Girlandtheworld’s Girls Of The World 

113 Responses to Teaching in Korea from a Korean perspective – A Girlandtheworld Girls Of The World interview

1. Caitlin says:

   November 30, 2011 at 5:53 am

   This is a really good interview. I’ve been feeling a bit like Koreans are getting fed up with Westerners lately. It’s really frustrating that there are teachers out there who take advantage of a really great opportunity for English teachers and Korean students alike. I’ve heard far too many stories about foreigners doing stupid things and disrespecting Korean culture. At the same time, those are the stories that stick out-and I know far more good teachers than I do bad ones. I think to make the relationship a bit more beneficial it might be a good idea to give Foreign teachers a little more leeway and opportunity for actual conversation rather than having such a dependence on texts. I’m really looking forward to more of your interviews!!!

   Reply
2. girlandtheworld says:

   November 30, 2011 at 6:10 am

   Hi Caitlin,

   Thanks so much for your kind comments. I’m really glad you enjoyed the interview. I think you are right, there are teachers who ruin it for the others, but then there are also problems coming from the other side that restrict teachers from teaching as well as they could. It’s a difficult and complicated subject to tackle, and one I wouldn’t even know where to begin on throwing out any suggestions for.

   I do, however, know that cutbacks have been made for next year and that (in Seoul at least) native English teachers are being taken out of all high schools because the government have decided the money would be better spent on free lunches for students. I am interested to see how (and if) this change effects high school students’ language skills.

   Reply
3. Josh says:

   November 30, 2011 at 8:39 am

   As a native English speaker teacher in Korea, this interview really stirred up many emotions. I am almost tempted to go point by point through this to disagree with a lot of what the interviewee says, but I will try to be a bit more concise.

   To address her first response, I fail to see a problem with NETs coming here to “do so called teacher thing” for “money and have fun at the night time”. Don’t most people work so they can afford to have fun? Further, as long as the job is getting done, who cares what a NET is doing in their free time?

   I understand that Ms. Ok is an opinionated and vocal person, but she more or less loses credibility when she makes a broad generalization about “most foreigners” not respecting Korean culture. She admits she has met only a few foreign teachers, so she can only go off of hearsay and media reports. I can assure you, I have met far more NETs than Ms. Ok, and in my experience, the overwhelming majority do the best they can to respect Korean culture. We make mistakes on occasion, but that is to be expected and should be forgiven, not condemned. Even if we did an enormous amount of homework before coming here, we couldn’t possibly learn all the customs and etiquette to blend in seamlessly. When I speak to Koreans with the very little Korean I know, I always make sure to use the formal forms, and try to abide by customs. I can guarantee you; I am not the only one.

   Ms. Ok referred to an article she read recently, and to which I believe I read that same article. What Ms. Ok fails to mention is that the parents and students did see a benefit of NETs helping students get over their fear of foreigners. Koreans NEED this. Korea is widely accepted to be one of the most xenophobic countries in the world. Ms. Ok constantly refers to how NETs disrespect Korean culture, but I would like to point out much of the blatant disrespect NETs receive simply for not being Korean. We get pointed at, laughed at, stared at, and our pictures taken. Taxi drivers, delivery men, and shop keepers tune us out because they assume we can’t say anything in Korean. Hagwon owners often blatantly break labor laws and contracts with their teachers. These are all things that, as guests in Korea, give us a negative outlook on Korea. Respect works both ways, and if we aren’t afforded even basic human dignity as guests in this country, how can we be expected to show respect back?

   I also had to laugh out loud when Ms. Ok actually argued AGAINST correct pronunciation. As a Korean, I would hope she would understand the value of correct pronunciation. If it wasn’t important, I wouldn’t have such a hard time getting my damn taxi driver to make a left turn. I agree with Ms. Ok that NETs can be ineffective when teaching students based on a limited knowledge of Korean, however if she has spent any time with a Korean English teacher, she would know that their English skills are passable at best. Hell, Ms. Ok’s English skills appear to be passable as best.

   The problem with her argument of using only Korean English teachers is one of limited returns. A student, under perfect conditions, will only become as proficient as their teacher. The majority of students, of course, will fail to achieve that level. Therefore, if the English teacher’s English isn’t at the native speaker level, you are putting a cap on these kids proficiency.

   What works best, in my opinion is to have a Korean English teacher and Native teacher work together in tandem. This way, the kids can understand the lesson while at the same time getting the benefits of working with a proper native speaker. In my experience, Korean pronunciation is horrible. That makes it damn near impossible to understand what is being said half the time, and if you can’t understand what is being spoken, what is the point?

   I could also go on about the broken Korean educational system as a whole, but I will hold off on that.

   Reply
4. girlandtheworld says:

   November 30, 2011 at 8:54 am

   Hi Josh,

   Thanks for your response. I think this is a delicate issue for both Koreans and NETs, which is exactly what made this interview worthy of publishing for me. I agree with you on some levels, although I should point out that the interviewee is fluent in English (she spent some time in Australia and is far more proficient in English than 90% of the English teachers at my school) and has an extremely wide range of native English friends. I guess this is what makes the interview so interesting, as it makes me wonder about the thoughts of those Koreans who do not mix so widely with foreigners in Korea.

   I will pass your thoughts on to the interviewee so she can have her own say.

   Reply
5. Josh says:

   November 30, 2011 at 9:11 am

   obviously she is fluent in English, as evidenced by her responses…but there are still MANY mistakes in her writing that a native speaker wouldn’t make, which is why I think the tandem idea would work best.

   Further, I am wondering how much contact with foreigners she has had outside of Seoul. Foreigners in Seoul, just like Koreans in Seoul, are VASTLY different than the rest of the country. There is a different, more “Americanized” culture in Seoul, so I could see how foreigners might be perceived as acting more American.

   Also, I should point out that while Americans are the majority of NETs, there are a wide variety of other cultures represented who I think would take offense to being labeled as Americans….but then again, do Koreans recognize the difference between Americans, Canadian, Brits, and the like…or are we all just “waygooks” to them?

   Reply
6. Alex says:

   November 30, 2011 at 10:00 am

   O.k well, where to start, I’m going to keep these comments as polite as I possibly can.

   First of all, “doing so called “teacher thing” so they can get some money and have fun at the night time”.

   Korean schools have a policy of hiring NET’s that are as young as possible. This is rampant throughout both the private academy and public school process. There are a number of reasons for this, firstly, they are cheaper as they have less life experience and are less likely to have as many teaching qualifications. Secondly, they are more likely, especially in private academies to be docile and agree to all their bosses demands, because of the first reason stated. When your country goes out of its way to bring over foreigners who are you, and usually fresh out of university it is likely they are going to enjoy going out socialising, drinking and having a good time. That is what people all over the world in their early 20′s do. However, if you were to actually make any effort to get to know many foreigners I’m sure you would find out that the majority come here either for the cultural experience combined with the fact it is a reasonably well paid job.

   “Do you think that most foreigners behave in a way that respects Korean culture? No, most of them are not. Some people who has been living here for four years still can’t speak Korean and has few Korean friends”.

   I have been living in Korea for 2 1/2 years and know next to no Korean. Why? Because quite honestly it’s not really worth the time and effort to learn. I will be leaving Korea in the next year, precisely because of attitudes from Korean people that resemble yours. Once a foreigner leaves Korea their knowledge of Korean is, quite honestly, useless. Now I’m sure you’re thinking “well what about when you are in Korea?”. Well, the majority of Korean people have no interest in socialising with foreigners. Foreigners in Korea are sidelined, the only time a Korean person makes any effort to speak or communicate with a foreigner is when they want to practice their English, or they think it looks cool to have a foreign friend. Couple this with the fact that in many cities and towns in Korea, there are bars and clubs that are popular with local Koreans that don’t allow foreigners in. There has been plenty of research done to show that the more welcoming a culture from which a language derives the more likely a person is to learn that language. When, for example, I lived in Mexico, I became almost fluent in Spanish in 12 months. So, perhaps you should consider the faults with Korean society and attitudes towards foreigners that puts them off learning Korean.

   “Some other people just get drunk as much as they can in the street and shout a lot at the night.”

   I am woken up almost every night at around 2-3a.m by drunk Korean people walking past my apartment shouting, but that’s alright for Korean people is it? Last week I was going to get the bus to work, I get on the bus at the same place as many of my students, and there is a Korean man in his full business suit passed out by the bus stop, covered in his own sick. He then stands up, and proceeds to pull out his penis, and urinate all over the bus stop in front of young female students who attend my school. But this is okay, because he is Korean? The teachers at my school, on a Friday lunch time go to a local pork restaurant and drink beer and soju with their lunch. I don’t know a single foreign teacher in Korea who would dream of drinking alcohol during school hours.

   Do you feel that Korean students are benefiting from having native English speakers in their schools?

   “Most of so called native teacher in Korea came to Korea to teach English even before they ever taught people English before. Undereducated native teacher is the problem. They don’t know how to teach non-native students. And some of them don’t even try their best to teach students.”

   Lets clear something up here, there are plenty of qualified teachers who apply to teach in Korea who either get turned down, or are put off by Korea’s reputation with how they treat foreigners or don’t like the look of the working conditions here. Korean education authorities and private academies either have a budget or are a business. They hire the cheapest teachers, not the best teachers. Qualified and experienced teachers expect more money. I have a friend who worked in Korea for 3 years. Once he had completed his M.A TESOL he was told the school would not be able to renew his contract as he was now too far up the pay scale and they could get someone fresh out of college for 500,000 won a month less. I also have several friends who are qualified primary school teachers in the U.K but are leaving because they on the same pay as someone fresh from university. Qualified teachers are not interested in working private academies because Korean academies have such a terrible reputation in the English language teaching industry. On one of my training courses in Thailand, i recommended Korea to all of the 24 qualified teachers on the course and all of them told they would not work in Korea because of what they had heard about the way private academies here treat people. Not just the way they treat foreigners, but the way they treat Korean teachers too.

   “Also, why do 6-7 years old children need native speaker? And why do 8-17 years old students need to learn perfect pronunciation?”

   I suggest you do some more research on your own countries educational policy before making unsubstantiated remarks such as ‘that’s insane’. In 2 years time all Korean students will have to take both a speaking and a writing exam as part of their National University Entrance Examination. Korean teachers level of English is either not to a standard where they can teach speaking and writing skills to the level needed, or they do not have the confidence to teach these skills. If, you actually did your research before making such remarks, you would find that the Korean national syllabus for English education has had, as it’s prime goal, developing students ability to communicate in English. In order to develop your ability to communicate in English you must communicate in English. Despite having this is the goal of national curriculum how much time do you think Korean English teachers actually spend speaking in English. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you the answer to this. I would love to see this newspaper article you are basing your claim that Korean people don’t appreciate native teachers on, but if that were the case why will Korean parents pay MORE to send their children to an academy that has native English teachers? Your argument doesn’t really make sense here does it?

   “Why do you think so many native English teachers come to Korea? I guess its all because of money.”
   I’ve got news for you, Korea doesn’t pay that well, I could go and save more money by working in, to name just a few, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, etc. Most foreign people come to Korea to experience teaching and Korean culture, only to leave within one or two years due to the hostility shown by Korean people or because of the way they are treated by private academies. Perhaps instead you should answer the questions “why do so many foreigners leave Korea so quickly?”

   “What would you say are the main differences between Western and Korean culture? Korea has community spirit and share culture – united country spirit. Korea calls Korea “our country” not “my country.” Koreans are strong and warmhearted.”

   Well this just made me laugh, you have just spent an entire interview slating foreign people with absolutely no reasoning to back up any of you claims, basically spouting racist slanders, and then you describe your country as warm hearted? Who exactly are you warm hearted to? And united, need I remind you of historical events such as the Gwangju massacre, in which your president slaughtered 100′s of people with no reason? Or the Silmido incident, in which the same party that is currently in power slaughtered an entire infantry of your army, just because it would ruin his reputation if people knew he existed? And as for community spirit, you have the highest suicide rate in the developed world. 1 in 4 deaths among Korean teenagers is suicide, caused by the failings in Korean society, do strong people take their own lives at such a high rate?

   Despite the facts I have written here I actually adore my life in Korea, other than the attitudes of some Korean people. However, I would like to start a family with my girlfriend, and we have both agreed that because of attitudes like this we would not want a half English half Korean child growing up in Korea, and so, I can sit here without responding strongly to your racist attitude.

   Reply
7. Rachel says:

   November 30, 2011 at 10:31 am

   Well if she is fluent, she sure made a lot of grammatical errors in her response…showcasing exactly why native English teachers are so valuable in Korea.
   The point here is that your interviewee admits that she has little contact with foreign English teachers. And frankly, her stereotypical and highly offensive views regarding foreigners and foreign teachers shows exactly how little she knows about them. Not to mention that she blames foreigners for coming here to be paid well, an incentive that has been promoted by the Korean government for decades.
   Most foreign English teachers I know come here in large part to experience and immerse themselves in another culture. Of course we come because we are paid well, but we also work very hard. I teach 6-7 hours a day and spend 1-2 hours on class prep. I am allotted a total of 3 paid vacation days every 6 months by my hagwon. It is insulting that the interviewee utterly discounts the hard work that so many foreigners put into their teaching.
   Oh, and just as a sidenote, part of the reason why some foreign English teachers drink a lot in Korea is due at least partially to the fact that the social drinking is so much a part of Korean culture.

   Reply
8. Richard Purves says:

   November 30, 2011 at 5:05 pm

   Dear Girlandtheworld,

   I read your interview with some consternation, as I felt that by asking someone you openly admit is an “outspoken and opinionated person” you would naturally be getting an outspoken and opinionated answer, which would seem to be counter to presenting a balanced view (though I realize you never claimed you were looking for balance).
   I’d like to give some general background on the position I’m speaking from, before I start addressing the points that your interview raised.
   I came to Korea over five years ago, after getting fed up with my job (at least the pay and lack of adventure) back in the UK. I had several Korean friends there who actually encouraged me to come to Korea to teach English. After a year spent in a Hakwon in a small city in the middle of nowhere, I moved to Seoul to work in a public middle school, I worked there for four years. During that time I kept up my interest in archaeology (which was my major and old job) and developed a strong interest in North East Asian archaeology. I am now studying my masters degree at Seoul National Uni. (in Korean). I don’t particularly like to blow my own trumpet, but I think that its important to set some context for the points I’m going to raise.

   Firstly, some general points. The double standard that Miss Ok is employing seems a little unfair. She claims that all most foreigners want to do is get drunk as much as possible and shout in the street. Yet she fails to mention the countless Korean students, office workers, old men, and the list goes on, the you can see on most nights and almost any given weekend around the streets of Seoul. It seems like she is implying that foreigners are the only people in Korea who get drunk and disorderly. Perhaps the fact is that foreigners are more visible, and so she notices that more? Or perhaps she is insinuating that since most foreigners here are teachers, they should behave like Korean teachers? (Though I have seen a great many of my old co-teachers too drunk to walk or talk properly).
   Secondly, I find her statement that she doesn’t “feel good about that foreigners get a offer to be a teacher in Korea” to be a bit curious? Why? If she were able to get a reasonably well paying job in a foreign country which did not require very rigorous qualifications then I am assuming she would not take it on principle? At the end of the day a lot of times when I hear this kind of sentiment I can’t help but feel that it boils down to a certain sense of jealousy. Completely understandable jealousy, but jealousy nonetheless. I admit it, we as native English speakers are incredibly lucky to have such an option available to us, but if the tables were turned, I’m pretty sure a lot of Koreans would be applying for those NKT jobs. (I would be interested to hear her reply to that point).

   Now, to address more specific points.

   Miss Ok claims that most foreigners here don’t want to learn the language, don’t have many Korean friends, and just want to live their home life in Korea. Firstly, the language thing. Now, I speak pretty good Korean, but I am incredibly blessed that as an adult I still have the mind for learning languages. What Miss Ok fails to take into account is that she, and a lot of Koreans, have had the ‘benefit’ or learning English since they were in primary school. Even if they didn’t pay attention in class, didn’t care about English, or never wanted to go abroad in their life, this gives them a significant advantage in learning the language later. It is a well known fact that as a person gets older their ability to learn new languages diminishes. Some people, despite their best intentions and efforts, are not language learners. Combine these two facts together and you come up with a situation which makes it very very hard for people to learn Korean (which is one of the 5 most difficult languages in the world to learn for an English speaker). Now I’m not excusing the people who just don’t try, but the large majority of people arrive here with the intention of “picking up some Korean” but then find it so insanely difficult that they give up. Coupled to this is the fact that most of the Koreans they meet are more than happy to speak English to them, tell them to “just speak English” whenever they start butchering a sentence or forget a word or actively discourage them from speaking Korean because they “want to practice their English anyway”. In fact since I am assuming that Miss Ok made friends with you, and has other foreigner friends, does she make a point to speak Korean with them as much as possible? Also, was a part of her motivation to go out and find foreign friends down to wanting to ‘keep up her English skills’? (Again, interested to hear her answer).
   As for not having Korean friends, again, a lot of foreigners here can’t speak the language well, and so it becomes difficult to make good friends. The longer you are here as a foreigner the more you will also get more and more frustrated with the Koreans who are just making friends with you to practice their English. In an ironic twist on that, I actually had a couple of Korean acquaintances who stopped contacting me because I WOULD ONLY speak Korean to them, and they wanted to speak English.
   She also touches on the idea that most foreigners don’t want to understand Korean culture (and through the interview I got the feeling of “don’t want to comply to” as well). Now, its true. A lot of foreigners come to Korea, and basically get complete culture shock and engage in a lot of cultural misunderstandings. The problem is that culture shock and misunderstanding happens two ways. It’s not just me misunderstanding the Korean position on something, it’s also the Korean misunderstanding my position. Now at this point I feel like Miss Ok’s reaction would be “… but you are in OUR country, so it doesn’t matter if we don’t understand you, because it’s you who is in the wrong place”. In my experience this is a pretty typical reaction by anyone who doesn’t live in a country that has a lot of different ethnicities/nationalities living there. It’s also the kind of rhetoric you can see coming out of a lot of uneducated white British racists as they shout at the Muslim people. Enough said.
   I raise the above point because a lot of Koreans seem to fundamentally miss the point that culturally, we are not looking for the same things out of our lives that Koreans are. In her answer to “What is important to Koreans” she, as a 24 year old woman just out of Uni, replies “Settle down to their home for the rest of life”. What a lot of Koreans don’t seem to realize is that this kind of aspiration is not really a part of western culture anymore. Koreans look at foreigners and too many times assume that Korean cultural values about life are applicable to everyone else. That means that they see a lot of foreigners, judge them as if they were Korean, and then conclude, “wow, that person is so irresponsible with their life, because they should be doing A,B, or C with it right now”. I am 29, Koreans ask me what I will do once I finish my masters and I say “I have no idea”, and they look at me with either horror, confusion or concern. I do the same thing in the UK or US, people shrug and say “fair play”. Koreans then tend to treat people as if they are irresponsible or immature, just because they happen to be doing something that is not culturally normal for a Korean. This feeds in to the reciprocal misunderstandings that make Koreans think a lot of times we are not respecting their culture.
   I’d also like to bring up that, having a couple of Korean friends in the UK, and from speaking to my Korean friends here… when Koreans go abroad, they generally do the same things in terms of not really having any local friends, only hanging out with other Koreans and not really joining in with the “local culture” of the place they are in. This is part of the reason there are “Korea Towns” in the US and the UK. However, for Koreans abroad this is not so much of an issue, as Koreans are not generally a particularly visible minority in the countries they generally end up visiting/working/living in.

   Miss Ok’s remarks on NSET’s in schools seems totally misinformed. Firstly, 6-7 year old children greatly benefit from having a native speaker, as this is the prime time for language acquisition. Any poorly learned phonics or grammar structure at this stage will prove very difficult to fix later on. Also, at this age kids are much less shy and don’t care too much about making mistakes. Getting them used to speaking to a foreigner, rather than a Korean, will give them a relaxed attitude in later situations.
   For the older kids, it is about confidence, it is about making boring language lessons fun, and it is about forcing them to speak English. Miss Ok suggests that English teachers who can speak Korean would be best. As a former English teacher who can speak Korean, I could not agree less. When your students know you can speak Korean, as soon as they find something difficult, or should go to the dictionary, or know something but are too lazy to put the effort into saying it, if they know you can understand and speak Korean, they will just use Korean. That might be ok when you are teaching the lowest ability levels, but when it is happening in high level classes, it is missing the point of language education. The same point applies for Korean English teachers who have a high level of English. I cannot tell you the amount of times I have looked on in frustration as my co-teacher translated everything into Korean as soon as the kids started looking puzzled as a question. Again, that is not the point of language education.
   Her point here “Undereducated native teacher is the problem. They don’t know how to teach non-native students. And some of them don’t even try their best to teach students” is incredibly valid. There are a lot of NSET’s and even more Hakwon teachers out there who are just bad teachers. The problem is, there are also a lot of Korean teachers of English (and of all subjects) who are either bad teachers or have become lazy over their careers. That is a problem you have with teaching being a job, and it does not just apply to NSET’s. (And the flip side of course is that, like in any area, every now and again someone with no qualifications comes along and turns out to be a great teacher). Korea does need to become more selective in their screening of potential teachers (and especially at university level, where the idea that you can get a university teaching job with a TEFL certificate and be referred to as a professor is frankly a joke) but the fact is the native speaking teachers DO have a positive effect on language learners, not only from a technical perspective but also in providing context for language.

   I feel I should also raise a point about the issue of NSET’s in the media. It seems to me that the issue has gained head recently with the national elections coming up next year. The idea of foreigners in Korea and general, and education is always a hot election topic, but it seems to me that rather than concentrating on the easy issue “paying to put NSET’s in school”, Koreans should be focusing on the much larger, much more serious issue “should/how can we get parents to take more responsibility for their children’s education, seeing as we are trying to move that power away from the teachers”. That is the critical issue in Korean education today, and yet it is one that is not being talked about. Teachers are being told they have less and less authority over students (something lots of my old co-teachers talked to me about with concern) and yet parents still expect to pack their kids off to school and just forget about them. If there is a problem and they school has to call the parents, more often than not the parents end up shouting at the teachers that it is the teachers job to discipline the kids. (Again, interested in Miss Ok’s thoughts about that).

   All in all, I think that although she raised one good points, Miss Ok basically trots out the stereotypical view of foreign teachers in Korea. That is a bit disappointing from someone whom it would seem has some foreign friends who are teachers and has spent time in another country.

   Reply
   • Richard Purves says:

     December 1, 2011 at 7:48 am

     Oops… should also point out my Masters is in North-east Asian and Korean archaeology, and that I study it in Korean language. NOT I am doing a Masters in Korean language! :S

     Reply
9. Grrrl Traveler | Christine says:

   November 30, 2011 at 8:55 pm

   Good interview! So sorry that this Korean teacher feels this way. It confirms the negative sentiments we foreigners, feel KTs have for us. I won’t go into every point but I feel similarly to @Josh. Although I’ve seen my share of foreigners act badly, I’ll have to defend my fellow NET.

   1. Do you know we get close to the pay that KTs get, but they’re required to go to college and make teaching their major and their job for life? (I’m speaking for the public schools…) Imagine the resentment as NETs waltz in with their salary and extra perks, and all we have to do is be a talking recorder. BUT, if the KT doesn’t give us more responsibility in the class, then Korea’s just bought an expensive talking recorder. Most of the time, the NET is looking for a way to make a difference and do a better job, but doesn’t feel they’re given the authority to do so.

   2. Korea is prejudiced to age. It “prefers young” teachers fresh out of college. Hmmm.. what does logic say to you? Who can blame young adults for partying and exploring? It’s part of their “growing up” process, as is “learning responsibility”. As an older teacher in Korea, I’ve had a professional career, dealt heavy responsibilities and prefer a sedate lifestyle. I don’t drink– not very Korean either. Korea is the only country I know, where young adults to grannies drink heavily. Culture shock is seeing people yr parents age, tumbling around drunk.

   Also, I can only speak for Daegu EPIK teachers, but as young as some NETs were, they really stepped up to the plate and were committed to teaching. Some even spent extra time and their own money on their lesson plans; as a result, they’ve had to deal with KTs who looked unfavorably upon their extra efforts. KTs compete with NETs for Ss favors too.

   3. Speaking Korean. I took classes; but, as an Asian, who gets mistaken for being Korean, I’ve had to un-learn it. Knowing Korean doesn’t stand in any yellow-man’s favor; we get treated worse. However it’s very impressive to them when a Caucasian tries to learn it!

   4. Hate to say this– unless a Korean has gone to university in the U.S. or has taken serious interest in learning English, Korean pronunciation of English is kinda bad. My pet peeve is watching K-dramas where they’re trying to use English. How can a trained actor (a big star, even) kill an English accent, when it’s one word or 2 lines? Most of them do. My KT was decent at speaking, but she’d always refer to me as “HE”. In a professional business setting, this mistake? Not okay.

   Reply
10. caleb says:

    November 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    Okay, guys, Let me get this straight.
    Some of you mentioned that you didn’t even give an effort to learn about Korean language and blame Koreans because the Korean culture has been exclusive to the foreigners? That’s a good excuse… Then I consider that you DON’T even deserve to teach students as a TEACHER.
    Wherever you want to go teaching something, you should have to deal with their cultural differences and try to understand their languages in order to create an adequate method of teaching if you have precisely recognized you are eligible. If you didn’t, sorry dude. It’s quite outrageous.

    Furthermore, you indicated the failed education system which provokes the violation of the law in education industries. I can understand that. However, how many qualified NETs who’s passionate about teaching English heading to Korea would you figure out? And why Korea? Well, I bet you already know that.

    Another one, I was so upset you thoughtlessly mentioned about the transitional phenomenon of the Korean history. It was obvious tragedy but our country was under a military dictatorship in those days. No matter what happened earlier, I would never allow you to point out our over 5,000years of history because judging by someone who’s from the country established such a short period is totally irritated. No offensive dude.

    Hopefully, hold the comments that could spark a storm of criticism. I am posting this comment to the people who are not eligible to cooperate with particular Korean culture.

    Reply
    • T says:

      December 1, 2011 at 5:47 am

      I am with Caleb on this one. I also want to address with “the only reason why Koreans want a foreign friend is for someone to practice English with”. While I don’t doubt this happens, it is a bit unfair to say that EVERY Korean feels this way. I happen to have some very close Korean friends who actually enjoy having a legitimate friendship with me. Sure, approach a friendship cautiously if you think they are using you, but to turn around and say “all Koreans want is someone to practice English with” is insulting. And to be perfectly honest, a lot of the foreigners I know who complain about having no Korean friends are the type of people who sit there and bitch about Korean culture and all the things “wrong” with it anyways.

      Reply
      • Richard Purves says:

        December 1, 2011 at 10:59 am

        Dear T,

        I don’t think anyone said that “the only reason why Koreans want a foreign friend is for someone to practice English with”. I certainly made the point that for SOME Koreans wanting to practice English is PART of the REASON why they make friends with foreigners. I’m not cynically suggesting that every Korean who starts a friendship with a foreigner does so because of this reason, but we were talking about why foreigners don’t/struggle to learn Korean, and this issue is PART of the reason.

        To continue this point a little bit, what I find interesting is that I will often speak Korean to a Korean, only to have them reply in English. I will continue to speak in Korean to them, and they will continue to speak in English. Now, I study a fairly hard subject and I go to lectures and write papers in Korean. Now I KNOW my Korean is pretty good (definitely good enough to have a basic conversation with someone), and yet despite this I sometimes get treated like the person I am speaking to can’t understand what I am saying, or doesn’t want to use Korean when they are talking to me (even after I’ve said 한국말로 하세요 because their English is so bad they’re having a hard time communicating with me). As a language learner, what kind of lesson am I supposed to take from that? As a beginner, when most people encounter that, they think “well, why am I trying?” and just give up.

        Reply
        • Megan says:

          December 6, 2011 at 5:42 pm

          In response to “T”

          I’m an expat in Korea, who has been here for almost two years. While, of course, not “every” Korean wants to use me for English lessons, I will say that of the Koreans that wish to engage me (“hang out” or “be friends”) OVER 90% OF THEM are just using me for free English lessons. I have traveled all over the world and have met lots and lots of people. I know when people are genuine or not. That said, I’m sure that there are plenty of wonderful Koreans, but they don’t necessarily speak English. It’s a sort of selection bias of the people that *I* will end up meeting.

          In response to “Richard”

          For your language frustrations and how to learn the language faster, I would recommend this blog post: http://www.fluentin3months.com/battle/

          It addresses that very concern — locals using you for English practice and hindering YOUR language learning. It’s a good read.

          Reply
          • Richard Purves says:

            December 7, 2011 at 3:03 am

            Dear Megan,

            thanks for the link… although I already speak Korean well…

            I was more referring to the reasons why a lot of others don’t find it worth making the effort!

            
11. Alex says:

    December 1, 2011 at 6:16 am

    In response to Caleb:

    1) “Some of you mentioned that you didn’t even give an effort to learn about Korean language and blame Koreans because the Korean culture has been exclusive to the foreigners? That’s a good excuse… Then I consider that you DON’T even deserve to teach students as a TEACHER.”

    What exactly are you basing the ridiculous statement on? There is absolutely no relationship between a teachers attempts to learn a language and their effectiveness as a teacher. You have completely discredited yourself with this unsubstantiated statement. Understanding one’s languages is quite different to learning one’s language. Sorry dude. What you means is cultural differences need to be taken into account in the classroom, which is quite true. But please, do not lecture on understanding cultural differences. I have traveled to over 42 countries around the world and lived within cultures and groups that you would have never heard of, and been understanding and accepting to all of them. I have many Korean friends who respect me and I respect in return. I have a more or less surrogate mother who is Korean. But because I won’t stand by and allow the interviewee to spout racist and xenophobic nonsense, coupled with the fact I speak only basic Korean uneligible to be part of Korean culture. It is this attitude that puts people off learning the Korean language and Korean culture. Yes, lets shut the foreigners out because they can’t speak Korean. You don’t know how long that foreigner has lived in Korea, perhaps he has only been here two months, and probably less than a year, and you judge him because he can’t speak Korean fluently? Many of my students have been learning English for over 10 years and they can hardly introduce themselves. I mean really, is that all you have to go on, the foreigners are devils because they can’t speak Korean. Go away and research a decent argument please. I have met several Korean people, one who lived in the U.S for 3 years, she couldn’t even tell me her name in English because she didn’t leave Korea town. At least foreigners that come here make some sort of effort to understand Korean culture. I once had a student that lived in the U.S.A for two years, and thought that Americans only at kimchi for breakfast. Oh how culturally understand of her. Did I judge her? Nope. Oh no I didn’t criticize a Korean person did I? Next I might mention your history again (shock).

    2) “how many qualified NETs who’s passionate about teaching English heading to Korea would you figure out? And why Korea? Well, I bet you already know that”

    Maybe you should re-read peoples post and consider WHY qualified teachers do not want to live and work in Korea, and those that do are turned down for being too expensive. It is not foreign teachers fault that your fellow country men employ young, fresh out of university teachers. But it’s easy to blame those bad foreigners eh?

    3) “Another one, I was so upset you thoughtlessly mentioned about the transitional phenomenon of the Korean history. It was obvious tragedy but our country was under a military dictatorship in those days.”

    Oh no, I didn’t mention something negative about Korean history did I? Oh dear, how dare I. Well done, you have 5000 years of history, I heard you also have 4 seasons, wonderful. I merely mentioned this to point out that perhaps Koreans may not always be as opening and warm hearted as the interviewee so valiantly claims. So what, you were under a military dictatorship, your president still slaughtered 1000′s of innocent people. The incidents were only 50 years ago, right? And that was the same party that has been re-elected and is in power now isn’t it? Oh how very warm hearted of you. Not only this but you say foreigners don’t make effort to learn about Korean culture, I probably know as much about Korean history as your average Korean person, surely that is making effort to learn about the historic roots of Korean culture, but you say I am unqualified to discuss your history because of your unfounded belief that the country I am not even from has a short history (to understand this please see what I have written below).

    4) “judging by someone who’s from the country established such a short period is totally irritated. No offensive dude.”

    No offense dude, but I am from the U.K, what was that about a short history. I presume you are guessing that I am from the U.S.A, presumable you make this assumption because I speak English. You do know that English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Canadian, South African, Australian and people from New Zealand all speak English don’t you? Please, don’t presume every English speaker is from the U.SA. Even if I was from the U.S.A, have you ever heard of Native Americans? Or does their history not count? Perhaps they are not dude like enough for you. I’ve included a reference here for you just in case you’re not sure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States

    No doubt you are going to copy my comments to another forum and poorly translate them into Korean so you can all sit and discuss how terrible foreigners are. Well please, be my guest. I will ask my girlfriend to check the popular Korean message boards tonight and see.

    Reply
    • T says:

      December 1, 2011 at 1:13 pm

      Alex – I really don’t understand how someone who has traveled to 42 countries and has lived with a diverse selection of people would ridicule a country’s history in such a way? Surely from your extensive travel experience you would come to realise that it is a common condition of humans world over to be proud of their heritage and history? Every country has something to be proud of, and something to be ashamed of, and no one wants to hear their country being ridiculed. They have every right to be proud of their past and where they came from. Living in such isolated spots that have little historical recognition in comparison to the Western world, I thought that this would be apparent to you.

      Reply
      • Alex says:

        December 1, 2011 at 3:18 pm

        T – I am sorry if it came across as ridicule, I was merely pointing out that perhaps Korea is not as warm hearted, and particularly does not always act as a ‘whole’ as the interviewee pointed out, and this is shown by recent, tragic events in Korean history. I never said they should not be proud of the past, you have put words in my mouth there, I could sit here and write an essay on the things Korea can be proud of. I have simply pointed out that Korea’s recent history does not point towards a “united country spirit” when there has been a massacre the size of the Gwanju massacre and events such as Silmido. Like I said I’m sorry if this came across as ridicule in my original post, but does this seem like the actions that come from a “united country spirit” to you?

        I merely presented facts that do not support the interviewees stance. If anything the history of the U.S.A was ridiculed first with comments such as ” judging by someone who’s from the country established such a short period is totally irritated” on the presumption I am from the U.S because I speak English. That is ridiculing. O.k perhaps I did ridicule in retaliation to that, but you know, if that was the worst I did after the remarks made by the interviewee and Caleb then I will sleep easy tonight.

        Reply
12. girlandtheworld says:

    December 1, 2011 at 7:42 am

    Thanks everyone for your comments. It has been a real eye-opener to read the heartfelt responses to this post. Clearly this is an issue which provokes a strong reaction.

    @Richard Purves I’m sorry if you felt that I am presenting an unbalanced interview. I feel that as NETs we learn a lot about Koreans and Korean culture. We spend every day teaching hundreds of children, mixing with other teachers and in our own way become slowly integrated into Korean society. However, I also feel that a foreigner in Korea is almost always an outsider. Even those who are able to speak Korean rarely get to learn how Koreans feel about us. I talk to my Korean friends regularly about these issues, but I sometimes get the feeling they tell me what I want to hear, and not what they really think. I know that the interviewee’s thoughts on the matter are not representative of every Korean, but I wanted to provide some insight into what some Koreans are thinking, and explore the issue.

    The discussion on this post has become quite heated, and whilst there are certain elements of both arguments that I agree with, what I really see coming through here is an inability to discuss and tackle the rising issues of dissonance between Koreans and foreigners as a united group. I feel that both Koreans and foreigners need to adapt their behavior in order for there to be a balance here, and that we can’t really get anywhere by throwing around the blame for problems within the education system and criticizing each others cultures.

    I have passed on all your sentiments to the interviewee, and she is writing a reply that I think goes into slightly further detail to explain her thoughts and feelings on the subject. She informed me that she will be posting it later this evening.

    Reply
    • Richard Purves says:

      December 1, 2011 at 11:34 am

      Dear girlandtheworld,

      I wouldn’t apologize for presenting something unbalanced, as this is a blog, not the BBC news or AP. I guess the reason I brought the unbalanced thing up is that by getting what is a very outspoken, stereotypical response you were bound to bring on the kind of heated responses that you can see here.

      I agree with your comments about most foreigners here always being outsiders. Having moved from teaching into academia in Korea, what has been disappointing (although I shouldn’t really have been surprised) is that these attitudes are not really restricted to Native English Speakers. It is incredibly difficult when you have spent 5 years of your life dedicated to studying Korean culture (in my case archaeology) and language in order to be able to make that your life’s specialization, only to then be lumped into the category of “white person don’t know much ’bout our country”. This is not only applicable to attitudes towards NSETs but also towards foreign researchers who take a lot of effort to produce some very good work about Korea, but because it doesn’t quite chime with Korean’s own image of themselves, is dismissed because “that person is not Korean so they can’t understand us”. As disheartening as that can be I find Korea fascinating and will continue to want to do my work here.
      You say that there “is an inability to discuss and tackle the rising issues of dissonance between Koreans and foreigners as a united group.” But the fact is that foreigners are usually readily willing to discuss these issues. The problem comes when Koreans get offended by someone being forthright in their views, and so retreat to a position of “well how could you possibly understand our culture when you are only here for 2 years/don’t speak Korean?”. Your interviewee mentioned the concept of 정 (情) and I think that is incredibly relevant for her to bring up. Because essentially this concept, whilst being a socially cohesive and inclusive one for the members of it’s society, has the effect of engendering an ‘Us’ (우리 민족들) and ‘Them’ (외국인들) world view that is much much stronger than what we a Westerners would recognize as nationalism. In many ways it personalizes criticism of even state institutions/laws/social norms. This is something that few foreigners understand and need to learn about, but it is also something that Koreans need to get their heads around, in order to enable a real debate. Social and cultural understanding does not work one way, and so when Koreans are saying “you should try and understand our culture” they should also realize that they need to meet us half way on that demand. While there are a few Koreans out there willing to do that, there are a whole lot more who would rather remain inside the comfort zone of assuming that any criticism they receive is just a result of that foreigner not understanding the Korean way.

      A final observation. I think that most of the people in this discussion are foreigners who probably take their teaching very seriously, or have made real efforts to get to grips with Korean culture/life/language. That is the reason the responses are so heated. Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there giving foreigners a bad name, and as always, you always get painted with the same brush as the worst common denominator. This happens everywhere. What IS frustrating is that the Korean respondents, and a lot of Koreans in general, NEVER take this into consideration.

      Reply
      • Kelly says:

        December 3, 2011 at 7:20 am

        I think you are extremely accurate and I appreciate your posts. Agreed, and thank you Sir…

        Reply
13. Aussie on the Road says:

    December 1, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Some astute observations being made here, although she shows a lack of understanding of the hiring process. Korean employers actively told me *not* to use Korean in the classroom and discouraged my using it even outside of the classroom with students.

    Frankly, from working with Korean native teachers, I found their generally low standard of English ability horrendous for somebody ostensibly charged with teaching children. The problem isn’t the NETs (although some are obviously not suited to the job) but the process. The focus in Korea isn’t on the quality of education at all but the illusion of trying – especially in the hogwan system.

    The number of times I was forced to re-test a child until he passed rather than send him home with a failing grade in my first year alone was laughable. I was constantly challenged on the pronunciation of words by local teachers and argued with at length about foibles of English grammar and speech.

    A tandem approach is obviously something that should be done, and I don’t mean a fifty-something Korean gentleman sleeping at the back of a crowded classroom and piping up occasionally to quiet students.

    In a perfect world Korea would be hiring bilingual people to teach regardless of their ethnic background. Unfortunately the demand for teachers – largely due to the ridiculous number of unregulated hogwans – makes such demands impossible.

    I loved my time in Korea and loved the Korean people and culture, but the education system there was a nightmare.

    Reply
14. Alex says:

    December 1, 2011 at 8:06 am

    Here are a few facts for caleb and the interviewee.

    - I am a 27 year old English teacher.
    - I am CELTA qualified (qualified to teach English by Cambridge University). On my CELTA course I was rated the best teacher out of 24 teachers on the course, and offered a job by the centre that administered the course.
    - I have nearly finished my M.A TESOL (masters degree in teaching English).
    - I have lived in Korea for 2 1/2 years, I have scored ‘perfect’ in every teaching assessment I have had here.
    - I have a wonderful girlfriend, who happens to be Korean, many Korean friends and respect from my co-teachers. Not one would ever say I was disrespectful to Korean culture.
    - When SMOE made the decision to remove native English teachers from high schools my principle made a personal appeal to SMOE to keep me at the school, such is the respect I have due to the quality of my teaching.
    - With the qualifications I have I could work as an English teacher anywhere in the world.

    - I am leaving Korea as soon as my next contract is finished because I am tired of hearing unfounded racist stereotypical remarks such as those displayed here by ‘caleb’ and the interviewee. I would rather live in a country that appreciated the work that I do for their children to increase their chances in life.
    This is why Korea lacks the quality of teachers you strive for, because the few that do get hired here are driven away, in my opinion. I feel sorry for Korea in this respect because I think Korean students are incredibly gifted and I love working with them. I also feel sorry because I think Korea could be such a wonderful country to live in, but a number of Korean people with attitudes such as yours ruins it, and can leave a bitter taste in one’s mouth. A friend of mine was with his Korean girlfriend the other day in a shopping center. An old Korean woman abused her (not him) for hugging him in public. She told her that she was bringing shame on her country. I’m tired of being looked down on and treated as an inferior person because I am not Korean, hence the passionate response in my previous two comments. Korea needs teachers like me, and the other passionate teachers that have posted on this board a lot more than we need Korea.

    Reply
    • caleb says:

      December 1, 2011 at 10:41 am

      Dude, I blow all of my comments just before..Geez..

      I understand what you are trying to say. I also feel sorry that you’ve been feeling uncomfortable so far in Korea.

      Would you mind if I ask you for an email?
      Just wanna unloose tangled thread, you know wut I’m saying?

      regards.

      Reply
      • Alex says:

        December 1, 2011 at 3:29 pm

        Hi Caleb,

        I am more than happy for my email to be passed on to you, and I am sorry if my strong feelings caused any offense to you. It’s just I try very hard to do my best for Korean students and to learn about Korean culture, and to help other foreigners understand Korean culture and it is hard to hear people think things that were said here.

        I will ask the administrator of the site to pass my email to you, we should go for a coffee or a beer sometime. I’m really much more relaxed than my comments here would have me seem!!

        Reply
15. Aussie on the Road says:

    December 1, 2011 at 8:16 am

    Further to my comments above, the complete adherence to the out-dated and disproved theory of repetition rather than intuitive learning only hinders Korea’s development as an English speaking country.

    I come from a family of teachers. My father is a principal and my mother & sister both specialize in teaching reading to children who struggle with it as well as working in early childhood development. They couldn’t believe the textbooks I had to work with or the methods I was forced to employ.

    The standard Korean (in my experience) practice was to discourage or outright attack me for the us of games, role-plays, and other activities aimed at making learning both fun and more intuitive.

    As long as the educational culture remains as it is, it won’t matter how qualified the teachers coming to Korea are.

    Reply
16. The "interviewee" says:

    December 1, 2011 at 8:29 am

    Hi everyone who write a reply on this blog

    I know my opinion in this interview wasn’t enough to make people understand me all. Because I deleted some of more explanations Okay, So I’m trying my best to explain why I wrote like that.
    To address your first response, I don’t mind and care about having a fun or taking a rest after finish a work. Everyone does want to enjoy their life of course so do I. At the night, I can see everyone gets drunk (Korean too). I know Korea has a lot of serious problem with drinking culture. But If we started like “hey don’t you think your country has problem too? We could go this topic to Nationality problem.

    Sometimes Foreigners make problem and figure out there’re Native English teacher in the school. And this kind of crime case is getting increase in Korea. Can you imagine your teacher gets drunk, fight with people and flirt with any girls in the street? Don’t take this I said every Native English teachers have to be always right and not to be drunk. You can “Make money and have fun at the night” but should take the responsibility that you‘re a teacher in Korea. I expect my teacher is the better person than just randomly wasted foreigners. That’s why I said “Do so called teacher thing”. That meant some of people less care about they are teachers.

    I don’t know thousand of Foreigner in Korea. I admit that About “Most Foreigners” concept we could have different meaning between you and me. Because English is not my mother tongue. Therefore, I will try to say not ‘Most’. So, I could be possible to make people misunderstanding my entire opinion.

    I don’t expect Foreigner understand all of Korean culture. By respecting Korea I meant the basic human morality as also public morality. No smoking in the cab, No playing and drinking in the subway. No swear word in Public place. And also trying to show people they open their mind to know the country they are visiting or living. Even though only few a Foreigner did disrespect behavior, Residents can think most of them are the same. If I’m the Foreigner in other country, I do more care about my behavior because people already got a preconception of Korean for the next.

    I know there is only one country in this world uses Korean which is my country. So you might think it doesn’t really necessary. And you are fed up with how Korean treats Foreigner. As a matter of fact, I know about how Korean treats foreigner and racism in Korea. I shame about some part of Korean society and I don’t ignore that. And I fight with that. If you want to know entire of story about Korean society and problem in the history I’d like to tell you all. But now the point is you can’t just say you don’t want to learn another language because Local people are not welcoming you. Anyway you decided to stay Korea as not temporary. I don’t know why you made that decision. From what I have seen most of Koreans feels shy to speak English. Only some of Korean speaks English without resistance and I know what kind of people you meant.
    I wanted to ask you something. Let say you were not born English Country.You decide to stay English country for year and people aren’t welcome you at all. So, do you give up learning English because of so many reasons? If it’s not enough explanation, let say I go for voluntary service of an aborigine. And I can’t speak at all and they hate foreigner. So do you just turn your back? I believe when person opens own mind to take another people one day people know about it in this world. If you can’t do this
    A wise saying
    “If you can’t stand the heat, you better get out of the kitchen”

    The subject of this interview is Korean’s thought about Native English teacher.
    The answer was just my opinion. If Subject is what do you think “why do so many foreigners leave Korea so quickly?” or as like this I could say so many (good and bad) things what really happened in Korea. I answer this for standing by native English teachers and Travelers.
    I’m Korean but I’m angry about how some of Korean people use or cheat foreigners as unfair.
    When you said, Korean gives me a less money and more work shift than other country.
    I heard how Korean school treats you guys by Native English teacher who has terrible experience at past job. Maybe it helps you feeling better Korean English teacher works more hours and gets less money than you usually. Entire of Korean economic system pushes people work as like a dog for almost 30 years. So people get used to work over times and not complain to supervisor.
    When I start to speak about Korean’s own problem, it won’t finish for all day. So I’ll pass this topic. If you want to know more, let’s talk face by face. Because I’m a terrible writer

    Having less money than other country is one problem in Korea that makes Korean hired Native English Teacher as like who was a student or uneducated teacher since a few years ago.
    It was much easy to get a job and save money over $3,000 .per month 5~6 years ago but now it’s so complicated. Because of so many Native English teachers in Korea are looking to get a job. It’s not valuable anymore if you only can speak Fluent English. Now Korean is getting to know about how it doesn’t help to have Native speaker in their class and that students need a proper teacher. So when Korean education system turns to right way. You’ll get good treatment and salary than now. But before that Korean Government must get unqualified teacher out of country.

    I studied 16 years in Korea education system. So I think I know about Korean education system way better than Non Korean. When I was young I hated English because of teacher. It was old type of English curriculum made by Japan. So I didn’t have a chance to practice really English until 20. Now the thing has been changed, So far Korean parents want their children have good English for better life to them. And also President Lee of Korea insists teaching more English including even the Korean history class. And for that reason Korea has been became too pressing to learn English.

    About “Also, why do 6-7 years old children need native speaker? And why do 8-17 years old students need to learn perfect pronunciation?”
    I’m thinking It’s too early to learn 6 years old speaking English. There’s so many thing they can learn in their age. Parents send them to private school for learning English with Native speaker. But I don’t believe it’s for children’s sake. And also 8- 17 years old students do really need to be perfect pronunciation as like mother tongue? Take American an example, It’s a multinational country and they have so many emigrants and can you say to them “Hey you need to speak like American?”
    I think it’s not. I had a hard time to understand French, English and Scottish Accent at first time. But I don’t think you complain about their accent too. Moreover, I know the problem of pronunciation that Korea has and it can be easy to change the problem when Korea gets good curriculum of English class.

    I agree about a Native English teacher and a Korean teacher work together in tandem at same lesson. To me, I hope that Korean government makes a rule hiring English teacher who has ability to teach and spend more money to educating teacher in Korea. So this education system problem is that we need to solve out together.

    About the article, It was meaning that finally Korean people start to know Native speaker can’t always help with everything to learn English. Korean parents are getting to like Korean- Native English teacher.
    Maybe I need to explain some more about it next time.

    Okay what else left?
    About “what would you say are the main differences between Western and Korean culture?”
    I didn’t recognize that I didn’t write about Western culture until now. It was lack of care to write this question. I was thinking to write some more later before it was posted.
    You could figure out the answer was getting shorter than in the middle. Maybe it can’t be an excuse. So, I clear my opinion now. The culture of Korea is “정 (Jeoung *Affection)” Chinese character is “情” It’s really hard to explain concept of ‘정’ to Foreigner. That why put Korea has community spirit and share culture – united country spirit. Korea calls Korea “our country” not “my country.” Koreans are strong and warmhearted. (if someone wants more explanation of 정, I can tell you since began) The other hand the first impression of culture of westerns is so huge boundary. I would say individualism. I think I don’t need to write more about what’s individualism. I’m not saying Korean culture is the best in the world. We had sad history but you just can’t say ‘Hey your country has a highest rate of suicide and you said Korean is warmed-heart? Explain that!” Every country has a problem I can face on that my country’s problem. If you wanted to say about bad history of own country and other country now, It’s like who’s country better than others? I feel sorry about hidden racism in Korea and some of part I agree with that. However I never mean to have a racist attitude in my life and in this interview. You could think I’m racist because of poor explanation. Some people took this too personally as a Native English teacher I asked my Korean friends about their English class and Native English teacher. They also are not racist. It’s easy to blame or upset some people who might have different opinion even it’s wrong or bad

    And this is about the last my answer
    About whether I know the difference between American and Westerners. I know what the difference is but can’t define where they come from with their appearance. I also ask Do Western, European and Latino recognize the difference with South Korean, North Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Tibetan? or are we just ‘Asian’ to them?

    I don’t know more Native English teacher more than any of you guys
    But think other way, Do you know more Koreans than me?
    Your student think just you’re foreign English teacher..
    They don’t know about your personal opinion to Korea
    You don’t know about Korean’s opinion either.
    It’s not only a matter of how I answer this.
    We need to know what each other think or feel
    It was the point of this interview that Native English teacher gets know
    Not to hurt people’s feeling.

    I stayed up all night for writing this. It took almost 8 hours.
    If I’m racist, do I care about what Waygooks say?
    My English is not perfect. But I’m proud of myself about my English
    I don’t need Native English teacher for getting improve my English yet.
    I’d like to meet some more Waygooks in Korea who has open mind and tell the fact.
    So If you still upset or want to say more contact me.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Richard Purves says:

      December 1, 2011 at 11:54 am

      설명을 더 했어 고맙다! 앞으로 다른 사람을 위해서 영어로 할거야!

      Your reply clears up some of the misunderstandings you created earlier.

      However, I think I just want to point out two things again.

      “Can you imagine your teacher gets drunk, fight with people and flirt with any girls in the street? Don’t take this I said every Native English teachers have to be always right and not to be drunk.” This is maybe 1% or less of the NSET’s in Korea. And I have seen Korean teachers (and other workers) doing the same. Demanding that people act responsibly is fine. But by picking out foreigners you make it seem like ALL or MOST foreigners do this, and no Koreans do. The fact is this is people being people. Whatever country you are from, there are going to be a small amount who get drunk and do stupid things. But its a very small amount. Because there are not many foreigners in Korea, it makes it more visible when they do stupid things. But when you associate ‘all foreigners’ in Korea, with the 1% or less who make trouble, that is pretty unfair. (A similar situation would be someone saying “because of Osama bin Laden, all Muslims are terrorists”). When you see the one or two stupid drunk white guys in Hongdae falling around, think, “have I seen Koreans doing the same thing?” then judge.

      “No swear word in Public place” I can speak Korean, so I’m not even going to start on this one in depth, but the next time you are out and about, especially at night, just listen and see how many Korean swear words you can hear. Again, balance, don’t apply one rule for us, and another for everyone else.

      Reply
    • Kelly says:

      December 3, 2011 at 8:48 am

      I can see you’ve put a great deal of effort into this. I appreciate that, and I admire you for doing it. Truly, thank you.

      I do not like labels, but your opinions come off as “racist” in some cases. I would be more inclined to call you “naive, inexperienced, and young” instead of racist, but sure, you make sweeping generalizations that are somewhat cliche and don’t do you any favors if you honestly seek mutual understanding. Your answers are so stereotypical that I nearly chuckled, but you hit several nerves.

      You made some useful, valid points, but it’s also responsible to consider that you may be wrong, are wrong, or don’t know enough about a subject to comment. For instance, a linguist would be likely to disagree with you regarding age and language exposure. I know this because my company employs them regularly.

      I’m about a decade older than you are at the very least (or so I am guessing), and I arrived in 1999. I am now a permanent resident.

      As much as I felt displeased with your initial comments, I absolutely respect you for striving to be understood, and I appreciate the “take home message” of bonding and mutual understanding. I think that you will look back at your words in say, 10-15 years, and find that you surprise yourself. It takes guts to put yourself in the public domain and speak your mind. I commend you for that.

      Reply
    • Paul says:

      December 6, 2011 at 3:43 pm

      Unless I’m terribly mistaken, the public school system’s English education model is by no means a Japanese idea forced on Korea so you may wish to reconsider trying to drag a 3rd party into this. Public English education in Japan only commenced in the 1980s so there is a 30 year gap between the end of any influence in the education system and the commencement of their programme, and a 40-50 year unaccounted for when you consider the commencement dates of Fulbright/(G)EPIK in South Korea. Whilst elements of the present co-teaching guidelines are likely inspired by the former JET programme of Japan, those ideas were changed and adapted and ultimately the (G)EPIK programme descended from the unique Fulbright Programme. As such, the final product is very much a creation of Koreans for Korea.

      Reply
    • I'm no Picasso says:

      December 7, 2011 at 7:36 am

      Interviewee –

      Can I explain something to you? I realize you acknowledged in your original post that there are “a few” foreigner English teachers who respect the culture, care about their jobs and learn the language. But I really do wonder about why you say a few? Of the few foreigners you know, how many are the way you described “most” foreigners? And how many are how you described “a few”? And what makes you word it like that to begin with?

      But the main point is that you have to understand that when you say big wide statements about me not being necessary in my job, or being useless as a teacher…… that hurts more than anything. That really, really hurts. Because I work hard every day and have pushed myself for over five years now to learn how to properly educate my students in only English, even if they don’t speak one single word of English — which is not a job just anybody can do. You didn’t say that only qualified teachers should be teaching students the age I teach. You didn’t say the standards for their work should be raised. You just said….. there is no point. Because they don’t need perfect pronunciation.

      Do you think all I teach my students is pronunciation?

      You’re wrong, if you do.

      I teach my students English. I teach my students how to not be afraid to make mistakes. I teach my students how to be spontaneous in English. I teach my students how to have the desire to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak their native language for the first time. I teach my students that foreigners are not so different from them. I teach my students about my home country’s culture (and in the neighborhood where I work, it may be the only look at an outside culture most of them ever get). I teach my students how to be proud of small accomplishments and that they can do and say more in English than they ever imagined. That I can understand them. That langauge is something that works.

      But you think I’m pointless as a teacher, and that what I’ve spent years of my life learning how to do is not effective.

      You can’t say things like that and expect people not to get hurt.

      As for the curator of this blog…. I already know what Koreans really think about me. I know what my Korean coworkers and bosses and boyfriend and friends and all of their families and children and friends think about me. I don’t need your help there. Not that this was particularly helpful, in my opinion.

      Reply
    • Hanz says:

      December 12, 2011 at 3:06 am

      “I’m thinking It’s too early to learn 6 years old speaking English. There’s so many thing they can learn in their age.”

      This is true, but an overwhelming amount of science indicates that learning a second language at a young age not only stimulates parts of the brain that will remain unusually active and beneficial for the remainder of the child’s lifetime, but that it is far easier for students to acquire a second language at a young age during their critical learning period. It is then that the brain is still capable of learning a language in the same manner that it acquired fluency in its first. Why wait to teach them English (or any other language, for that matter) until it will be far harder for them to acquire the skills at all?

      Reply
17. londone7 says:

    December 1, 2011 at 11:48 am

    the interview brings up a lot of valid points but they are not true for everyone

    “not making korean friends” is a two way process. the korean english teachers in my school and the other teachers that secretly speak good english do not make an effort to talk to me, even though they know I am studying korean, can speak korean at a very low level, and am improving in korean translations in my classes. they know I spend every weekend travelling to different towns and festivals so there are plenty of things they can talk to me about korean society and culture.

    there are people who went to teachers college, are certified teachers in their home country, and previous teaching experience. perhaps their needs to be a better screening process.

    not everyone likes to go out drinking, many are involved in churches, and volunteer charity organizations. the behaviour described is people in their early 20s, which might be the bulk of foreign teacher intake, but there are people aged 30+ that have a more sensible outlook to life and being a guest foreign worker in a host country

    Reply
18. Hayley says:

    December 1, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    This post has definitely sparked an interesting debate. After having read the interviewee’s responses to posts, it is clear that she has attempted to add greater clarity to her original response to this issue. I do not think that her opinion is really anything surprising – in fact, I would say (avoiding a stereotypical, blanket statement) that there are many Koreans or even non Koreans who do indeed feel this way with regard to NETs. I think that these beliefs and ideas are perhaps rooted in actuality (in that maybe a few people have acted in unfortunate ways and this has spread to a generalization), but on the whole simply stem from a lack of understanding. Although saddening, it is certainly an interesting topic. I will not comment on all aspects of this debate, but I will reply to two points that the interviewee has mentioned.

    First of all, when learning a new language, being able to speak the language is absolutely key. It is also extremely beneficial that this is learned at a young age. Although it is actually a myth that it is more difficult to learn a language at a later age, the earlier the better. Thus, the importance of why Korea has a such a market for NET’s in the first place – so that students can learn how to pronounce and learn how things are said. The ability to ‘write a university article’ is virtually useless in the context of what one might call the ‘real world’. I am certainly not discrediting the importance of learning written English as this is important too, but if one just wishes to be able to communicate verbally on some level, they must be able to speak the language and to be understood by others. I find it interesting that the interviewee makes the statement that ‘learning pronunciation is insane’, but then proceeds to explain the trouble with her own NET and the inability to understand him. This is a direct contradiction and shows the importance of being able to speak a language in the first place, therein showing the importance of Native English speakers in a Korean school setting.

    Despite many areas of disagreement, one issue I will agree with is the idea of NETs coming here with a simple bachelor’s degree. I do think that it would be beneficial for NETs to have a background in teaching, whether that be an education degree, or other. This being said, NETs can not be at fault for Koreas lower teaching qualifications. Perhaps this a result of a strong emphasis being predominantly on students learning to speak English. Most of us have been able to do this since we were two.

    Thank you to ‘Girl and the World’ for shedding light on this issue. Although responses from this interviewee do not surprise me, I am hopeful that other responses on this issue will perhaps be not so founded on stereotypes and perhaps grounded in reality.

    Hayley
    http://www.readovertea.wordpress.com

    Reply
19. Cody says:

    December 1, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    I figured a little perspective from someone without a degree in teaching or any prior teaching experience would be helpful. I lived and taught in a public school from 2008-2009 in Mokpo, South Korea. I graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Philosophy and Psychology. At the time I had no experience teaching. I am currently pursuing a Masters of Counseling Degree at a well established, private university back home in Portland, Oregon, USA.

    While teaching in Korea, I was lucky and had a “co-teacher” who was fluent in English. And when I say fluent, I mean correct grammar usage and perfect pronunciation. Over the year that I worked as a NET, he came into my classroom twice. The first day to introduce me and tell them that the best way to learn English was to be quiet and not talk during class. The last time was to tell me that classes were cancelled that day. So when people say “co-teacher” I always laugh, because he never co-taught anything.

    How is a person who does not speak Korean, even an educated one like myself, supposed to be an effective teacher of English, English conversation, or English pronunciation when the student cannot understand your English? I spent hours before and after work designing lesson plans, working on my own Korean skills, and asking others how to better teach these middle school students. And in between classes I had hear the school English teacher teaching the students to say “Jew” instead of “Zoo”. And when I would try and talk with my “co-teacher” about the problem, he would argue with me about whether the teacher was wrong, even though he knew the correct way to say it.

    No matter how hard I tried. No matter how much extra work I put in. No matter how educated I was. I could not be effective because most of my class could not understand me, and I was teaching them all by myself. And as a middle school student, why would you listen or pay attention when my class had no grade or influence on your transcript in any way. In that situation, I decided to leave Korean because I both believed that the whole situation was a farce, but also because of the many xenophobic and racist cultural views that many people have listed above.

    I write this not to continue to bash on the Land of the Morning Calm, I actually loved the part of Korean culture that did not judge me for being a wayguk. I simply wanted to give a little perspective from someone who was not a “qualified” teacher, but still did their damnedest to teach their students to the best of their ability. Although saying that people like me are not “qualified” is incorrect, as the Korean government sets those rules and they say that having a University Degree and being a native English speaker makes me qualified to be an NET. Also as someone who actually worked on designing a lesson of their own, rather then reading to their class from a textbook like most of the Korean teachers at my school did. I still remember them laughing at me when my “co-teacher” explained that I was making a lesson plan for the next week…

    Reply
20. Marion says:

    December 1, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    Fantastic interview.

    I taught English in Korea for two years. One year at a hagwan, or so-called “after school academy” which was more of a business than a school, and one year at a private school. I felt like my first year was spent pushing kids through a very fast and un-motivating English program where my boss and the parents only wanted to see that the kids had done the next page in their books and didn’t seem to care about the quality of the English they’d “learned”. My second year felt like I was part of an elitist, snobby school that looked down on students who weren’t already able to vomit up a 2 minute memorized English speech at the age of 5. Overall, my experience of teaching in Korea left me with a bad impression of how education is delivered to children in their culture. It works for them, but I couldn’t condone teaching in the ways I was expected to, so I left.

    Many Koreans are fluent in English and are completely capable of teaching it. It boggles my mind how a person with no more credentials than a university degree can waltz into a classroom and teach children when anywhere else in the world, you need at least a teaching degree to even get in the door. In fact, most of the people I met in Korea expressed incredible frustration with their own skills during their teaching stints. It seems to me that a lot of foreign teachers go out drinking so much BECAUSE they are so stressed out from dealing with their jobs. No, most NETs don’t understand Korean culture. Koreans are friendly and very open to sharing anything and everything they have. The English speaking cultures very much stick to themselves and we make community connections in different ways. We’re different. But, as a foreigner in a new country, I believe it does fall on the foreigner to at least *try* to get to know the new culture. Korean isn’t a difficult language to read. Speaking it is another matter, but you can learn the alphabet in the space of an hour. Many foreigners don’t even try and it’s very sad that they don’t.

    The problems I had mostly centred on communication and the effort on both sides to get to know each others’ cultures. My last school head actually told me that the reason the NETs weren’t invited to the Korean staff get-togethers was because they thought that we’d like to “keep to our own cultures”. After much explanation, we began to be invited to KT parties too, but most of us didn’t stay longer than an hour. The fact that the assumption was there just goes to show that a little effort will go a long way. Being part of another culture, especially one where you don’t speak the language, takes a LOT of effort on the foreigner’s part.

    Most people going to Korea are doing it for the money (some do go for the teaching experience, but we’re rare over there). We have student loans. We want to travel. We’re human and are looking for some adventure. What’s wrong with that? There does need to be more effort from both sides to get to know each other a little more in the school setting. At least if both sides felt there was an effort being presented, the differences might be diminished, but hopefully not too many Koreans look down on foreign teachers for wanting to make some money and live an exciting life.

    Reply
21. Kevin Hockmuth says:

    December 2, 2011 at 12:55 am

    Bottom line, living in Korea is the same as anywhere else. There are great things about it, and things that are not so great. There are folks that are really cool, and those that are not. Thus, Koreans and foreigners in Korea can continue to go round and round in a debate about “who’s” to blame for the often unhealthy relationship between foreign nationals and Koreans; so long as the focus remains on the particular sources of discontent they choose to hone in on.
    Living as a non-English speaker in the U.S. is very hard and opens one to countless instances of ridicule and aspersion. Thus, many ethic/national groups choose to form semi-autonomous communities (witness Koreatown in L.A. or the many communities in the U.S. where Spanish predominates) as they feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in the wider American mosaic; which I, for one, have absolutely no problem with. Likewise, English speaking foreigners in Korea often tend to act with similar herd mentalities. Clearly, in both cases, there are numerous exceptions. However, the point is, once you strip away the various labels we attach to ourselves (American, Korean, Asian, Westerner, Confucian, Liberal, Conservative) our basic human desires and motivations are quite similar. Thus, it is unsurprising that foreign residents and “majority” residents in countries all over the world over tend to display similar attitudes and behaviors towards each other. Hopefully, as we move forward as a species these mutual suspicions and generalizations will continue to erode. I, personally, love Korea for all the things that make me happy, angry, and sad about living here.

    Reply
22. Kelly says:

    December 2, 2011 at 11:08 am

    The writer lost credibility with me through her choice of interviewee. Honestly, I appreciate the words of those with educated insight, whether they be negative or positive. This is disappointing. I feel it is barely worth responding to, save to say that the author can do much better. Btw, I am a proud member of a Korean family.

    Reply
    • girlandtheworld says:

      December 2, 2011 at 11:17 am

      Hi kelly,

      Thanks for your comment. I’m sorry that you were disappointed with my choice of interviewee. I am currently conducting another interview with a Korean English teacher that I think might shed more light on the matter. However, I will defend my choice to publish this interview – it is not possible for me to interview all people in Korea to get their thoughts and opinions. This interview is just the opinion of one person, and one person that happens to speak very good English, thus enabling me to actually interview her. I reserve the right to publish the views of anyone I deem interesting on my blog, and I’m sorry that you felt the interviewee was ‘not educated’ enough to provide real insight. However it should be pointed out that as a university graduate who has studied in Austalia, is near to fluent in English, and has multiple foreign friends, that her opinion IS educated, regardless of whether I agree with it or not.

      If you are interested in having your say on this matter I would be happy to consider allowing you to write a guest post, or taking part in an interview yourself. Please feel free to get in touch with me if you should wish to do this: natalielyallgrant@gmail.com

      Reply
      • Kelly says:

        December 3, 2011 at 5:53 am

        Dear Author,

        First, let me make my admiration for you clear. I admire those who take personal time to communicate with their world. I know it isn’t an easy thing to do. I chose to criticize you instead of your subject because I think well of you based on what I have read, and though the story certainly hit a nerve, I felt you made a poor decision.

        I was more emotional than necessary because I was exhausted from working hard to make a positive contribution to this country…though if we judged me by your interviewee’s standards, I’d say I’m somewhat worthless.

        I learned (the hard way), that signing my name to my own published stories is a stamp in time that attaches my credibility to that story and it’s contents. There are ways to avoid undesirable associations.

        Your exploration of the topic is admirable, wonderful, and appreciated. I genuinely admire you and your subject, if only because you pick up your computer and strive to inspire dialogue. This is the job that media is supposed to do. You succeeded.

        I needn’t argue with your subjects points because she is simply stating an opinion, albeit a disappointing and naive opinion that isn’t shocking as she’s quite young. Her effort makes her charming, though I still find her painfully ignorant. I’m sure she is a nice person.

        I reacted negatively to your choice to title and frame this “exploration” as you did, and to do it using this “barely out of school” person whom, by her own admission in answer one, knows few of those she harshly criticizes. I also found it amusing that she sought a native English speaking environment. I assume her family felt this would be good for her.

        “Girlandtheworld’s Girls Of The World – Teaching in Korea from a Korean perspective.”

        Had you pitched it as a series of sketches, a contrast of different opinions, etc, I would have felt it was powerful. I would have hoped to hear from a mother of a child, perhaps, a teen, etc…that would make a powerful story. Still you stated a powerful “goal”, so I chose to give YOU feedback.

        “This is the first in a series of interviews I will be doing with girls from around the world.”
        —–but not further on this subject, or from this country? I found it sad that you felt thus one lady was insightful enough to represent “what Koreans really think” alone.

        “By touching on subjects which are so often left unspoken, I am hoping to be able to dig deeper into cultures and find out more about women’s views on a variety of global subjects.”

        —-that’s wonderful. I sincerely hope you do more on this one. you’ve been so successful in gaining a response. That takes talent. I hope you run with it.

        Reply
      • Kelly says:

        December 3, 2011 at 5:59 am

        I did take note of your choice to interview another individual and I look forward to reading it.

        Reply
23. Chan says:

    December 2, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Wow~ first I shouldn’t even be posting to this, as I have a paper to write. LOL~ ^^v

    But the more I read, the more I felt that maybe I can add in my two cents.

    Someone posted that Korea is the most xenophobic country in the world. I believe it’s because of their history. Foreigners please understand that Korea’s history is one of enslavement and domination. Due to this there is a strong sense of nationalism. Call it 정. But as “guests” in a country, it is sort of an unspoken rule that the guest respects the host country’s culture. One does not go into another person’s home and trash it however they want. This does of course go both ways. I believe Koreans too need to be even MORE sensitive about over-imposing their culture.

    I’m a Kyopo (Korean/American) so I sympathize more with the foreigners. But I hold a strong love for Korea. I think that when it comes down to it, maybe if more foreigners would take it into consideration that they are guests and that more attention would naturally be directed towards them they have a great opportunity to make a better impression of their general image from this. And maybe if Koreans could place themselves in the foreigners’ shoes they will understand. I know MANY foreign Korean students ‘studying’ abroad. Honestly, I have met very very few Korean students who go to America, actually learns the language, and goes back having learned something. Most, nearly all of them first look for a Korean friend. I personally know of one Korean who has been living in America for 5 years and I kid you not, all they know is “Hello, how are you?” I also know of another Korean who’s been living in America for even longer, 8 years, but because they lived in LA (where you literally do not need to learn English) knows just as much English. The reason why I share this with you all is in the hopes that it will show that it’s not easy being a foreigner in another country. Even though I gave two horrible examples of people who sadly waste such a precious opportunity, I do know of others who make it a point NOT to associate with any Koreans. They purposefully seek language institutions with a very small or no Korean population in order to complete immerse themselves into the culture and language learning.

    I hope I make some, sense. I am not at my most coherent thought processing ability. Ok well it was a little more than two cents, but I think the more we hear of each others’ stories and experiences, the better the picture we can paint. Said simply, more detail adds to more clarity of the subject.

    Nite all~

    Reply
    • Rebecca says:

      December 6, 2011 at 1:24 pm

      I’m not a guest in this country, I live here. I work here. I pay tax here. I pay into a pension scheme that I will not be able to access as my country doesn’t have that agreement. I support local businesses and I respect local culture.

      When do I stop being a guest? Is every non-English/American born person who lives and wirks and contributes in London or New York a guest? I find this really insulting, you’re reinforcing the reason people leave. We will always be viewed as guests – as different from Koreans, as outsiders, as people who don’t belong or deserve to be here. This is a form of racism in itself and unless Korea just gets over itself and it’s ridiculous ideas of who is worthy to be here then they’ll never be seen as first world. Simple as that. Go up to a south Asian restaurant owner in Birmingham and tell him he’s a guest in England, I dare you.

      Reply
      • Chan says:

        December 6, 2011 at 4:51 pm

        Hello to you too Rebecca,

        I’m not sure if my response will make much sense with my head bite off and all -_-;;;

        I do sincerely apologize if i’ve said something that offended you, but I guess I was wrong to think that I was trying to present a neutral tone. I guess it’s that dang ‘korean-ness’ acting up in me. [Oh you detect sarcasm, you're probably right]

        I will agree that you have a point. Yes, I did ignorantly lump those who actually ‘live’ here with the short-term teachers. I do sincerely apologize, I was shortsighted. However, this still does not negate my point. I was not exclusive with the ‘guest’ notion as much as I was trying to encourage a mutual understanding of each others’ culture. I mean did you complete bypass that part?

        Do not get me wrong I am in NO WAY condoning the racism in many Koreans, but what I am asking for is understanding. I briefly mentioned the history of Korea. If you come from a country that has never known war on your soil, and ever known what it was to live under the domination of another country, then it is difficult (not impossible) to understand why Koreans feel the way they feel. I gather you’re from England. Great, I think you are one of the most welcoming countries in the world of other cultures, but also the most imperialist country in the world. I feel as if I may be wrong but the English have never know a generation where they were under the rule of another foreign power, ever. Even Americans have a short history of being under the rule of none other than England. But in neither country is there a surviving generation who has known that oppression. Korea still has many and regrettably are influential upon the younger generation as well. (Sorry for the history lesson, but I felt it was necessary).

        Look, I didn’t post to start an argument or flare up more hostilities. But if that’s all that you find from it, then I will gladly ask the admin to remove my post. But know this, the ignorance that you’re accusing me of and the reinforcement of racism that you seem to allude too, you’re doing exactly the same thing as well. Instead of opening with a dialogue, you begin with a hack-n-slash. It is clear that you don’t wish for the perpetuation of this sort of attitude/mindset, so here’s a little advice, maybe you could ask for some clarification before just writing us “ignorant” off like the rest of the “racist Korean’s” you accuse of doing.

        I apologize to anyone else who’s read my post and felt offended. I meant no offense and have the highest respect for different cultures and of those who also respect different cultures. Personally I too become irritated at many Koreans who are racist. Take this situation, I’m sure many of you are familiar with the Black/American who beat an old Korean for misinterpreting “니가…” for the “N-word”. Has both been more aware of each others’ culture, incidents like these I believe would not exist.

        So Rebecca, who ever you are, thank you for paying your taxes, support the economy and all that, but while you do that, know that striking the people who actually want to see change (like moi) does very little for your cause, but rather in fact only perpetuates your accusations.

        @girlandtheworld: Sorry for making your blog into a mud slinging contest. I ask in advance that you remove my post and delete my account (if any) should more of this hate continue. I came in honestly trying to help, but I guess good intentions are no longer enough these days. ya gotta be smarter than the average bear~ ^^v

        Reply
24. girlandtheworld says:

    December 3, 2011 at 1:57 am

    Hi Chan,

    Thanks for your comments. It was nice to get a balanced side of the debate from someone who can relate to both Korean and Western cultures. I completely agree with you that the more we share our experiences, the more we can bridge the gap and come to an understanding. That is why I’ve found this debate so interesting. As I watch it unfold I can see people trying their hardest to make their opinions and feelings understood, and I hope that in some way we can all learn something from it. I know that two of the people that commented here who had rather a heated argument are now meeting up for coffee to discuss it further, and I am excited to hear about how they get on.

    These issues do have to be voiced and tackled if we want some kind of change. And I think everyone, Korean and Western, who commented agreed that there needs to be some kind of change in the behavior of both Koreans and the foreigners who come here in order for there to be more balance.

    I will be adding a further interview with another interviewee to further look into the issues that have been raised over the course of this debate. I will be concentrating specifically on relations between native English speaking teachers and Korean English teachers to look at improvements that can be made in the education system, as I feel we have exhausted the discussion of xenophobia, but raised some valid points about difficulties with teaching in this country that need to be further explored. It should be posted up after the weekend, so keep an eye out for that.

    Thanks again to everyone who commented,
    Natalie.

    Reply
25. girlandtheworld says:

    December 3, 2011 at 10:30 am

    @Kelly – I’ve sent you an email to reply to you personally.

    Reply
26. Kelly says:

    December 4, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    It was well received. I actually have an idea for you…cheers

    Reply
27. aa says:

    December 5, 2011 at 4:14 am

    while I dont think koreans are a racist people there needs to be examination of who recruiters like to hire
    if you scroll thru this gallery there is hardly anyone over 30 or that isnt european looking
    http://www.parkenglish.com/redirect/guestbook/testimonials-guestbook-L.php

    i registered with them and several other recruiters and got no response based on my ethnicity, yet here I am working in korea. if recruiters and hagwons want to hire based on a certain “image” they shouldnt complain when their behaviour doesnt live up to their expectations after

    Reply
28. JB says:

    December 6, 2011 at 5:04 am

    Firstly id like t say that that was a very interesting article and a good read. A lot of what was said I seem to be a few “home truths” about us teachers.

    I don’t really want to use this as a platform to vent my likes and dislikes about Korea generally but I do want to touch back to some points made earlier about the racism/xenophobia. I think there is a clear and definite difference between pre and post Olympic generation Koreans, in terms of their tolerances to new faces wishing to integrate. I do think Korea is a racist xenophobic society but, isn’t that one of the reasons why we are here, to help open up the Korean mind?? Given the history I don’t think you would find many other societies changing as quickly. So in that sense I do think Korean schools benefit from us being here, probably more so than the benefit from out “teaching”.

    Picking away at the negatives of Korean life and Korea mannerisms could be contrived as saying I wish they were more “western” or I wish they were more like us. There are many things I don’t like (the obsession with a persons appearance and the staring and spitting for three) but at the end of the day those things are acceptable in this, their, country, and being a visitor what right have I got to tell them what social norms they should adhere to?

    I think she is right, most people come here purely for the money, and lets be honest who has ever dreamt about living and traveling Korea! The money has to be as good as it is to get us here otherwise we wouldn’t come. If the money were the same as it is in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia or Malaysia then we would all be there. I freely admit I came here because the money is good but I also came here wanting to experience a new world and further my teaching experiences. Sadly my love for teaching has been beaten up and brutalized by the restraints placed on my by and coteacher stuck in her ways unable to change and a god awful school. Basically that equates to motivation lost.

    I do look at people who have been here for 5+ years picking up an easy paycheck and living the same life day to day and it does make me cringe slightly, especially when you ask them how their Korean is and they laugh and tell you they don’t speak a word. It’s that kind of small mindedness that I’ve always tried to avoid but, Korean is hard! I am fascinated by language (I’m not very good at them!), personally I have only met one foreigner in my time here that has actually learnt and speaks Korean well and as language is the extension of personality maybe this explains why there is an integration problem and why integration is more likely to happen when Koreans speak English.

    A really good article, all the best

    Reply
29. M says:

    December 6, 2011 at 10:39 am

    Great interview! Great responses. Well made points from both sides. What will your next interview be? I would like to hear an interview from a Gyopo.

    Reply
30. Paul says:

    December 6, 2011 at 11:26 am

    To the interviewee:

    Please consider laying off on the “uri nara” vs “my country” stuff. I’ll give you some background first: I am Australian, I am not American and of course, common expressions and turns of phrase vary by country, city and even demographic or sub-culture within a city so my words do not represent all.

    The thing is, it is a rare day that I ever hear anyone say the terms “my country” or “your country” in English. You are right, “our country” in English is generally quite rare too (it has nationalistic overtones in Australia) but the usual expression is simply to dismissively refer to one’s birth nation by name. If anything, any language referencing ownership, either individual or group is cautiously avoided. Sometimes an expat will call it “back home” instead when speaking generally (not emotionally). However, whether the country’s name or “back home” is used tends to rely on how much of a tangible attatchment the person has to the place rather than any specific opinion or culture- whether they have a specific home in a specific city with specific posessions or pets awaiting them “back” there.

    To tell the truth, whenever I hear “uri nara”, it makes me cringe a little for the same reasons you’ve shown a clear distaste for “my country” but I accept that it is merely a linguistic quirk and choose to ignore it.

    What is not so rare is hearing the “uri nara” vs “my country” explanation being rolled out in South Korea. Quite literally as I was reading that statement (the second time you raised it) a lady on the television was reciting the exact same “my vs. our” cultural tip nonsense on a Korean language learning show. No, seriously. The coincidence still has me stunned as I write this.

    I of course understand how these misconceptions spread. I know the public school sector at least often pushes its Korean staff to jot down an inter-cultural linguistic tip to share with other staff and gives a very short deadline and I bet those working for publishers experience the same crunch as textbook deadlines loom near. All it takes is one careless, well-intended “tip” to be born out of misconception and it then spreads as gospel: as fact. Well, as “fakt” (to tip the hat to Harvey Krumpet).

    Now, this is NOT to say I haven’t ever heard those expressions in English before. Aside from the regular occurances of hearing them from Koreans (“Welcome to my country! Enjoy. Then go back to your country!”) I have of course heard both in Australia. But, almost always the people who utter such phrases are also the types of people… Let’s say the types of people who probably don’t own a passport and don’t ever want to. They are the same outspoken types who regularly attract ridicule.

    I do not blame you for reciting something you’ve been taught and have no reason to doubt your intelligence, but please try to avoid constructing an argument around this in future; I at least feel it is a common misconception.

    Reply
31. girlandtheworld says:

    December 6, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    I just wanted to write and say thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to comment here. It has been amazing to watch the debate grow. I am currently working on getting an interview with an actual English teacher who has slightly opposing views to the previous interviewee.

    I’m also interested in doing interviews with various other people on the subject. We’ve covered a lot of points here and I was wondering if there is any specific questions that any of you would like to ask. I’m thinking about perhaps interviewing a Korean English teacher, a kyopo, and a native English teacher. If I can I would also like to interview a mother of a Korean schoolchild, as suggested to me by Kelly, although I fear this will be the hardest one to do as I would have to do it through translation. If any of you have any suggestions for people who might be interested in being interviewed, please do let me know.

    Thanks again,
    Natalie (girlandtheworld).

    Reply
32. neim says:

    December 6, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    White people have no idea what it is like to live as minorities.

    Reply
    • sara says:

      December 7, 2011 at 2:27 am

      the white people are minorities here in Korea.

      Reply
      • Eugene says:

        December 8, 2011 at 3:33 pm

        Neim is aware of that. The instant they have majority privilege stripped away, suddenly Korea is racist. That’s what he/she meant.

        Reply
        • girlandtheworld says:

          December 8, 2011 at 3:47 pm

          That I can understand, but as you pointed out, one cannot generalise. The broad use of the term ‘white’ here to refer to the Native English speakers in Korea is offensive on many levels. For a start, thank god, not all native English speakers living in Korea are white. Secondly, it IS racist to assume people’s individual experiences based on skin colour alone. ‘White’ is a rather broad term that could refer to many people from many countries. Let us keep the debate within the confines of our original argument which is the native English speakers in Korea, rather than stirring up racial tensions by stereotyping people based on the colour of their skin.

          Reply
          • neim says:

            December 8, 2011 at 6:17 pm

            Don’t try to hide the elephant in the room behind technicalities and P.C.

            Race is inextricably linked to the issue at hand.
    • Richard Purves says:

      December 9, 2011 at 12:59 am

      Nobody has any idea what it is like to live as a minority until they have lived outside of the community in which they are a majority. So what is your point exactly?

      Race is inextricably linked to the issue at hand, but not in the way that you are painting it, which seems to be “white people can dish racism out, but they can’t take it when it happens to them”.

      I’ve sat in a bar in Itaewon (supposedly the most liberal place in Seoul) with a black British NET friend and listened while the Korean who struck up a conversation with us (or rather me, because she didn’t really want to talk to a black guy) refused to believe that my friend was not, in fact, an American G.I…. because he was black. And presumably black people can only be American and soldiers. Is that not racist? Are you going to try and link that to white frustration at being in an unfamiliar situation?

      Also, in response to Eugene, I would say that Korea does have a pretty big problem with institutionalized racism, and if you talk to any of the Arab, Thai, Mongolian, Kazakh, Uzbek, Philippine, Indian or Pakistani residents here, they’ll be able to tell you a lot more about it than any white person can. Just because it maybe feels like poetic justice that whites get to taste the other end of the stick here and don’t like it, doesn’t make it any less true.

      Most Koreans are not intentionally racist, they just have no education about the issues surrounding race whatsoever, and that lack of education is something that is understandable, but given where Korea is trying to go as a country, will have to change.

      Reply
      • Eugene says:

        December 9, 2011 at 8:56 am

        “Also, in response to Eugene, I would say that Korea does have a pretty big problem with institutionalized racism”

        Unquestionably! I don’t think I ever suggested that it did not.

        Reply
        • Richard Purves says:

          December 10, 2011 at 1:12 pm

          “The instant they have majority privilege stripped away, suddenly Korea is racist.”

          If that’s not what you meant by this line, then I’m sorry I misinterpreted you. What DID you mean?

          Reply
          • Eugene says:

            December 11, 2011 at 1:57 am

            I can’t believe I have to qualify this.

            What I meant was that white people who grew up in their home countries are the majority. As such, they enjoy certain privileges.

            Then when some of them move somewhere that they aren’t in the majority some of this privilege is stripped away.

            They are not used to this and quickly react and complain that Korea is racist, when in reality it is not much more (or less) racist than their own home country is.

            Per the example with the black British guy… I am sure the white dude was really surprised. I’m also sure the black guy has a thicker skin to those kind of comments.
          • Richard Purves says:

            December 11, 2011 at 6:22 am

            Ok, perhaps this is a cultural thing…

            Per the example with the British guy (me) and the British Black Guy (my friend)…

            I was not surprised, because I have been in Korea long enough to expect that kind of stereotype to come out. He was a little bit surprised, and slightly indignant (but more because of the fact that people assumed that he could only be American if he was a black English speaker).

            Now, I’m not sure how things are in America, I’ve never lived there. But in the UK we generally get quite a lot of education (at school, from parents, from media), about race relations. That doesn’t stop a large minority of people from being racist dicks, but then that racism is explicit, and everyone can see it for what it is and take some kind of action against it.

            In fact, I would say that as a white person in the UK, you enjoy certain disadvantages as a result of race, which are an attempt in both implicit and explicit ways, to make up for past injustices. (And that creates a whole load of social problems for all involved, but that’s not a discussion for here).

            The point both Neim and yourself are trying to articulate might well be “white people have never experienced racial discrimination before, and so when they do experience it, it is for the first time, and so they have a more extreme reaction to it. This extreme reaction blinds them to the fact that it is the kind of discrimination that others probably face in white majority countries”

            and I would agree with you

            however, the way you both present your point [above, you clarified it in your last post] comes across like this “white people are just not used to having minority status, so they react to that loss of power by accusing their host country of being racist, when really it isn’t all that racist”, and that’s a different argument.

            You also talk about privilege, and I think that’s blurry territory to get into when talking about racism in Korea. I know this discussion is about English teachers, but you can’t talk about racism only towards the one group. English teachers, despite experiencing certain forms of discrimination, are highly privileged people in Korea. To a certain extent that makes their arguments about experiencing racism discrimination from Koreans trivial. However, there are a lot of other groups of people far less privileged who experience much worse racism, and to sweep the idea that Korea might have a racism problem under the mat because the only people who are vocal about it are whites is a dangerous path to take.
    • Richard Purves says:

      December 11, 2011 at 5:34 pm

      Also, I’m gonna go ahead and make the assumption that both of you are Americans of Korean ethnicity…

      your perspective is therefore completely different to that of a Korean.

      Most Koreans also have no idea what it is like to live as a minority, as the majority of Koreans have never lived somewhere where they are not the majority either.

      Which is kind of the point. For your average Korean, they suffer the same kind of block that Caucasians do when accused of racism in their own country. The difference is in Europe and North America we have gone through a long painful process of trying to start to address that.

      Reply
      • Eugene says:

        December 12, 2011 at 12:01 am

        “white people are just not used to having minority status, so they react to that loss of power by accusing their host country of being racist, when really it isn’t all that racist”

        That’s quite a leap from what I was really saying, and you articulated it better in the second way.

        I would agree with you that Korea has race relations problems, and I would also agree with you that the U.S. has done more to educate people about the follies of racism (specifically against blacks). My point is that a lot of the time the calls of bloody racism by white people in Korea amount to random strangers telling them things that they don’t want to hear. The breadth of these range from “Go back to America, OMG wow you can use chopsticks, Your Korean is so good, You’re handsome, You look like X celebrity, I hate Bush, Teach me English, You’re in Korea so speak Korean, wow you’re so hairy…” etc… with maybe the occasional “Don’t date our women.”

        In other words, extremely mild comments in most cases, with the occasional offensive racist comment. Now I am not in any way defending the Korean people who say these things, nor am I saying that this is the extent of Korean racism (I recall reports of foreigners getting stabbed by college students who were high on the vibe of an anti-fta protest… sick and disgusting indeed.)

        But generally for white people, racism isn’t something they have to deal with all the time, even in Korea, therefore when it happens they overreact.

        You’re somewhat right in assuming I am a Korean-American, but as I have a white mother, you wouldn’t know it from looking at me, so I do in fact know what I am talking about, living as a visibly white person in Korea.

        Reply
        • Richard Purves says:

          December 12, 2011 at 5:19 am

          Ok,

          so I guess we are on the same page here. I agree with you that a lot of what white foreigners jump on as being racist is not really that strong, and I would go further by saying that since white foreigners here (especially English teachers) generally get a pretty good deal out of things, they should perhaps weigh the positives up before complaining too loudly.

          However I do feel that when we are talking about racism, we can’t really restrict it to just talking about teachers, from whatever background. To do so takes the spotlight off of a very important issue (I refer you to https://sites.google.com/site/racisminsouthkorea/ http://no-racism.net/article/2461/ and this one perhaps most relevant to what I’m talking about http://the-diplomat.com/2011/08/08/south-korea%E2%80%99s-racism-debate/ [I accept you maybe don't need convincing, but I'd like others to be able to see]).

          English teachers being vocal about Korean racist attitudes (perceived or real against them) is a mixed blessing. It brings light to bear on an otherwise marginalized issue, but at the same time, because of the argument you yourself have made, it also trivializes an issue which really needs to be looked at.

          Reply
          • Richard Purves says:

            December 12, 2011 at 5:31 am

            and also I guess this… http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/south-korea/report-2010
33. Eugene says:

    December 6, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    Boo hoo all you who replied and feel all butt hurt from what she said. I have to actually agree with a lot of it. While my own Korean is not perfect, I have no sympathy for anyone who has lived in Korea for a long time but has not picked up a lick of Korean. Often that in itself is where the problems come from.

    Everyone complains about Koreans trying to promote their country and culture to you… guess what, if you speak Korean, they don’t do that.

    By the way, the English hagwon is on the way out. The next generation is not going to want to send their kids to hagwon hell that they had to go through. Even if I am wrong on that, the native teacher is also on his or her way out, because those kids you’re all teaching now? Some of them will grow up to be English teachers. Their generation also won’t think foreigners are special like their parents and grandparents do. The hagwon bubble is about to burst.

    Reply
    • Paul says:

      December 7, 2011 at 12:23 am

      I’m hoping I’ve misinterpreted this else that’s a mighty condescending attitude you have there Eugene.

      I’ll agree that like you I have no sympathy for those who’ve been here for years and cannot even do as little as give a cabbie directions, or even those who’ve been here 6 months and still cannot read. But it’s a heck of a leap of logic to go from there to your stance. I can see by your blog that you reside in Seoul. Have you actually visited the provinces? Ever? On an average day in Seoul, I get a chance to speak more Korean than I do in an entire contiguous provincial month (outside of classes). A chance that I try to make the most of. For all intents and purposes, I am learning Korean as a foreign language and visiting Korea every couple of weeks for a day or two. It is definitely humbling at least knowing what my students go through in that regard. Like you however, not once on my weekends in Seoul have I been given the propaganda spool yet often I get that in response to asking for such trivialities as directions IN KOREAN in the provinces.

      Can you please explain how your limited experiences can refute the equally limited experiences of others?

      Reply
      • Eugene says:

        December 7, 2011 at 9:11 am

        Yes I have been to the provinces. My father’s hometown is in Chungbuk and my wife’s family are all from Jeonnam. We go outside of Seoul very often.

        I haven’t been actively given the propaganda in years, and the last time it happened, it was an organization, not a person who was trying to cram it down my throat.

        I can’t deny what some other people have genuinely experienced, but I find that all propaganda and irrational hiding of Korea’s bad points happens only in the English language. Once you demonstrate that you’ve been here for a long time, you speak a reasonable level of Korean, and have other interests besides “finding the real Korea” or having a “cultural experience” then you can get real interaction.

        Reply
34. girlandtheworld says:

    December 6, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    In response to Neim’s comment “White people have no idea what it is like to live as minorities.” I would like to remind all people leaving comments to keep things clean. Neim, your comment offers absolutely nothing to the debate, is racist, ignorant and offensive.

    Reply
35. Eugene says:

    December 7, 2011 at 12:40 am

    Re my country vs. our country, urinara only makes sense when speaking in the Korean language, and most likely the people conversing are both Korean. I don’t think it really shows how Koreans are group minded.

    Furthermore uri can be used to mean “my”. In Korean, it is common put uri in front of anything one owns. Urijib, uri abeoji, uri hwaesa, even when the person you are talking to doesn’t live with you, isn’t your brother or sister, and isn’t your coworker.

    Even so, this particular point is not enough to discount everything else that the interviewee has to say. If that’s what people want to take an issue with, then you’re missing the point of the rest of what she is saying.

    Reply
    • Paul says:

      December 7, 2011 at 4:01 am

      This is not what I take issue with. Polite debate hinges on taking individual points and working on them individually. To do so is not to discredit the complete argument but boil it down to the points of genuine contention. Many of the posters above have done just this.

      As an educator, I believe in educating, not passive aggressive attacks.

      Reply
36. Roboseyo says:

    December 7, 2011 at 1:59 am

    Why not create a survey instead of asking just one person? I clicked a link because I was interested to know “what Koreans think,” and wondered how you’d gone about gathering that information… and then instead found “what one Korean thinks” – which is a different thing entirely. Representing this person’s individual opinions as typical might be part of the reason you got such an extreme response.

    Or perhaps you could make this a series, and ask the same questions to other Koreans you know, in order to compare views.

    Reply
    • David S. Wills says:

      December 7, 2011 at 8:36 am

      I believe that is the purpose of this post. It’s the first in a series of interviews.

      Reply
      • girlandtheworld says:

        December 7, 2011 at 8:47 am

        Yes, as David points out it is the first in a series of interviews. In hindsight it would have been better to collect all the interviews first so that there wouldn’t be such gaps inbetween them, but the time to do that has passed. I am hoping to have the next interview up by Monday at the latest. Sorry for the delay.

        Reply
37. Dawn says:

    December 7, 2011 at 2:26 am

    This is a good interview and I like that if gives us an idea as to what some students my think of Native English Teachers. I too agree that some Foreigners are not qualified to teach and are only here to make money. But as what other have also commented on, this article generalizes on a small group of foreign English teachers. I’ve been in Korea for over a year now and it has been quite an experience for me. I am educated in 3 degrees one being in Education. I have experiencing teaching and tutoring prior to coming to Korea. I decided to come to Korea to further my teaching experience and to experience a new culture. I have to say as a foreigner I have been faced with many challenges as I try to learn about Korean culture. For one I am Black Canadian and I have experienced a lot of racism from Koreans.

    How does this relate to your views on English teachers? I tried to learn Korean by doing one on one exchange, I’ve been faced with many people not wanting to do it because I am black. I’ve tried making Korean friends, many do not want to associate with me. Many assume I am uneducated even when I tell them I have a teaching degree and certificate. Many assume I am American and associate me with false American stereotypes. When I tell them I am Canadian they think I am lying. Even at the school I teach at many thought I was uneducated and were surprised I have a background in teaching. They were even more surprised on how many lessons I produce and how much effort I put into my students. More so then the Korean teachers they have admitted. The principal has asked me to stay at the school instead of returning home after my contract has ended.

    When I go out to experience Korean culture I am faced with rude comments about my skin colour and I’ve had people make racial comments in English to me. After being here for 1 year only have 3 close Korean friends. Koreans interested in language exchange do not want me to tutor them in English because of my skin colour, not because of my qualification. I am qualified to be a teachers and I am a very good teacher, why, because I love teaching. You say foreigners drink and are loud and party. Koreans too, drink are loud and party. The only reason foreigners get noticed for this is because they are foreigners. I have been harassed 5 times by Koreans, 3 times by those who were drunk.

    Please look back at what you have said and try to imagine a foreigner thinking the exact same thing about Koreans. It is not fare to generalize because there are many English teachers from many different countries who do enjoy their job here not just because of the money but because of the experiences they have or will gain here. Korea offers a great opprotunity for teachers. Korea is also at fault for give jobs to foreigners who are not experience because they hire based on how pretty someone it, not their qualifications. Yes, this still happens. I have many foriegn friends who don’t get the job in Korea because they are not white or not pretty enough even during some scool interviews they just tell them they want someone who is caucasian.

    It’s not fare to say America wants to Americanize the world. Many countries think the same way and Korea is a good example too. Koreans think everything Korean is better then America, China, Japan, etc. Which is normal, every Country thinks they are the best, we are brought up to be proud of our Country. But you can’t ignore or be oblivious to your countries imperfections.

    Also, many are qualified teachers but may not be good at teaching. It is very hard to teach in Korea, they education system as greatly different from American or Canadian curriculum. It took me awhile to adjust and develop a teaching method for Korean students. It took me about 4 months. That is part of the learning experience of being a teacher. Here has been a learning experience for me it has been very difficult at times but I know my students are learning something from me.

    I think Korea needs foreign English teachers because many Korean high school students attend University and cannot write an English paper and at the University level it is not a teachers job to teach them how to write in English, that is something they should know already. Especially if they are taking an English course. You have Koreans studying to be doctors in Medical school and pay people to edit or write their papers in English because they cannot. Being a doctor it is vital to know proper English. I almost had a Korean doctor prescribe me the wrong medication because she did not recognize the English word the other doctor wrote to prescribe to me. She looked at me and asked does it look like this? (Pointed to the computer and comparing the writing) I said to her you are the doctor not me. I asked her if she can get the correct spelling because I don’t want to take medication that I am not suppose to. Health and prescription drugs is something you don’t guess.

    Despite the difficult times I don’t generalize that all Koreans are rude or racist. I say hello and talk to children who are curious. Any Korean adult who is interested in me or ask me questions, I take the time to talk to them. That is part of the cultural exchange and learning. That is when you realize that we are not that different. Many Korean now believe Black people can come from Canada as well.

    Yes our cultures may be different but we still have a similar underlying background as to what shapes our culture. Remember it has only been I think 23 year since Koreans were allowed to leave Korea and travel and foreigners were allowed to visit Korea, so Koreans are still getting us to foreigners and differences. Korea is also a good example of a society changing at a fast pace and becoming more globalized but also still manages to keep its traditions it tack. Something that many foreigners admire about this culture. Modern but traditional.

    Dawn

    Reply

38. Pingback: Why Korea Doesn't Retain Great Teachers | David S. Wills

39. noe says:

    December 7, 2011 at 4:08 am

    After reading most of the comments and the interview, I think there is one thing being left out that should be addressed.

    And that is that part of the problem, does not lay in the racism or mistreatment of foreigners by Koreans, or the lack of job ethics and party-outs by foreigners, but by the hiring practices of the employers.

    At least one problem I can see that should be pointed out is that competent teachers which are hired, such as those with teaching experience and TESOL degrees, are not so welcomed to stay on the long run due to the salary based on their experience or qualifications. Because of their experience or qualifications, they have to be paid more, which is something that doesn’t sit well with politicians, school districts, hagwon owners, etc.

    It is much cheaper to hire a large quantity of English speakers for a lower salary than it is to hire well qualified educators at a higher cost. And those who stay here longer, get pressured to move on as your salary gets higher the longer you stay.

    Basically you get what you pay for.

    Those are my two cents, as for myself, I have an MA in ESL and haven’t had a complaint from either my students or coteachers. My coteachers, do however, point out things that I could do better from time to time and I do follow their suggestions which has strengthened my teaching.
    After reading most of the comments and the interview, I think there is one thing being left out that should be addressed.

    And that is that part of the problem, does not lay in the racism or mistreatment of foreigners by Koreans, or the lack of job ethics and party-outs by foreigners, but by the hiring practices of the employers.

    At least one problem I can see that should be pointed out is that competent teachers which are hired, such as those with teaching experience and TESOL degrees, are not so welcomed to stay on the long run due to the salary based on their experience or qualifications. Because of their experience or qualifications, they have to be paid more, which is something that doesn’t sit well with politicians, school districts, hagwon owners, etc.

    It is much cheaper to hire a large quantity of English speakers for a lower salary, who stay a year before moving on or so, than it is to hire well qualified educators at a higher cost. And those who stay here longer, get pressured to move on as your salary gets higher the longer you stay.

    Basically you get what you pay for.

    Those are my two cents, as for myself, I have an MA in ESL and haven’t had a complaint from either my students or coteachers. My coteachers, do however, point out things that I could do better from time to time and I do follow their suggestions which has strengthened my teaching.

    It does make me sad though that next contract I will have to relocate because of SMOE’s decision to stop High School native teaching. I’m lucky that in my school most teachers are pretty competent in their English, but unfortunately I have heard that it is not the case in most places.

    I’ve started learning Korean a year before I even came here, spent hours on the blogosphere and even like promoting Korea to people back home, though there are times and things that make me worry about whether I should be encouraging people to come and face those ordeals. Theres always ways to integrate Korean into my lessons, not in large quantities but only enough for the students to understand and let the lessons progress smoothly – something I noticed my coteachers are very grateful for since I don’t have to stop and ask them to translate something when students look confused.

    I can’t speak for the other expats who come here solely as a vacation and easy money, just like I can’t speak for or defend the actions of Koreans who mistreat and abuse expat’s but I like Korea and through good or bad experiences I will stay here until they find another way to chase me out.

    Reply
40. Amanda says:

    December 7, 2011 at 5:20 am

    As I read through all these comments, I went through a myriad of emotions ranging from shear anger to complete understanding on BOTH sides of these arguments.

    First, I must state that I have been teaching EFL for several years, 5 of which have been in Korea. I currently teach at a foreign studies university in Seoul, and have been teaching here for 3 years. I am certified for TESOL and have taught in several countries, so I am confident in calling myself knowledgeable about EFL education.

    As to the idea that many NETs are unqualified or uneducated about teaching EFL, I COMPLETELY agree. Until I accepted my current position, I worked for reputable 2 hagwon, and almost everyday I was left aghast at what my fellow NETs considered correct, appropriate, and relevant English language teaching. I believe that many English speakers come here looking for an opportunity to travel, learn a new culture, and make a decent living while doing so. That being said, these people need to try to understand the importance Korean society has placed on proficiency in English, whether it be in social status, career opportunities, or educational opportunities. You are hired to do a job and are expected to perform at the best of your abilities. You should try to remember that your students or their families are often sacrificing time and a lot of money just for the meager opportunity that they may be able to speak English well, something that is never guaranteed. HOWEVER, as many have posted before, there are relatively few prerequisites to teaching English in Korea. Many other places in the world outside of Korea and Japan require at least a TEFL certificate or its equivalent. Once hired, there are no demands for additional training, and relatively few opportunities for such at best. How can you expect recent university graduates to pursue such training if it is neither required nor offered?

    As to the issue of learning Korean, I can only speak on my own experience. When I first came to Korea, I was constantly asking my Korean co-workers and friends, “How do you say…?” I enrolled in language courses at a university and I had study sessions with my co-workers. I did a few language exchanges. As a multi-lingual speaker, you can be confident that when I say I tried, I really did try! But, when I would go out and about and try to speak Korean, I encountered these things:
    1. I would simply say annyonghaseyo and the person I was speaking to would smile and tell me I speak Korean very well, but then would only try speaking English to me. Even when I would continue trying to speak Korean, they’d tell me I was so cute, but would keep speaking English, however good or bad it was.
    2. The person I was speaking to would look at me in a deer-in-headlights way and would never understand me.
    3. When speaking Korea, I would ask the person to slow down or repeat what he/she was saying, then he/she would speak even faster and use completely different words or expressions.
    These experiences left me exhausted and dumbfounded. I have studied many languages in many different countries, and I have never felt so disheartened. I tried, but it seemed to me that many of the people I was speaking to simply were not interested in helping me out. There was no speaking slower; there was no give-and-take; there was no explanation; there was nothing but me, my poor Korean skills, and my frustration of what seemed to have been a waste of time.

    When dealing with the history, I am a little unusual when it comes to a foreigner in Korea, as my family has a strong connection to Korea. Both of my grandfathers fought in the Korean War, and my great-uncle was a POW. My cousin is adopted from Korea and her family (my aunt & uncle) have hosted Korean exchange students. When I came to Korea, I knew a lot about its history. My students are constantly surprised about my knowledge of its history. Knowing what I do, I can understand the sense of nationalism and pride Koreans have for their country. BUT, xenophobia or ethnocentrism is not an automatic result of such nationalism and pride. I am proud that I’m American, if just for the opportunities I’ve had because of my nationality. But I have never thought that “we are the best” and that non-Americans are people who should have a lower status or should be condemned for not being American. (NOTE: I do think many Americans would disagree with me.) In Korea, I constantly face this. I get this from my students who think I must be in Korea because I can’t get a job in the USA. My students are surprised when they learn my educational background. When I talk about Korean politics, my Korean friends always end up shaking their heads and telling me that I’ll never understand because I’m not Korean. I often hear from my students, “That’s not how we do things in Korea.” I get it, I really do, but you are learning English and with the language comes the culture. I am constantly confronted by a double standard. Questions such as, “Why do Americans always talk so loudly on the streets?” “Why do Americans act so rudely toward Koreans?” “Why do Americans expect Korean people to act more American?” The list goes on and on. The fact is, we do it because we can and because these things happen among Koreans as well. The problems of xenophobia and ethnocentrism exist because of a fear of change or a fear of the unknown. No one person or culture is better than another, so its best to simply learn from each other. When I go back to America, my friends tell me that I’m not American any more. My Korean friends tell me I’m not Korean. My South American and European friends tell me the same. So who am I then? I like to think that I’m a cultural mutt. I look at culture and I pick and choose what I think works for me. I don’t get drunk and yell in the streets like many people, Korean and foreigner alike, because that doesn’t work for me. But I do like going to a galbi restaurant and drinking soju and chatting with my friends. Both of these things doesn’t readily happen in America, both are distinctly Korean attributes, but I’ve adapted myself and chosen the good or the bad based on myself. As soon as people stop trying to fit others into categories and start accepting that change is indeed inevitable, however cliche it may be, the sooner we can start tackling major issues. In reality, globalization is not going to end. Cultural and racial diaspora are only going to expand.

    Yes, I have my “I hate Korea” days, but the truth is, when I go back to America, I can’t help but think in disgust, “This would never happen in Korea!”

    Reply
41. Eugene says:

    December 7, 2011 at 9:18 am

    I’m not special and my experiences don’t invalidate anyone elses, but just yesterday I was riding my motorbike and I didn’t know which way I had to turn to get to a particular station. At a red light, a taxi cab was next to me so I motioned for the driver to roll down the window and I asked him in Korean how to get to the station.

    He told me to turn left. There was no amazed smile, there was no “your Korean is so good,” and I just thanked him and was on my merry way.

    If people react to you by only maintaining a stance that they must speak English, then it means they think your Korean sucks. Study harder to perfect it.

    I’m not trying to say I am better than anyone else here, so don’t anyone accuse me of that.

    Reply
    • Amanda says:

      December 7, 2011 at 4:58 pm

      @Eugene…

      In my experience, taxi drivers are the best at working with foreigners’ limited Korean skills. I’ve learned so much in a taxi that my Korean friends are impressed.

      And for the record, after having only studied for a few months within the first 6 months of being in Korea, yes, of course my Korean sucked, but WORK with it… It doesn’t help me that you speak English to me when in fact your English is just as bad as my Korean. I’m trying, so try to be be understanding and be a little patient. As many posted before, it has taken many Koreans years and years to have what can be conservatively called a rudimentary level of English, I had only had a few months of study…

      Reply
      • Eugene says:

        December 8, 2011 at 1:41 am

        My point was trying to illustrate that if you speak decent Korean to the point where people think that your Korean is better than their English, they will stay in Korean, but you rationalized that away because the person in my example is a taxi driver. There are plenty of other examples that I could have pulled out but I just chose the most recent one.

        And I don’t think the last reply I wrote was to you personally, it was rather to the many commenters who complain that Koreans don’t let them use their Korean.

        Reply
        • Richard Purves says:

          December 8, 2011 at 1:29 pm

          What you’re saying may be partly true, but there IS also a “you’re not Korean so I’m not going to speak Korean to you” attitude in a lot of people.

          I say this from person experience. I’ve been here for 5 years, I’m currently studying a master in archaeology at Seoul National University where the curriculum is 75% in Korean language. I sit in lectures such as 자연 환경에 대한 의례, understand what is being talked about, and then participate in the group discussion afterwards in Korean. I hand in papers in Korean. I am one of only two foreigner students in my department, and the only white student. When I am sitting in my study room with my colleagues, we speak Korean with each other. I’m only blowing my own trumpet like this to try and reinforce the fact that MY KOREAN IS DEFINITELY NOT CRAPPY. And yet I DO encounter situations where Korean’s refuse to speak Korean to me, or do the whole, “you’re speaking Korean but I’m going to speak English at you” thing. I have a friend who has achieved TOPIK Level 6, and could tell you similar stories. So CLEARLY there is a little more at play than your very simple reduction of “well, if they don’t speak Korean to you its probably just because your Korean sucks”.

          Reply
          • Eugene says:

            December 8, 2011 at 3:26 pm

            Fair enough, I didn’t say that I thought no Koreans do that, in fact I am sure that some do, but generally, they are people who don’t know you personally and are few and far between.

            A lot of people here commenting are quick to retort the author’s claims by reversing the roles… i.e. You don’t like foreign teachers because of A but there are plenty of Koreans also do A. I don’t really think that’s too much of a valid argument, but as it seems to be persuasive to the people making it:

            How many times has it happened in the U.S. where an Asian-American who was born and raised in the U.S. is complemented on his exceptional English skills by ignorant white people?

            I’ll qualify it with the caveat that I know some people here are not from the U.S. and I’ll also qualify it by saying that simply because Asian-Americans are discriminated against in the U.S. does not make it okay for similar treatment of white people in Korea…

            Generally what I see on this comment board is people complaining about the generalizations that the interviewee made, then counter with generalizations themselves.
          • girlandtheworld says:

            December 8, 2011 at 3:39 pm

            I think this is a very good point Eugene, and I’m inclined to agree with you on this one.

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43. Kelly says:

    December 7, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    An “easy paycheck”? Not in my world. I have a 15 hour day.

    I DID seek sample all the usual suspects in SE Asia and I chose to try out Seoul, and it literally was because I found it to the most “original” and intriguing. Please don’t imply that we all just landed here by default.

    I also have a learning disability. It pains me when I consider how much money I invest in Korean lessons, and my Hangul is basic. I’ve been here since 1999. The fact is, no generalization is fair. I study every day, and suffer the frustration that I simply must learn slowly. Mind, I’m not given the luxury of time to study much, but I acknowledge that I do, in fact, have a learning issue. I certianly don’t laugh at it, I bow my head in shame.

    Reply

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45. jon doe says:

    December 8, 2011 at 1:07 am

    who ever you interviewed is a total idiot. first of all we are here because we have been invited to be here. you say that we like to get drunk alot??? what about all the old korea guys you see stumbling around late at night yelling and fighting eachother???

    Next time you choose to someone to interview you may want to choose someone who is ittleegent with regards to what they are talking about. A lot of native teachers work really hard and many are taken advatage of by hagwons and many do have professional qualifications. Maybe Korea should be more greatful to Americans and Brits that you are not still living under Japanese occupation because if it wasnt for us you would be. That is the cold hard truth. So next time you wanna look at a wegook and think how silly they are, you should read some history and thank your lucky stars that a lot of our parents and grandparents gave thier lives to give you freedom. The real problem is that so many young koreans are completely culturally ignorant about the world. much like grown children.

    Reply
    • londone7 says:

      December 8, 2011 at 4:20 am

      The interviewee talked about “foreigners”, she did not attack any particular individual. It is unfair for us to start attacking her personally instead of challenging her opinions. I’m sure many koreans are reading this thread and saying ‘look at how all these foreigners are attacking our girl’.

      As an opportunity for cross cultural dialogue we should be showing our best, instead of confirming their worst in us.

      Reply
      • Kelly says:

        December 11, 2011 at 10:34 pm

        I agree. I wish this article were posted in Hangul, also.

        Reply
        • girlandtheworld says:

          December 11, 2011 at 11:03 pm

          Hi Kelly, a friend of mine told me that the article has appeared on several Korean forums, however whether it is translated into hangul or not, I’m not sure of. Sadly I think that this far into the debate, it would take far too long to translate all the comments (which in the end have been much more interesting than the actual interview itself), and then of course there is the worry that it wouldn’t be translated completely accurately. However if you know of anyone who would be interested in translating the article and its comments, I’d be more than happy to post up a Korean version.

          Reply
          • Kelly says:

            December 12, 2011 at 1:07 am

            I wouldn’t venture to translate comments, ever. They are very personal and it’s risky to do so. I would only translate the story itself.
46. Cal Ender says:

    December 8, 2011 at 5:14 am

    “America wants the Americanization of the world. Their ideology is so strong and so hard to change. It is hard to understand them”

    A very honest and very true answer. She hit the nail on the head with that one as that is exactly what the Americans are trying to do. I had no problem with the interview and the respondant did exactly what was required of her/him–he/she gave honest answers not what the interviewer wanted to hear. I agree with him/her on many issues though some of the answers were too general but there was nothing to get one’s knickers into a knot over. Everyone is entitled to their opinions whether a native speaker likes it or not.

    I stay away from other westerners for similar reasons given in the interview. Most are here for an ‘adventure’, or ‘holiday’ or a ‘party’. Very few come here to teach and many who have western credentials end up doing midnight runs simply because they cannot adapt to the Korean system. Not the Korean’s fault for the onus is upon the westerner to adapt NOT the Korean people. Too many native speakers fail to understand that point.

    I have seen and met so many BAD westerners that I want nothing to do with them anymore. The majority are just not worth knowing. Whether they have a B.Ed or Teacher’s diploma is immaterial for pieces of paper does NOT make them a teacher though they arrogantly think so. But such achievements are used only to stoke their egos and make themselves think they are more important and superior to others.

    Reply
47. shadowcat16 says:

    December 9, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    I’ll have to agree with Cal Ender on this one. I’m Korean-American and speak fluent Korean, so I’m pretty sure I had a much easier time fitting into Korean society when I was in Korea, but during my year-long stay in Korea I must say I saw a lot of Westerners who talked and behaved pretty badly, arrogantly, and rudely. I’m sure there are some who don’t behave that way, but in a society that’s still relatively homogeneous, a white person who yells, cusses and behaves outrageously on the streets WILL get noticed and be remembered for their behavior. A classic example of how a few bad apples can spoil the whole bunch. But then again, I’ve seen quite a few act that way out in public, so I can’t help but think that there are more than just a few bad apples in Korea–if even I, an American, can feel this way, imagine how it must appear to Koreans who have a tendency to lump all Western foreigners into a single category.

    It’s an important reason why there are many Koreans now (including those in the gov’t) who are trying to promote Korea and Korean culture–it’s not because they think that Korea is better than any other country (actually, if you talk with Koreans you’ll learn that many of them have a rather harsh view of their own society, and they’re often the first ones to admit that despite Korea’s economic success and whatnot, it’s still not an advanced country), but rather, it’s b/c they think that foreigners (outside of Asia) still know very little about Korea and Korean culture, and all sorts of misunderstandings and preconceptions can arise from that. (I can’t tell you how many racist and ignorant remarks I’ve received while growing up in America (even though I’m technically American!) b/c most Americans still don’t know anything about Korea–”Your parents are from Korea? Are they Commies?” –No, that would be North Korea, and if they were so-called Communists I don’t think they would’ve come to the States… “Don’t your people eat dog meat?” –Um, some Koreans do, but not all, and it’s definitely not as common as you may think….”Korea? Where’s that?” –Uh, in Asia, between China and Japan. Check your geography….”Do Koreans speak Chinese, or do they have their own language?”, “The only thing I know about Korea is that it’s a poor country”, etc.–the list goes on. And believe it or not, all of these comments were made to me by otherwise very well-educated people. Kinda shocking, if you ask me.) I seriously hope that that’s not the kind of impression and attitude Americans and other Westerners have when they go to Korea, b/c that kind of ignorance and cultural insensitivity is inevitably going to get noticed by Koreans.

    One previous poster commented that young Koreans are culturally ignorant. Well, that may be true about some young Koreans out there, but I’d argue that young Americans as a whole are even more culturally ignorant about the rest of the world. But then again, I probably shouldn’t be making such generalizations either.

    I’ve traveled to other Asian countries, including Japan, China, and Taiwan, and I must say that many–if not most–of the Westerners I met in those countries could speak the local language to some degree (many of them seemed fluent!) and seemed to have a good amount of respect and love for the country’s culture. I didn’t see that while I was in Korea, and I can’t help but think that if more Westerners in Korea behaved like the ones I saw in Japan and other Asian countries, we wouldn’t even be debating about this issue right now. I have American friends who are currently working in Korea right now, and I can honestly say that those who’ve made an effort to learn the language and have shown at least some respect for Korean culture are the ones who’ve found Koreans to be hospitable and warm-hearted–sometimes so much so that it’s made a couple of them a bit uncomfortable with the level of “jeong” they’re shown by Koreans.

    And I agree with those who said that part of the blame lies on the employers too. Getting a job teaching English in Korea is pretty easy–too easy, in fact. So while there are definitely some perfectly qualified teachers coming to Korea, there’s also an influx of not-so-qualified English teachers who’ve been hired simply because they’re American or Canadian citizens and speak English. But while I was in Korea, I was appalled to meet some of them and find out that they couldn’t even write a single paragraph in English without making a bunch of grammatical mistakes!! I mean, their English skills were so poor that they probably would never be hired by any normal American or Canadian company (at least not for their communication or writing skills), so I’m inclined to think that they ended up teaching in Korea only because they couldn’t get hired in their home countries. I seriously doubt any of them knew anything about Korea or really cared about Korea before arriving there (although my guess is that some of them still probably don’t after spending years in Korea, lol).

    I could go on indefinitely, but I’ll stop here for now. I feel the pain of some English teachers in Korea who are genuinely hardworking and qualified but unfairly painted with the same brush as their more unruly cohorts (kind of reminds me of how South and North Korea are also often painted with the same brush in the media)–I know b/c I used to be an English teacher in Korea too and have experienced or witnessed many of the things that expats in Korea often complain about. Korea definitely has its own problems (I could write another essay on that!). But I think we have to understand where the Koreans are coming from, too. And I totally agree with the poster who said that we need to show Koreans the best in us, not the worst in us.

    Reply
48. Megan says:

    December 11, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    Hi!

    Wow! I really enjoyed this interview. It was mentioned many Westerners come to Korea to travel rather than to teach. I actually came here to teach with the freedom that I could travel if time and finances permitted. So working is actually my main objective here in Korea; I came with the assumption that I would be “teaching” English rather than just “speaking” English in a classroom setting, but my school solely focuses on the textbook and rarely permits outside lessons and activities. It would be interesting to see how the tables could be turned if they wanted foreigners with a teaching degree to come and “teach” English.

    Reply

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50. Stacy says:

    December 14, 2011 at 9:05 am

    I think all of the above comments by NETs have covered everything I feel about teaching here in South Korea. But let me add that I have made every effort while here to learn about the culture, to engage with my co-teachers at work, to learn the language, to make local connections, to fill my role as an English teacher on the highest professional level and to represent my nation respectfully.

    I came to South Korea for the pre-history and archaeological sites. I came to see the 40,000 Dolmens that are spread all over the peninsula. Strangely, very few Koreans know about the Dolmens and even fewer care to know about them. Koreans only care about the 3 kingdoms and all their glory.

    I have taken two Korean classes and quite frankly, getting beyond greetings and basic phrases is a challenge as I don’t really have an opportunity to use it. Koreans just laugh when I exercise my Korean knowledge. Its discouraging, really. And beyond that, Koreans want to speak English with an English speaker. They have little or no patience to help learners of Korean. I would like to say that I was quite proud and surprised at how easy the Korean alphabet is to learn. Its the pronunciation that is difficult. Besides, Korean isn’t spoken anywhere else in the world and South Koreans have years of English instruction. This is not a difficult point to see who should make the effort in communication. NETs are also invited to Korea. Korea is our host.

    Also, I’ve reached out to my community in efforts to meet locals and to help Korean women gain some advantage in business. Every Thursday I meet a group of Korean women and help them with their English skills. It was my idea to help Korean women who are wanting to get jobs or have small businesses and need to improve their English. For free. I thought it would also present an opportunity to get know Koreans outside of the Korean educational system. Particularly, since my co-workers refuse to have anything to do with me.

    There are 7 English Korean teachers at my school and only one of them will talk to me. The teacher I report to resents me and has accused me of treating her like a secretary because I don’t know where to obtain materials in my school. In my current situation, at my apartment, I have had men trying to get into my apartment in the middle of the night and one night I forgot to lock the door. My drunken neighbor came into my apartment thinking it was his apartment. It is a mistake he will never make again. Every night my neighbors come home drunk in the wee hours of the morning, waking me up. Now I have bed bugs and my school refuses to do anything about it. They will not clean the apartment, or move me to another one. They say its my fault and my problem. Its not my fault. And it shouldn’t be my problem. I haven’t slept in 3 weeks. THIS is how South Korea has treated me. And I am looking for a job in another country as I will not be resigning for a job in Korea. As a matter of fact, I am playing with the thought of breaking my current contract as it has zero benefits and all of this xenophobia just isn’t worth the 2.1 million won a month.

    When I leave I will take this experience with me where ever I go. When all the NETs leave, they will take their experience here in South Korea home. Many of the NETs here are young, future business persons or perhaps political diplomats or heads of global companies and they will rememember their treatment here in South Korea.

    Reply

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52. girlandtheworld says:

    December 14, 2011 at 10:51 am

    Thanks to everyone for the amazing response. You might be interested to know that I have posted a new interview which you can read here: http://www.girlandtheworld.org/nets-in-korea-a-korean-english-teachers-perspective/

    Reply
53. pablo bindy says:

    December 29, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    The interviewee’s interview is not very interesting – it just repeats the anti-foreigner propaganda in the Korean media, and her comments are crass and illogical. Of course, she’s entitled to her opinion, it’s just not a very informed or intelligent one.

    Reply
54. Clare says:

    December 30, 2011 at 1:52 am

    I came to Korea in February not for money but to broaden my horizons, experience a new culture and live outside of the little bubble in which I was existing. I had a good job, a good salary, a nice apartment, friends and family. I saw teaching in korea as an amazing opportunity and, moreover, spent a significant amount of money on training, documentation and time to get here. I saw it as an investment in a future career which would not only pay the bills but which would provide a rewarding and fulfilling alternative to the day to day rat race.
    On arriving, I visited all of the cultural sites, absorbed the history (which I had studied in part during formal education) and made the effort to not only respect but also to understand the culture in which I was a guest.
    Whilst some Koreans responded positively to me being here, a number (including my main co-teacher and a number of colleagues) behaved either completely inappropriately or in a xenophobic / racist manner. I found this behaviour particularly difficult to deal with, particularly as it was not only in my private life but in a work environment.
    After arriving here with an open mind and baited breath, I felt a little deflated and, after only 6 months in, began organising a new job for the end of my contract and planning to leave this country. Considering that I had little inclination to communicate with a group of individuals who generally seemed to perceive me in a negative way, I learnt only the polite and necessary Korean phrases.
    Since then, I have been lucky enough to ‘acquire’ a Korean boyfriend. I have also met a good group of people in my parents’ class and happily tutor one of my adult learner’s daughters for free. In return she gives me homemade kimchi and cookies, buys me coffee and has, since my arrival, made me feel incredibly welcome. I do have other Korean friends aswell.
    I am inclined to agree that a desire to adapt to a culture is often based on the culture one is exposed to and the desire to integrate based on that exposure. My time in Korea has been great (I have lots of amazing Western friends who keep me sane) but challenging at times (to say the least).
    Often in Seoul I see signs saying that this is ‘an international city’. The more time I spend here, the more frequently I meet Korean people who are polite, friendly and (regardless of whether they speak English or not) genuinely interested in communcating or simply showing kindness.
    However, whilst my perspective has softened significantly over the past few months it remains tainted. There are still those moments when the man on the tube refuses to let me sit next to him, when the taxi driver won’t open his door to a waygook, when an ajoshi randomly shouts abuse at me down the street for no reason and when I read interviews or comments from Korean people which simply reiterate the stereotype Westerners seem to have attracted over the years.
    Not only is this disappointing (and on occasion, infuriating) but whilst these attitudes remain and some Koreans (especially the younger generations) continue to judge individuals from other cultures not on their own merits but by an inaccurate – and at times, ridiculous – stereotype, it is difficult to see how Korea will truly integrate as part of an international community or achieve the English fluency which it so desperately craves.

    Reply

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57. Bret @ Green Global Travel says:

    January 8, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    “America wants the Americanization of the world. Their ideology is so strong and so hard to change. It is hard to understand them.”

    Whether you want to disregard this statement as a misconception or not, I think this is a widely held perception of Americans. I personally tend to agree, particularly when it comes to traveling abroad. Many of the Westerners I meet in developing nations seem to want things just as they are back home (whether that be America or the UK), and don’t seem willing to take time to understand/embrace our cultural differences. Good interview, great topic!

    Reply
58. Jay says:

    January 23, 2012 at 11:29 am

    I find it weird that so many people are offended by 1 Korean’s opinion (that’s one person). It’s just an opinion among the tons of opinions you can find on this topic among Koreans. As they say 50 million Koreans 100 million opinions. The interviewee had a bad experience with English teachers so let her have it.

    Reply
59. Chris O says:

    March 20, 2012 at 12:06 am

    Admittedly I didn’t read every comment. After seeing the minute size of the scroll bar I made due with reading 15 or so.

    But from what I did read, and from the interviewee’s name and picture being stripped from the article, I feel comfortable assuming that there’s a lot of finger-pointing going on. Some comments say “Hey, that’s wrong and unfair!” Others side with the interviewee and point their finger back at most NETs. I can’t disagree with either side, because both are supported by many legitimate claims. Yes, many NETs get the job for the wrong reasons. Yes, many NETs don’t put in enough effort to learn Korea’s customs. But on the other hand, many Koreans do treat foreigners with a bigotry that I know is taboo in my own country of America, despite accusations against it for being intolerant of other cultures. Those are samples of many strong arguments from both ends.

    So my issue isn’t with either side. Instead, I think siding with either group is unproductive. What can be done about the issues? Koreans don’t see the benefits of NETs. First off, the government should examine whether the presence of a native speaker has a positive effect on speaking the language correctly and fluently. I assume it’s been done already, considering the resources that have been allocated to bringing teachers into the country. But millions could be either justified or saved if extensive psychological studies are done on how the brain learns a second language, and whether the presence of a native speaker has a positive enough impact to justify our salaries. If it helps, great! The government should tell the world. If it doesn’t, then stop hiring us! As much as I like my job, I’d hate to think I wasn’t getting anything done while I was here.

    One thing I totally agree with is the need to raise standards on new hires. They should only bring in people who have a genuine interest in the job and the culture, and have the skills (or the aptitude for the skills) to make a worthwhile difference. Then again, during my orientation my group was congratulated on several occasions for passing their allegedly more competitive standards. So, perhaps they’re starting to change things?

    Thing is, whatever side you’re on, there are problems. What can we do to solve them?

    Reply

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61. Marie says:

    April 13, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    I realize this is an old article, but I’ve only just discovered it. I’m not in Seoul, nor am I a public school teacher. I am in a smaller town and work at a university, so this kind of news travels a bit more slowly down here.

    I may be reiterating what others have said because I’m not going to read every single comment. But it is incredibly one-sided to interview a person who admittedly doesn’t know many foreigners and then allow that person to make sweeping generalizations about said people. That is racism. Out and out racism. She is clearly a racist, and you are contributing by publishing it.

    The recruitment system in Korea is horrible. There are a number of bad teachers because you allow them to be. No, you seek them out. You actively find people, not teachers, regardless of qualifications and bring them here. But guess what, there are also a lot of great ones. Where is the interview that reflects those teachers? Excuse me, I mean “us”. I include myself in that group.

    Also, you need to clearly differentiate between Western culture and America. You asked a question about Western culture versus Korean culture, and the answer was given as a negative response toward Americans. Obviously, there is a mix of British, Australian, New Zealander, South African and Canadian teachers here in addition to American ones. So why the anti-American sentiment? Has this person even been to America? I highly doubt it.

    Oh, and just my opinion, but her English could use quite a bit of improving. If she claimed she didn’t learn much English until university, then I think she pretty much proved the point as to why native speakers are needed at a younger age.

    To whomever conducted this interview, posted this article, or runs this website, I hope you take a journalism class. There is a thing called “objectivity”. Look it up. If you don’t know what that means, feel free to ask me. I’m a good English teacher.

    Reply
62. Chi says:

    April 27, 2012 at 2:43 am

    Ok. I’m a 17 year old high school student at the moment. I LOVE Asian culture and recently I’ve decided to live in Korea. I was already planning to become an English teacher here in the U.S., but after hearing how there is a need for English teachers in Korea I’ve changed my mind. Now yes, one of the top 3 reasons I want to do this is money and that’s ok. The number one reason I want to do this is because I want to learn about Korean culture and this is one of the best ways to do this. Now I do agree with the idea that if you are going to teach in Korea learn Korean. That’s just common sense to me. I appreciate this article even though it was mostly opinions and I’ll use it to improve the way I’ll teach my students.

    Reply

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64. londone7 says:

    December 9, 2011 at 3:46 am

    ‘kerala tour guides’ is spam just linking back to a travel website!

    Reply
65. girlandtheworld says:

    December 9, 2011 at 4:17 am

    Oops, yes sorry I’ll remove that.

    Reply