Really? I have endless accounts of punks yelling, “Hello, Moto!” as I walk down the street. The tough part is shutting their little mouths up. 
I suppose that it is mostly true, if you feel comfortable playing slow paced drill games, focusing on one student at a time, for hours on end. Let the local staff handle all of your classroom management, don’t bother really keeping track of who is learning and who isn’t, etc. Honestly though, if you do work like that for more than a few months, you shouldn’t pretend to be a teacher.
I think that a lot of it does come down to the school you end up working for. I have friends working for the same chain of schools as I, who have had incredibly bad experiences at their brick-and-mortar operation.
Ha, I hope that this comment isn’t directed specifically at MY long winded, whiny post 
Teachers who are sick of buxiban teaching should consider moving up the food chain to teaching Business English and test prep. It’s no utopia, but there’s considerably more professionalism in the management (in most cases) and the students are usually motivated to achieve real goals.
Plus, you get to wear a tie, pass out business cards that say “consultant” or “training associate”, and get together with fellow Business English teachers to sneer at buxiban backpackers. 
Anyway, it’s a teaching path that can lead to marketing and tech-writing jobs, serious business skills coaching, etc. It’s not a dead-end “sticky ball forever” scenario.
[quote=“BigJohn”]Teachers who are sick of buxiban teaching should consider moving up the food chain to teaching Business English and test prep. It’s no utopia, but there’s considerably more professionalism in the management (in most cases) and the students are usually motivated to achieve real goals.
Plus, you get to wear a tie, pass out business cards that say “consultant” or “training associate”, and get together with fellow Business English teachers to sneer at buxiban backpackers.
Anyway, it’s a teaching path that can lead to marketing and tech-writing jobs, serious business skills coaching, etc. It’s not a dead-end “sticky ball forever” scenario.[/quote]
The only problem with that is that from what I have heard is that the opportunities for teaching business English are shrinking. Not to mention that it wouldn’t be possible for everyone who wanted to move up to land such a job.
How is making a buck in order to live your life “inauthentic?” What bullshit! 
Someone on here once had a signature that read: “I do that so I can do this.” You think I’m somehow “inauthentic” because I work as a media hack? GROW UP, kid! 
I do what I do because it pays pretty well, which allows me to do things I like to do. Much the same as pretty much everybody else who earns disposable income. As you’ll probably find out for yourself when you get a wee bitty older.
How is making a buck in order to live your life “inauthentic?” What bullshit!
Someone on here once had a signature that read: “I do that so I can do this.” You think I’m somehow “inauthentic” because I work as a media hack? GROW UP, kid!
I do what I do because it pays pretty well, which allows me to do things I like to do. Much the same as pretty much everybody else who earns disposable income. As you’ll probably find out for yourself when you get a wee bitty older.[/quote]
Sandman, I have to disagree on this one. I believe that there is a decent percentage of people out there do the jobs they do not because it allows them to do the things they do but because they don’t have other opportunities or are scared to try something new. That probably doesn’t pertain so much to English teachers in Taiwan but regular Taiwanese and the people back in your country.
[quote=“steelersman”]
The only problem with that is that from what I have heard is that the opportunities for teaching business English are shrinking. Not to mention that it wouldn’t be possible for everyone who wanted to move up to land such a job.[/quote]
It’s difficult to make the transition for some people, but it can be done. One of the best ways is to start with adult conversation classes. After a year of this, you can start looking at some of the business English books, and try to get a part-time gig with EIE or some other place.
Yes, the opportunities are limited at entry level. But considering that most foreign teachers leave Taiwan after a few years, there comes a point when one’s experience starts to become an advantage. Overall, it would probably take most people 2-3 years to make the transition; less of course for business majors or those with a background in business.
That’s true, too. Maybe not actually “scared” but certainly “complacent.” I’m not pushed, I’m not particularly stressed, I go in, come home, cash my paycheck, have fun during my off-hours. I’m happy with that. “Inauthentic?” Maybe. Like EYE give a fiddler’s fart!
That’s true, too. Maybe not actually “scared” but certainly “complacent.” I’m not pushed, I’m not particularly stressed, I go in, come home, cash my paycheck, have fun during my off-hours. I’m happy with that. “Inauthentic?” Maybe. Like EYE give a fiddler’s fart! [/quote]
I don’t agree with the inauthentic part. You have to pay the bills one way or another. I hope to go back to the US and work with Medical hunters. I would like to work a year and save up some money and then go on an adventure and come back. Hopefully in about five years I will go to a Master’s in Thai studies just for the hell of it!
[quote=“sandman”]How is making a buck in order to live your life “inauthentic?” What bullshit!
Someone on here once had a signature that read: “I do that so I can do this.” You think I’m somehow “inauthentic” because I work as a media hack? GROW UP, kid!
I do what I do because it pays pretty well, which allows me to do things I like to do. Much the same as pretty much everybody else who earns disposable income. As you’ll probably find out for yourself when you get a wee bitty older.[/quote]
Only my opinion, but thanks for your reaction.
Your post makes me feel angry and disrespected, because it is so aggressive. Was that your intention in posting? And what does your job even have to do with this, anyways? What’s wrong with being a media hack? Beats me.
Ask me whats wrong with being a “teacher” who throws a sticky ball all day, in the long term (not one year, not two years… maybe five or six years), and we can talk.
Do you know how old I am? No. Nor are you familiar with my work experience or background.
“Kid.”, give me a break. You are being very confrontational, but why?
It also seems to me that you have missed my point. We all need to have an income. I’ve worked tens of jobs in my life, many of which were less than glamorous, and I always worked because I needed the money - not because I found the job fulfilling or interesting or desirable. Janitorial work, manual labor, data input, call center, retail, sales, you name it.
Please take my comment in context of the below, as intended:
Who isn’t looking for fulfillment? If you’re not interested in finding fulfilling work, than I retract my bullshit, and apologize for even talking about authenticity in the first place. Honestly, how can anyone be a bullshit ‘teacher’ long term and not question themselves? I guess that a person with no ambition, no sense of pride, and no care as to whether their young charges ever even learn anything, can throw that sticky ball until the world ends, and exist in a perfectly authentic state 
Doing this for a year or two, in order to bank enough money/experience to realize your dreams, that’s not even what we’re talking about.
Well, nobody else cares either. The only person who can measure your happiness, is yourself.
Anyways. If you do decide to reply to THIS post, please try and be a little more courteous, so that you don’t hurt my feewings again.
What’s wrong with being a media hack? Nothing at all that I can see. That’s my whole point. What’s wrong with teaching kindergarten? Nothing that I can see. Is throwing a sticky ball somehow less fulfilling that marking work books? Less authentic? I can’t see it.
Angry and confrontational? Not angry. Irritated, which I tend to get when I see people being looked down upon or charged with such nonsense as “living inauthentic lives” because of the job of work they do.
That stuff (not saying this is you, by the way) about these assholes who spout off about “how I got out of the kindy mills and got a REAL job” are to my mind FAR less authentic.
[quote=“steelersman”][quote=“BigJohn”]Teachers who are sick of buxiban teaching should consider moving up the food chain to teaching Business English and test prep. It’s no utopia, but there’s considerably more professionalism in the management (in most cases) and the students are usually motivated to achieve real goals.
Plus, you get to wear a tie, pass out business cards that say “consultant” or “training associate”, and get together with fellow Business English teachers to sneer at buxiban backpackers.
Anyway, it’s a teaching path that can lead to marketing and tech-writing jobs, serious business skills coaching, etc. It’s not a dead-end “sticky ball forever” scenario.[/quote]
The only problem with that is that from what I have heard is that the opportunities for teaching business English are shrinking. Not to mention that it wouldn’t be possible for everyone who wanted to move up to land such a job.[/quote]
Some people manage it. Why can’t you? Scared? If your own beliefs or abilites are holding you back then that’s your problem, it’s not the fault of the job you’re doing now. Or are you saying that the world owes everyone a rewarding fulfilling job? I find that hard to agree with. The only way out is up. If you haven’t got what it takes to go up, then learn to like where you are because nobody else is going to give you a better future.
I’ve met Big John, many times. He’s not Erasmus, he’s not the guy from Dead Poet’s Society, he’s not some famous hotshot famous motivational speaker. He’s just a guy who does his job and thinks about ways to move up the ladder, despite his limitations. If he can do it, anyone can. Stop making excuses, and get out of your comfort zone. Or be happy with who/where you are, like Sandman.
What exactly is a media hack?
[quote=“sandman”]What’s wrong with being a media hack? Nothing at all that I can see. That’s my whole point. What’s wrong with teaching kindergarten? Nothing that I can see. Is throwing a sticky ball somehow less fulfilling that marking work books? Less authentic? I can’t see it.
Angry and confrontational? Not angry. Irritated, which I tend to get when I see people being looked down upon or charged with such nonsense as “living inauthentic lives” because of the job of work they do.
That stuff (not saying this is you, by the way) about these assholes who spout off about “how I got out of the kindy mills and got a REAL job” are to my mind FAR less authentic.[/quote]
Didn’t say angry, just confrontational mate 
. I guess I understand what you mean.
I guess the important point is that either way you look at it, there exists a class of irredeemably shitty cram school classes.
In regards to Kindergarten, I actually feel that if one is motivated and truly interested in early childhood education, teaching Kindergarten here presents far more opportunity for fulfillment and “real teaching” than your standard fare cram school classes. I have observed several chain school Kindergarten teachers who were very effective, very professional, and satisfied with their jobs. I envy those teachers, because speaking personally, those kids are just too young, and the burden of being their surrogate parent too great.
[quote=“Loretta”]
I’ve met Big John, many times. He’s not Erasmus, he’s not the guy from Dead Poet’s Society, he’s not some famous hotshot famous motivational speaker. [/quote]
How about the Dead Parrots’ Society?
[quote=“Loretta”]
He’s just a guy who does his job and thinks about ways to move up the ladder, despite his limitations. If he can do it, anyone can. Stop making excuses, and get out of your comfort zone. Or be happy with who/where you are, like Sandman.[/quote]
Damned by faint praise!