He Who Hates the System
- 2004-12-01
China's culture accepts cheating as a legitimate way of getting things done; academic studies do not. I believe a bigger problem concerning language instruction in China is the VERY BAD quality of MOST (not all but MOST) of the students there - a problem largely attributable to the relaxed attitude of students, school employers, and Chinese people in general towards cheating.
The Arrogant One
- 2004-09-20
> but here's a message to employers: take a look at reality before being
> too demanding. You want expert professionals? Pay better and they'll
> come. Until then, don't complain.
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RIGHT ON, Bret!
I also hate to appear capitalistic, but, there it is, the here and now of life ANYWHERE in the world today: If you ain't got the money, Honey, you might as well abdicate from the whole scenario! I cannot, for the life of me, fathom WHY English teachers on the international scene have generally been placed on a comparatively low end of the pay scale. After all, those of us who have demonstrable experience and degrees are TRULY foreign "specialists," and deserve to be treated as such ... and, by that, I do not mean a salary which is only "enough to get along on" according to LOCAL cost-of-living standards!" OF COURSE, we want to travel and spread culture, but I agree with you in that we should be PAID as "experts!" In the final analysis, I never heard of a smile and a pat on the back ever paying anyone's bills! Amen.
The Arrogant One
BrettonWoods
- 2004-09-19
> Another bonus for being an ESL teacher is that in many places we work
> a lot less than people in "normal" jobs. (Talking about
> hours here, not neccessarily effort)
I'm afraid I have to agree with Henry here. Everyone in capitalist Asia firmly agrees with letting "market forces" dictate their society. They know full well that the recruitment of english teachers is for their economic benefit and that no one would show up and do a good job as a volunteer just looking for "a new experience". When they can offer competitive employment packages they will be able to recruit competitive employees. Why is that even a contentious issue? Everyone who has options in a western country or is a competitively trained/experienced teacher finds better employment situations than most of those in Asia (duh). And even those who go to Asia, lets face it, don't really have to be there to provide english teaching. They could fair just as well in their home countries. That's not to say teaching in Asia is a bad job, but here's a message to employers: take a look at reality before being too demanding. You want expert professionals? Pay better and they'll come. Until then, don't complain.
Sun Shon
- 2004-08-16
> Money. It's as simple as that. You get what you pay for.
> When the schools act more professionally and pay for professionals
> then they'll get professionals.
> Henry
Henry, Korean schools and students are short-changed. As a country we provide the Best packages and environment to English teachers. Are you an English teacher?
Sun Shon
Mike B
- 2004-08-13
Another bonus for being an ESL teacher is that in many places we work a lot less than people in "normal" jobs. (Talking about hours here, not neccessarily effort)
newbie sensei
- 2004-08-13
I agree with Kim. ESL teaching is perhaps one of the most rewarding jobs in the world today. The salary may not be too high, but provides for a relatively easier way of life: shopping, saving, living a bit beyond the basics. In China and some parts of Korea, accommodation is provided free of charge. Best of all, it is veeeeery easy for native English speakers to get the job, even with just a bachelor's degree and no experience.
For the serious teacher, the benefits are good remuneration. But for the "backpackers", the benefits are never enough and never a good deal. Why? Because these "teachers" think they are paid to take a vacation and not paid to work. They think they are paid by the school to show off their pinky white faces and blue eyes. Worse, they impose their values on the culture and whine when their narrow-minded thinking and ideals are not imposed. What is unjust in their country may not necessarily be unjust in the school. What is good judgement in their country may not be necessarily be good judgement in the school. "When in Rome... "
Yeah, if these teachers ARE AWARE of the risk but still choose to take it, then they should quit whining and just face the music.
Kim
- 2004-08-12
> Money. It's as simple as that. You get what you pay for.
> When the schools act more professionally and pay for professionals
> then they'll get professionals.
> Henry
Henry. I agree with observer and your msg regarding China. Well, I am Korean, and we pay teachers decently. I wrote above, about low risk and high risk schools. Why teachers who gamble and go to high risk schools out of greed and "promised" less work, complaint after so much. Teachers know the situation, mostly those already in Korea and they keep making the same mistake, again and again. I guess they like to be abused and whine after.
Kim
Henry
- 2004-08-12
Money. It's as simple as that. You get what you pay for.
When the schools act more professionally and pay for professionals then they'll get professionals.
Henry
Kim
- 2004-08-10
> China. It's really a matter of unqualified English teachers. The
> question is, how soon to get rid off of them, slow down and bring
> qualified teachers under a better deal.
Good point! I also think that some "English teachers" in Asia think that they are some sort of superior beings doing THEIR god's work - without any regards to what locals think. Just too bad for the good teachers outhere trying to TEACH ENGLISH are confused with the cheap religious fanatics.
Kim
China. It's really a matter of unqualified English teachers. The question is, how soon to get rid off of them, slow down and bring qualified teachers under a better deal.