Some of you might be curious or concerned what's going on after the huge earthquake in Japan.
If you're worried about someone, Google People Finder Japan is helping people track down the missing ones they love: if you're worried about someone, you can post a note, and people who have been disconnected from the people they love can leave a note there saying they're OK.
Here in Korea, we're OK. Japan's mainland blocked us from the tsunami, and even if it didn't, Seoul, where I live, is far, far from the east coast, where such a tsunami would hit.
BBC's coverage has been awesome so far. Go here for to the second updates on the feed, and video as they have it.
You can also follow http://twitter.com/BBCBreaking, BBC's breaking news twitter feed.
This website includes updates, along with info about shelters.
And if you live in Japan, don't forget to leave a note on your Facebook wall, and send a note to the people closest to you, so that they know you're OK.
This is the video clip that blew my mind: look how fast the water sweeps across the farmland.
And in about an hour, the tsunami reaches Hawaii.
Prayers, if you pray, are in order. And hope that Hawaii's building codes and engineering hold up as admirably as Japan's have.
When I went to the Maldives with Wifeoseyo for our honeymoon, our tourguide in Male (the capital of the maldives), told us that a handful of islands vanished completely because of the 2007 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. I hope the folks in the South Pacific and Hawaii are OK.
one expat's life in Korea
Friday, March 11, 2011
North Korean Kids Playing Instruments
I'm not sure the exact purpose for making and circulating these kinds of videos... but they're quite something to see.
Facebook pal David put this up on his page...
which reminded me of these videos of North Korean kids kicking ass on other instruments.
This kid's a Xylophone prodigy... look at her go...
And this one's of two kids rocking their drumsets... I love the little girl's posture.
This one never went viral like the xylophone playing girl and the drumming kids, but it's impressive as well.
Take THAT, Sungha Jung!
Make of it what you will.
http://www.youtube.com/user/rodrigorojo1#p/u there are more videos like this at Rodrigorojo1's youtube account... but be careful, lest you be North Korean Propagandized. The channel's mostly clips from North Korea's TV station.
by the way...
When North Korea showed video of the four defectors' families, probably in an attempt to blackmail the four people who blew into South Korean waters in a boat, and decided not to return to North Korea... (ABC news link) (which seriously does suck, because North Korea has been known to punish treason to the third generation - that is, if I spray-paint "Kim Jong-il licks donkey balls" on a wall, me, my family, my parents, and my kids will go to adeath "reeducation" camp.
Did anybody else think of this:
Facebook pal David put this up on his page...
which reminded me of these videos of North Korean kids kicking ass on other instruments.
This kid's a Xylophone prodigy... look at her go...
And this one's of two kids rocking their drumsets... I love the little girl's posture.
This one never went viral like the xylophone playing girl and the drumming kids, but it's impressive as well.
Take THAT, Sungha Jung!
Make of it what you will.
http://www.youtube.com/user/rodrigorojo1#p/u there are more videos like this at Rodrigorojo1's youtube account... but be careful, lest you be North Korean Propagandized. The channel's mostly clips from North Korea's TV station.
by the way...
When North Korea showed video of the four defectors' families, probably in an attempt to blackmail the four people who blew into South Korean waters in a boat, and decided not to return to North Korea... (ABC news link) (which seriously does suck, because North Korea has been known to punish treason to the third generation - that is, if I spray-paint "Kim Jong-il licks donkey balls" on a wall, me, my family, my parents, and my kids will go to a
Did anybody else think of this:
Friday, March 04, 2011
ATEK Officer No Longer
Well, readers, it's time to let everybody know.
Since about May last year, I was a ATEK's National Communications Officer, but I'm no longer an ATEK officer.
You see, this December, I was accepted into a local Graduate School of International Studies, so I'll be a full-time student instead, doing Korean Cultural Studies. The way the rules work now, no longer being an English Teacher disqualifies me from being an ATEK officer as well. I'll continue to be an associate member (anyone can be an associate member), and I'll continue to support ATEK however I can, but I've made way for a lady from Busan named Rachel, who will be taking over as ATEK's press liaison, and the like. Rachel's an excellent lady, and you can reach her at media@atek.or.kr
I'll write some of my personal opinions about what ATEK needs heading into the future in another post, soon, lest this one reach TL/DNR territory. However, and I don't think I can state this strongly enough...
I remain convinced that ATEK is the group with the best chance of effecting real change, and a real improvement in the lives of English teachers in Korea, and there are just tons of opportunities for you to get involved in ATEK if you're an English teacher:
1. there are sixteen regional areas in ATEK (PMAs) - this means that you can focus on local issues, and local activities. That's really cool.
2. there are twenty different types of officer positions in ATEK, which means that there's an officer position that fits your area of interest, knowledge, and expertise.
3. there are ATEK positions that run the gamut from "as needed" to "I'm really getting into it," as time commitments go.
4. Some of these officer positions are very much still being developed, which means you get a blank slate in some ways, to adapt the role to suit your interests, and the needs of your local organization.
What does ATEK need right now? All across the regional organizations...
1. Volunteer and Social Officers
What is it... Volunteer officers find, and spread the word about opportunities for English teachers to give back to their communities. There are organizations all around Korea that would love some English teachers to donate some time, and you can help connect teachers who want to help, with organizations who'd love to have their help.
Social officers plan events where English teachers can meet and network with other English teachers. Clubs, special interest groups, and the like: sometimes this position includes event planning, and other times, it just means letting ATEK members know about events that are already being planned by others.
What's so great about... These positions help push against the stereotype that English teachers are morally unqualified, or that they don't care about Korea, Koreans, or Korean culture, or that they don't do anything but drink on the weekend.
Volunteer and Social officers are super-important to ATEK, because the best kind of recruiting happens at these events, both for members, and for potential officers to fill out other positions in the local organizations. Do you want to know why Busan PMA is flourishing? Because they plan events, and attract good people to ATEK through these events.
Time commitment: self-determined.
A good officer is... social, good at meeting people and organizing events, a team player, flexible, organized, either good at taking care of details, or delegating them, and hopefully fun.
2. Ethics Officers
What is it: Ethics is a separate part of ATEK: Ethics operates as the conscience of the organization. An Ethics officer's job is to understand the organization, and the principles it's founded on, well, and to help other officers understand the organization through that lens.
The ethics committee may sometimes need to investigate cases of behavior that is of questionable ethics, or to make recommendations for how to carry out a task in the way that is most ethical, and most harmonious with ATEK's bylaws (the organization's constitution).
What's so great about... ethics is the conscience of the association, and a well-functioning ethics committee is absolutely vital to helping ATEK build its credibility and moral authority as a trustworthy organization helping English teachers.
Time commitment: as needed. High during times of crisis, low when everything's running smoothly.
A good officer is: principled and aware of the effects events and actions have on the image of the organization, and the integrity of the organization. A good ethics officer has often studied law, philosophy, or ethics in school, and will need to become familiar with ATEK's bylaws, in order to test ideas and issues, and plan the course of action that is most harmonious with ATEK's bylaws.
3. Membership Officer
What is it: A membership officer takes care of the membership list for ATEK: because they are dealing with people's private information, membership officers must be responsible to handle this sensitive information in ethical ways. Membership officers also help oversee ATEK's elections (until the elections committee is fully functioning) by making sure that those who are voting have proper registration and legitimate voting privileges within the organization. Because they are the only ones with access to members' information, membership officers are also responsible for e-mailing communications to members, and communicating with members.
What's so great about... maintaining accurate membership records and keeping the organization well organized will help ATEK with its NGO application. Accurate and up-to-date records represents the legitimacy and professionalism of the organization.
Time commitment: if the organization is growing, membership officers are busy making sure everyone is properly registered. Frankly, it can be quite a time commitment, especially during training and learning the ropes, and during periods of growth.
A good officer is: detail-oriented. Good at handling information databases (spreadsheets etc.) Computer-literate and well-organized. Sensitive to ethical concerns about private information. This is a great job for someone who wants to quietly play a vital supporting role, but does not want to be highly public and visible in their role. Uses a PC (because the membership database spreadsheets run on PC programs for now.)
4. Communications Officer
What is it: Communications is the PR arm of ATEK. Not only does the communications committee write press releases and keep in touch with the media and ATEK members, the communications committee also helps work on improving content on ATEK's website, and developing a new edition of the English Teacher's Guide to Korea. Important updates and information packages for English teachers and other education-interested people is all in the Communication Committee's sphere of influence.
What's so great about... you can help get the word out about ATEK. ATEK has an important message, and a lot to offer English teachers, but teachers don't join if they don't hear about it. In the course of representing ATEK, you get your name out to newspaper and magazine editors and other media professionals.
Time commitment: medium to substantial, depending on how much time you put into ongoing projects: there are a ton of ongoing projects, so if you have the time, the communications team will have something for you to do.
A good officer is: media and computer literate (both new and old media are good) maybe with training in writing or journalism. Creative, articulate in writing and well spoken. Sensitive to public perception issues for ATEK. Good at compiling information (for the guidebook), and good at expressing the goals and concerns of ATEK's members.
5. PMA Chair
What is it: A PMA stands for "Provincial or Metropolitan Association" - these are ATEK's local chapters. A PMA chair is like the moderator of a discussion: the PMA chair's job is to understand ATEK's national goals and aims, and to help the PMA's local officers to develop a local identity for ATEK, that works in their own community, while being in harmony with the national association. PMA chairs recruit officers, and motivate them perform their role the best they can; they represent their PMA's concerns and local issues in the National Council. It's like ATEK's version of a middle manager, helping the relationship between the local and the national association to be functional and productive.
What's so great about... it can be a flexible position, because of the different ways different officers need support and encouragement, and the different officers a PMA might have, or lack. While a PMA chair can help delegate and coordinate tasks, so that those vacant officer roles aren't missed, a chair can also devote a lot of energy to recruiting people for those vacant officer positions.
Time commitment: can be high in an active PMA... but seeing an active PMA is really satisfying.
A good officer is... a great team-player, good at working with people and coordinating and motivating people. Adaptable, willing to flex their vision to fit with the goals of the organization at large, and the interests and talents of the other PMA officers. A good networker and communicator, able to see the big picture, and a good judge of talent, to identify potential recruits for other local officer positions.
6. Webmaster
What is it: The national webmaster is in charge of ATEK's website and runs the technical side; other members of the webmaster committee answer to the national webmaster, and the webmaster collaborates with the communications committee to help the website best convey the information the communications committee needs to share with the public. Most of ATEK's officer materials are also digital (training manuals etc.); the webmaster (unless I am mistaken) also makes sure that these digital information resources are operating the way they should: accessible to those who need it, and secure from those who don't need it.
What's so great about... ATEK's website is often the group's first point of contact with press, educators, and English teachers. Making the website run more smoothly and look nicer, making the information there more accessible, and keeping the back end clean, while helping less computer-literate officers learn how to use the forums and website effectively, is an important part of presenting ATEK to the public.
Time commitment: as with Communications, the tasks here are ongoing, so whatever time you're willing to give, ATEK would be happy to have. Could be high, if you have a lot of ideas and energy.
A good officer is... highly computer literate, knows about website design. Familiar with joomla, the program that powers the website. A creative team player who can help generate ideas on how to best communicate with the public, through ATEK's website.
7. Employment "Labor" Issues Officer
What is it One of the most important roles in ATEK. The employment issues officer is not a lawyer, but has been trained in educating people about their workplace rights according to Korean law. This is the officer who helps people understand their contract, understand when their boss is doing something illegal, and develop a strategy to ensure fair treatment under Korean law. This person is not a lawyer, a representative, or a legal counsel, but this person knows a thing or two about problem solving, including when to call a legal counsel.
What's so great about... you get to help people. Literally every week, somebody comes to ATEK with an issue about unpaid wages, or severance, or other work and contract issues. The Employment Issues Officer hears these people out, and helps them deal with their frustrating situation.
Time commitment: high. Do it because you really love to help people. It's rewarding as anything, but the training, and dealing with teachers' issues, is a time commitment.
A good officer is... possibly trained in, or knowledgeable about law. A problem solver who is task-oriented, and loves helping people, and dealing with people. A good listener and communicator, who has a knack for getting to the heart of a problem. Organized and good at following through.
These are not the only areas where ATEK is looking for officers, but it's a pretty good start. This list skews to the practical: there area also officer positions that focus on cultural understanding issues, human rights issues, other emergency needs, as well as professional development. You can go to ATEK.or.kr/officers to learn more.
Since about May last year, I was a ATEK's National Communications Officer, but I'm no longer an ATEK officer.
You see, this December, I was accepted into a local Graduate School of International Studies, so I'll be a full-time student instead, doing Korean Cultural Studies. The way the rules work now, no longer being an English Teacher disqualifies me from being an ATEK officer as well. I'll continue to be an associate member (anyone can be an associate member), and I'll continue to support ATEK however I can, but I've made way for a lady from Busan named Rachel, who will be taking over as ATEK's press liaison, and the like. Rachel's an excellent lady, and you can reach her at media@atek.or.kr
I'll write some of my personal opinions about what ATEK needs heading into the future in another post, soon, lest this one reach TL/DNR territory. However, and I don't think I can state this strongly enough...
I remain convinced that ATEK is the group with the best chance of effecting real change, and a real improvement in the lives of English teachers in Korea, and there are just tons of opportunities for you to get involved in ATEK if you're an English teacher:
1. there are sixteen regional areas in ATEK (PMAs) - this means that you can focus on local issues, and local activities. That's really cool.
2. there are twenty different types of officer positions in ATEK, which means that there's an officer position that fits your area of interest, knowledge, and expertise.
3. there are ATEK positions that run the gamut from "as needed" to "I'm really getting into it," as time commitments go.
4. Some of these officer positions are very much still being developed, which means you get a blank slate in some ways, to adapt the role to suit your interests, and the needs of your local organization.
What does ATEK need right now? All across the regional organizations...
1. Volunteer and Social Officers
What is it... Volunteer officers find, and spread the word about opportunities for English teachers to give back to their communities. There are organizations all around Korea that would love some English teachers to donate some time, and you can help connect teachers who want to help, with organizations who'd love to have their help.
Social officers plan events where English teachers can meet and network with other English teachers. Clubs, special interest groups, and the like: sometimes this position includes event planning, and other times, it just means letting ATEK members know about events that are already being planned by others.
What's so great about... These positions help push against the stereotype that English teachers are morally unqualified, or that they don't care about Korea, Koreans, or Korean culture, or that they don't do anything but drink on the weekend.
Volunteer and Social officers are super-important to ATEK, because the best kind of recruiting happens at these events, both for members, and for potential officers to fill out other positions in the local organizations. Do you want to know why Busan PMA is flourishing? Because they plan events, and attract good people to ATEK through these events.
Time commitment: self-determined.
A good officer is... social, good at meeting people and organizing events, a team player, flexible, organized, either good at taking care of details, or delegating them, and hopefully fun.
2. Ethics Officers
What is it: Ethics is a separate part of ATEK: Ethics operates as the conscience of the organization. An Ethics officer's job is to understand the organization, and the principles it's founded on, well, and to help other officers understand the organization through that lens.
The ethics committee may sometimes need to investigate cases of behavior that is of questionable ethics, or to make recommendations for how to carry out a task in the way that is most ethical, and most harmonious with ATEK's bylaws (the organization's constitution).
What's so great about... ethics is the conscience of the association, and a well-functioning ethics committee is absolutely vital to helping ATEK build its credibility and moral authority as a trustworthy organization helping English teachers.
Time commitment: as needed. High during times of crisis, low when everything's running smoothly.
A good officer is: principled and aware of the effects events and actions have on the image of the organization, and the integrity of the organization. A good ethics officer has often studied law, philosophy, or ethics in school, and will need to become familiar with ATEK's bylaws, in order to test ideas and issues, and plan the course of action that is most harmonious with ATEK's bylaws.
3. Membership Officer
What is it: A membership officer takes care of the membership list for ATEK: because they are dealing with people's private information, membership officers must be responsible to handle this sensitive information in ethical ways. Membership officers also help oversee ATEK's elections (until the elections committee is fully functioning) by making sure that those who are voting have proper registration and legitimate voting privileges within the organization. Because they are the only ones with access to members' information, membership officers are also responsible for e-mailing communications to members, and communicating with members.
What's so great about... maintaining accurate membership records and keeping the organization well organized will help ATEK with its NGO application. Accurate and up-to-date records represents the legitimacy and professionalism of the organization.
Time commitment: if the organization is growing, membership officers are busy making sure everyone is properly registered. Frankly, it can be quite a time commitment, especially during training and learning the ropes, and during periods of growth.
A good officer is: detail-oriented. Good at handling information databases (spreadsheets etc.) Computer-literate and well-organized. Sensitive to ethical concerns about private information. This is a great job for someone who wants to quietly play a vital supporting role, but does not want to be highly public and visible in their role. Uses a PC (because the membership database spreadsheets run on PC programs for now.)
4. Communications Officer
What is it: Communications is the PR arm of ATEK. Not only does the communications committee write press releases and keep in touch with the media and ATEK members, the communications committee also helps work on improving content on ATEK's website, and developing a new edition of the English Teacher's Guide to Korea. Important updates and information packages for English teachers and other education-interested people is all in the Communication Committee's sphere of influence.
What's so great about... you can help get the word out about ATEK. ATEK has an important message, and a lot to offer English teachers, but teachers don't join if they don't hear about it. In the course of representing ATEK, you get your name out to newspaper and magazine editors and other media professionals.
Time commitment: medium to substantial, depending on how much time you put into ongoing projects: there are a ton of ongoing projects, so if you have the time, the communications team will have something for you to do.
A good officer is: media and computer literate (both new and old media are good) maybe with training in writing or journalism. Creative, articulate in writing and well spoken. Sensitive to public perception issues for ATEK. Good at compiling information (for the guidebook), and good at expressing the goals and concerns of ATEK's members.
5. PMA Chair
What is it: A PMA stands for "Provincial or Metropolitan Association" - these are ATEK's local chapters. A PMA chair is like the moderator of a discussion: the PMA chair's job is to understand ATEK's national goals and aims, and to help the PMA's local officers to develop a local identity for ATEK, that works in their own community, while being in harmony with the national association. PMA chairs recruit officers, and motivate them perform their role the best they can; they represent their PMA's concerns and local issues in the National Council. It's like ATEK's version of a middle manager, helping the relationship between the local and the national association to be functional and productive.
What's so great about... it can be a flexible position, because of the different ways different officers need support and encouragement, and the different officers a PMA might have, or lack. While a PMA chair can help delegate and coordinate tasks, so that those vacant officer roles aren't missed, a chair can also devote a lot of energy to recruiting people for those vacant officer positions.
Time commitment: can be high in an active PMA... but seeing an active PMA is really satisfying.
A good officer is... a great team-player, good at working with people and coordinating and motivating people. Adaptable, willing to flex their vision to fit with the goals of the organization at large, and the interests and talents of the other PMA officers. A good networker and communicator, able to see the big picture, and a good judge of talent, to identify potential recruits for other local officer positions.
6. Webmaster
What is it: The national webmaster is in charge of ATEK's website and runs the technical side; other members of the webmaster committee answer to the national webmaster, and the webmaster collaborates with the communications committee to help the website best convey the information the communications committee needs to share with the public. Most of ATEK's officer materials are also digital (training manuals etc.); the webmaster (unless I am mistaken) also makes sure that these digital information resources are operating the way they should: accessible to those who need it, and secure from those who don't need it.
What's so great about... ATEK's website is often the group's first point of contact with press, educators, and English teachers. Making the website run more smoothly and look nicer, making the information there more accessible, and keeping the back end clean, while helping less computer-literate officers learn how to use the forums and website effectively, is an important part of presenting ATEK to the public.
Time commitment: as with Communications, the tasks here are ongoing, so whatever time you're willing to give, ATEK would be happy to have. Could be high, if you have a lot of ideas and energy.
A good officer is... highly computer literate, knows about website design. Familiar with joomla, the program that powers the website. A creative team player who can help generate ideas on how to best communicate with the public, through ATEK's website.
7. Employment "Labor" Issues Officer
What is it One of the most important roles in ATEK. The employment issues officer is not a lawyer, but has been trained in educating people about their workplace rights according to Korean law. This is the officer who helps people understand their contract, understand when their boss is doing something illegal, and develop a strategy to ensure fair treatment under Korean law. This person is not a lawyer, a representative, or a legal counsel, but this person knows a thing or two about problem solving, including when to call a legal counsel.
What's so great about... you get to help people. Literally every week, somebody comes to ATEK with an issue about unpaid wages, or severance, or other work and contract issues. The Employment Issues Officer hears these people out, and helps them deal with their frustrating situation.
Time commitment: high. Do it because you really love to help people. It's rewarding as anything, but the training, and dealing with teachers' issues, is a time commitment.
A good officer is... possibly trained in, or knowledgeable about law. A problem solver who is task-oriented, and loves helping people, and dealing with people. A good listener and communicator, who has a knack for getting to the heart of a problem. Organized and good at following through.
These are not the only areas where ATEK is looking for officers, but it's a pretty good start. This list skews to the practical: there area also officer positions that focus on cultural understanding issues, human rights issues, other emergency needs, as well as professional development. You can go to ATEK.or.kr/officers to learn more.
Monday, February 28, 2011
GEPIK Does not Want High Quality Teachers? Memo to Korea: You Get What You Pay For
If this comment under Brian in Jeollanamdo's post about GEPIK budget cuts is true, then it seems that it's true, the rumor going around that Korean educators are giving preference to low-level, less experienced, less qualified teachers, rather than experienced and qualified teachers. Can any other readers corroborate similar experiences?
This draws into stark relief, the pure hypocrisy of the Korean media bitching and moaning about "low quality English teachers" when that's all the ministry of education is willing to pay for.
This makes articles like these (covered by Popular Gusts) even more contemptible and disgusting: trotting out the ugly "unqualified teachers are in our classes" scapegoating trope in the aftermath of a frigging suicide, when the choices of Korean education policy and decision-makers chose to bring those 'low-quality teachers' in, is lower than low.
There is lots of talk about providing counseling and services to help others who come to Korea: specifically, the immigrant brides in the countryside -- yet instead of using the suicides of two teachers in a week to start a discussion about extending further support and services to expats having trouble adjusting, instead they gasp that some of the mentally ill and suicide prone people teaching Korea's children are foreigners. (What is the suicide rate among Korean schoolteachers? Anybody have that on hand? What about the crime rate of Korean schoolteachers against students? Hurting kids has GOT to be higher on the "education-related social outcry" totem pole than self-harm, hasn't it?)
On the other hand, I guess it makes sense that counseling is only being considered to be provided for immigrant wives, when they're the ones mothering little Korean (or at least half-Korean, which seems to count now) babies. (Don't get any ideas, English teachers.)
In the meantime, since it becomes clear that emergency and services and counseling help are clearly nowhere near the interests of the powers that be, it's time for English teachers to counsel themselves. I'm gathering sources from a few different places, and I'm preparing a post that will list them, as completely as I can. If you know of emergency counseling services that expats and English teachers can use, paid or free, in person or online, let me know.
Dear Korea:
Re: low quality English teachers:
You get what you pay for.
Sincerely:
Roboseyo
This draws into stark relief, the pure hypocrisy of the Korean media bitching and moaning about "low quality English teachers" when that's all the ministry of education is willing to pay for.
This makes articles like these (covered by Popular Gusts) even more contemptible and disgusting: trotting out the ugly "unqualified teachers are in our classes" scapegoating trope in the aftermath of a frigging suicide, when the choices of Korean education policy and decision-makers chose to bring those 'low-quality teachers' in, is lower than low.
There is lots of talk about providing counseling and services to help others who come to Korea: specifically, the immigrant brides in the countryside -- yet instead of using the suicides of two teachers in a week to start a discussion about extending further support and services to expats having trouble adjusting, instead they gasp that some of the mentally ill and suicide prone people teaching Korea's children are foreigners. (What is the suicide rate among Korean schoolteachers? Anybody have that on hand? What about the crime rate of Korean schoolteachers against students? Hurting kids has GOT to be higher on the "education-related social outcry" totem pole than self-harm, hasn't it?)
On the other hand, I guess it makes sense that counseling is only being considered to be provided for immigrant wives, when they're the ones mothering little Korean (or at least half-Korean, which seems to count now) babies. (Don't get any ideas, English teachers.)
In the meantime, since it becomes clear that emergency and services and counseling help are clearly nowhere near the interests of the powers that be, it's time for English teachers to counsel themselves. I'm gathering sources from a few different places, and I'm preparing a post that will list them, as completely as I can. If you know of emergency counseling services that expats and English teachers can use, paid or free, in person or online, let me know.
Dear Korea:
Re: low quality English teachers:
You get what you pay for.
Sincerely:
Roboseyo
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