I never said “why so defensive?’ (YOUR quotes), I said “your tone is very defensive and full of accusations”.

And that is why you are a troll and will be deleted.

"I didn't say '1 + 2 = 3.' I said '2 + 1 = 3'!! Why are you jumping on me?!!…"

If I end up working in a city like Wonju in a hakwon teaching kids, you can come on and say "I told you so" all you want, and I'll delete it, because my job search and my future time in Korea will not be defined by an ass. I've worked in Wonju. I've taught hakwon kids. And that was fine by me, and if I do it again, it will be fine by me as well though not my first choice.

Again, my time in Korea will not be defined by an ass who says things like "I never said "why so definsive?" I said "your tone is very defensive" —

A backwater is not a complement but it is the truth. I did say you were dropped by some schools, and I stand by that. However, I hardly think that is a slur, unless you are extremely sensitive.

If you want to deny that you were dropped, then state it. If you plan on refusing to work in a backwater teaching children, then say you will NEVER do that. But you wont do that, will you.

I know what you will end up doing, and as soon as you end up there, I will remind you that "I TOLD YOU SO".

By the way, if you are going to delete my comments, please have the honesty to quote me exactly. I never said “why so defensive?’ (YOUR quotes), I said "your tone is very defensive and full of accusations". Which any reader can see. Its not the same in meaning or intent. You made it into a question.</del>

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=1…

Nothing I can do about that factor given the reasons for going over.

If I didn't have a dead father-in-law and waiting mother-in-law, I'd most likely keep doing the job hunt in the comfort of my computer room – especially now with the job market being tight in Seoul and SMOE just dumping X% of 100 screwed over TESOLers into the job market because they decide to go to Korea anyway even after feeling the Korean shaft sunk in deep……and I'd wait a couple months for things to open up as teachers start doing the midnight run back home in the public schools.

But that ain't the situation I have.

I'd also continue the job hunt from here if I thought there was a significant chance I wouldn't be able to find a decent in Seoul or beyond. The bulk of TESOLers, from reading them over at Dave's, have a "Seoul or bust" attitude. Or throw in Pusan too. Unlike people like LORDOFE2, I don't look down my nose at small cities like Wonju where I spent my first two years in Korea. I really want to do some work with NK-related NGOs, but if I'm not having luck getting a job in Seoul or its suburbs while looking in person, I'm sure I'll find one I'll like in another city in a neighboring province or in Kyonggi-do.

My guess is, if I decide to open the job hunt up to include children's hakwons, I'll be able to find a job in Seoul or the suburbs…

He was just a troll making a short comment that showed gross ignorance about what I had actually written in the post. He implied I had had several contracts pulled at the last minute and that I was stupidly worried about not finding a job. Then he said that everyone with a pulse can get hired – which is opposite of your opinion.

Unable to answer the questions I asked that pointed out his ignorance, he switched to saying I'd be a typical TESOL loser stuck in a crap job and whining about it before I ran home to mommy because I was too ignorant to get a good job to begin with.

Typical troll BS.

I hate to say it… but… I think LORDOFE2 is closer to the truth.

Unlike the trolls with baseless inflammatory statements, however, I will explain exactly why.

Several months ago, I suggested to come directly to Korea and find the perfect job in person. This would allow you to "interview" the hagwons while getting an edge over unseen candidates who were going through expensive and questionable brokers.

It's a good deal for everyone… you work exactly where you want to and the director avoids the broker lottery.

And, assuming you aren't some kind of freak in person, it is a winning strategy.

That was good advice then. It may not be now.

At the beginning of vacation season, directors are in need of extra teachers for extra classes. They know September through December will be slow… but the income generated in the summer will cover that so there is no risk.

Because you hesitated, you are now asking a director to hire you after the busy season and keep you for 4 months… maybe even at a small loss… with the expectation that he will make it back in the winter.

But that's not how directors (or smart businessmen) think. I's easier to wait and hire someone when they are needed just in case something goes wrong.

But you can overcome this if you are shyt-hot in an interview and can convince the director he is a fool to let this one slip away to the competition. Only you know if that is the case.

Now, is another reason… something EVERYBODY in the ESL racket should pay attention to… because there is a real possibility a lot of people are going to be out of a job soon.

…and you heard it from me first.

I recently had a number of top-level directors over for drinks and we talked about the business in general. Right now there is fear… a fear so terrible that it is causing incredible stress for directors that have a lot of money invested in interiors and advertising (employees are expendable).

There is a belief that the flu season this year will put a lot of places out of business… especially children's hagwons. As soon as one little snot-leaker shows up sick, a lot of precious snowflakes will be pulled out. This may apply to adult institutes as well.

The media is expected to inflame this so all hakwons will be affected even if there are isolated incidents.

The result is a lot of directors are quietly covering their bases… not expanding… or even cutting back in certain areas.

Maybe it won't happen… but the people who matter in the field of diseases are acting as if it is inevitable… and the more successful hagwon directors are quietly doing the same.

The time to come to Korea may be AFTER the panic, layoffs and closings, when there will be a shortage of teachers.

Over at Dave's ESL Cafe, several more people have said they received a cancellation email from the Seoul school board the day before their flight. In one case, the guy got the email while on a layover on his way to Korea. Some were lucky, like me, that they had not bought a ticket yet. Others were not so lucky.

The Korean government just gave the ESL industry in Korea another big black eye.

I received an email today while on my way to Seoul (through another country) saying that they have hired too many teachers and I shuold not go to Seoul.

I tell ya — if half of these stories the last couple of days at Dave's ESL Cafe are not trolls —- and I'm 100% I'm not one of the trolls — the Seoul school board just trashed Korea's already terrible ESL reputation. It looked like the public school jobs were going to help rectify the imbalance of horror stories vs good experiences. It ain't now…

I agree it is illogical and silly. To have to go back for a five minute interview with some consulate worker who in the grand scheme really does not care. Or ask just stupid and inane questions. God I would rather say hey let me pay for a translator and big fee/bribe that is half or less the cost of plane ticket.

On the one school that refused to give me a proof of employment letter (thus breaking Korean law once again), he didn't ask for an apology. He just asked I remove the post from the Internet, which was impossible because I don't run the website and emails to the person who does haven't been answered.

I'm not worried about immigration. It wouldn't be within my control anyway. So I'll deal with any issue as it pops up.

I do wonder – why would a person have to return to their home country for such an interview? Why couldn't a consulate in a third country do? They'll have fluent English speakers most likely since it is a global language of business…???…