Testimonial: From TESOL 101 with Jim to Korea

Hi Justine,

Thanks so much for all the information! It's really helpful and the links you gave me will be a great tool to use in the future. I am in South Korea now, after a long flight. I hope we can continue to keep in touch. I'm located in Incheon, are you teaching in this area as well? I'm teaching at a private academy called Parsons Language School. It's set to open on April 25th... for now I am the only foreign teacher, but my employer and my 3 other collegues are very friendly and fluent in English so I will be busy working with them to get everything ready. Anyway, just keep in touch (email me or add me on msn at bandura-88@hotmail.com). I don't have internet at my apartment yet, and I have to buy an adapter for my laptop so I can plug it in, but I will definitely be online each day once I'm settled in. Thanks again! Take care!

Hi Robert,
I've just emailed you, but here's another one. (It's based on a copy & paste of what I sent Justine.)

I did the in-class section of the TESOL in Christchurch (3 days before the quake hit it) and I'm still struggling with the on-line work.

I don't want to be the person responsible for a child's lack of learning, due to my inadequacy as a teacher, so I am doing the best that I can to memorize terms & rules for their uses. Is that really necessary, or does the curriculum that the lesson is taught from ensure that it is taught correctly?

I fear, Robert, that if I sat the exam right now, I'd PASS! The reason I find that scary is because I don't feel ready to be a teacher, yet. If the students don't learn, I'm to blame! That's a heavy weight to carry!

Please tell me: If I sit the exam & fail, can I resit it?
If I sit the exam & pass, am I best to keep studying anyway, to do other subjects?
When teaching grammar (my favourite subject - NOT!), am I best to correct every mistake I hear, AT THE TIME I HEAR IT, or listen to the sentence/question, then say (something like) "I understand the message of what you're saying / asking, but it is 'better said' / 'more accurate' to say it like this, ..."?

Robert, I do not have a Bachelor's degree (in anything), nor a teacher's degree, nor a formal 'qualification' in anything. Do do you think if I flew to South Korea (once I've done my TESOL) I'd have any chance of getting a job? Or do I need to be 'sponsored' by an employer before I go?

This is me: ACN Videophone +610753138924
jasonb@PAWED.biz / www.JasonBrown.com.au

Thanks for sharing!