so much money on something they cant genuinely make work.