Life as a TaLK Scholar: Jeju

My submission for the TaLK Movie Contest..

1) TaLK Orientation: Mainland & Jeju
2) Homestay Life
3) School Life: Sinchang Elementary School

I think TaLK is a great program because they send you to the rural schools, where the English levels are much lower than in the city. City kids are often wealthier and get a lot of English tutoring at private hakwons, and city schools also get more funding to hire more English teachers and such but the great thing about this program is they send you off to the reeeeeal countryside :) Life is so much more simpler and peaceful, and the rural kids, although they can be pretty rambunctious, are really innocent compared to their peers in America and most of them are so eager to learn English.

This is the first year they've done the TaLK program, and I know there are many who aren't satisfied with their life as a TaLK scholar. As with any new initiative, there will always be some problems and kinks to work out but I like to think that things can only get better. Some might not agree but I think it's been totally worth it so far.

I've also extended my contract another 6 months, so I'll be here until the end of July 2009.

Songs in this video:
Epik High - Fly
Lee Hyori - 빨간 자동차 (Red Car)
성시경 - 제주도 풀은바람
Father Abraham
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

Category:

Education

Tags:

• TaLK
• Teach
• and
• Learn
• In
• Korea
• in
• 2008
• Korean
• ESL
• English
• Education
• Teaching
• Jejudo
• Jeju
• Cheju
• Chejudo
• Elementary
• School
• Teacher

[youbustubus]

wow, you look very wholesome.

It's hard to understand why Koreans force foreigners only to do AIDS and DRUGS tests in order to be English teachers in Korea.

How did you feel about being considered a potential threat to all the children you taught?

[luviluvi]

Wholesome? Hope that's a good thing.

I had no problem with the drug test since I don't have a history of it. For those who have, I could see how it could be discriminatory but they also require drug tests for work in the US. It's pretty obvious they'd require that along with a criminal background check. You never know what kind of people might apply and get in.

[HeatherPennington]

I was wavering about my choice to apply to TaLK and not EPIK. Then I watched your video and now I feel incredibly inspired to stick with the choice I made. I only hope I get in! Your moments and memories look great, and I would be fortunate to have a similar experience. I also really like the music you picked. If you have a moment to respond, I would like to know what song that is. Thanks for your video! ^-^

[BellumSacrumBellum28]

Not discriminatory at all. If a person has AIDS, they have no business being around little children. Actually, they have no business teaching in any public place. Common sense dictates that. Unless your from "politically correct" America which tells its people that they should have all the fucking civil rights in the world, and if anyone tells you AIDS infected gays that being around kids is a no-no, get a liberal judge and sue, sue, sue. That's the American way. At least not here.

[youbustubus]

@luviluvi

I'm all for the crim checks, Korean teachers get them too. The companies and school that do require drug tests in the states (not all do) do NOT require them based on race or national origin. And the AIDS tests for foreign teachers are absurd.

Oh, and wholesome certainly is a good thing. I wish you all the best in Jeju! Teach those kids well.

[youbustubus]

@Psychodarity

AIDS and DRUGS tests certainly are not required of foreigners on any visa in any country.

[Psychodarity]

@youbustubus You can't be serious. First of all, you have to take those tests for any work visa in any country. Who in their right mind expects equal employment opportunity as a degenerate drug user in the first place, especially to be considered for a position to teach elementary school children in a foreign country?

[g1q1984]

i think i'm in love with lovy...

[yellowman88]

Do talk scholars get a choice to decide where they want to teach?? Cause I really want to teach in Jeju!!! The islands beautiful. Would love to live their for a 6 months to a year.

[kanpekilove]

Hi! I'll be going to Jeju as a TALK scholar this year. Can you tell me more about your life there? Is it comfortable? How's the weather year round? Is it hard/expensive to travel to Seoul from Jeju? I'd love to hear more about Jeju and its rural lifestyle before I go there. Thanks!