South Korea: Teaching English ain't Easy
Living and working in South Korea is at times stimulating and at times aggravating. Moments of frustration usually stem from: a) a lack of understanding about what is happening (or why); b) application of Western cultural expectations to situations where those expectations are not appropriate; or c) a low tolerance for ambiguity and/or confusion. Two things can help lessen the frequency and intensity of this frustration: information and acceptance.
This lens is designed to provide Teachers of English in Korea information and resources to help them get adjusted to the society in which they live and work.
This lens is designed to provide Teachers of English in Korea information and resources to help them get adjusted to the society in which they live and work.
Table of Contents
- READ: Korea Beat
- READ: The Marmot's Hole
- READ: ROK Drop
- READ: Jumping the Asymptote
- LEARN: Books that may help you "get" Koreans.
- UNDERSTAND: Blog posts, essays, and op. editorials of interest to foreign teachers.
- CONNECT: Meet Other Expats in Your Area
- If you Learn One Thing, Learn This:
- Featured Lenses
- Reader Feedback
READ: Korea Beat
The Blog for Korean News in English Translation
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byREAD: The Marmot's Hole
A blog about Korean current events, Korean politics, Korean media, Korean culture and just about everything else about Korea.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byREAD: ROK Drop
Serving on the Forgotten Frontier
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byREAD: Jumping the Asymptote
Korean Culture through an Expatriate's Lens
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLEARN: Books that may help you "get" Koreans.
Vote for your faves!
The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies by Michael Breen
The rise of South Korea is one of the most unexpec more...1 point
Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to Living and Working in Korea (The Interact Series) by Robert, L. Kohls
From first page to last, Learning to Think Korean more...0 points
Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History, Updated Edition by Bruce Cumings
"Passionate, cantankerous, and fascinating%u2 more...0 points
Changing Korea: Understanding Culture and Communication (Critical Intercultural Communication Studies) (Critical Intercultural Communication Studies)
In the last fifty years, Korea has transformed its more...0 points
UNDERSTAND: Blog posts, essays, and op. editorials of interest to foreign teachers.
- Tips to Avoid being Assaulted in Korea
- These are some general tips to stay out of trouble. Also gives a good explanation as to why English is offensive to some Koreans.
- Why I Don't Drive in Korea and You Shouldn't Either
- An essay by Seoul legal consultant Brendon Carr.
CONNECT: Meet Other Expats in Your Area
Either Online or IRL
- Social Networking for Expats
- An essay listing and reviewing various social networking sites, and showing how they are (or are not) useful to foreigners in Korea.
If you Learn One Thing, Learn This:
YOU determine how happy, unhappy, calm, frustrated, mellow, and anxious you are in Korea. If you don't think this is true, if you think you are simply buffeted about on the winds of the universe, at the emotional mercy of the things that affect you, then you've chosen your path (although you don't see your choice in the matter) and nobody can help you until you choose differently.
Ask yourself this: why do some people get really upset at some things while other people take those same things in stride? It's the same reason why some people hate Korea after six months and some still love it after six years. If you want to take control of your happiness, If you want to enjoy what there is to enjoy, yet stay calm, collected, and focused at the things other foreigners constantly complain about, then look through this lens and see what you can glean from it.
Ask yourself this: why do some people get really upset at some things while other people take those same things in stride? It's the same reason why some people hate Korea after six months and some still love it after six years. If you want to take control of your happiness, If you want to enjoy what there is to enjoy, yet stay calm, collected, and focused at the things other foreigners constantly complain about, then look through this lens and see what you can glean from it.
Featured Lenses
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Seoul, Korea - Information and Travel Guide
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Full of skyscrapers, Seoul is the capital and the largest city in Korea. With over 10 million people, it is rich in traditions, history, and places to visit. I hope to highlight some of its rich culture as well as give you my impressions on places to...
Reader Feedback
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- Chris in South Korea Chris in South Korea Oct 17, 2009 @ 12:37 am
- Just thought I'd blurb about my own blog about life in Korea - http://chrisinsouthkorea.blogspot.com. It's primarily about life in Korea, traveling around the country, and telling readers about what's really happening in the country. Take a look at the other blogs mentioned of course - ROK Drop and Korea Beat are also excellent blogs written by great writers....
by Tony_Hellmann
My name is Tony Hellmann. I have been teaching English in Korea for about three years. I have a Bachelor's degree in Ethnic Studies and a Masters in E... (more)
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