In a Teacher’s Opinion

By John Pipes

The following is a composite of “types” a friend of mine and I compiled over an afternoon spent discussing the ESL industry in South Korea. The conversation revolved around a central question: Whom are the people today choosing to be ESL teachers?

We are both concerned in the direction the industry is taking. As ESL teachers of many years and experience in South Korea, we have both noticed changes throughout the years, not only on the business end of things, but also changes in the different personalities and backgrounds of the teachers coming to work here.

The teacher “types” we have compiled in this list, by no means comprehensive, but hopefully insightful, are based on teachers we currently know or have been colleagues of in the past. And though it is based solely on our experience, many of the "character types" that we came up with seem to hold true.

I felt so strongly about this topic and the conversation we had that I felt by sharing it some people might find it educational, especially those who are considering a career in ESL. And perhaps it will be humorous to those professionals who have encountered these “types” during their career.

See if you can spot yourself in any of these descriptions.

The Backpacker/Adventurer The backpacker or adventure has no real interest in quality education or doing a good job. He/She is looking for adventure or excitement in foreign lands and teaching English is a free ticket for a long trip. Though a few of these types do make good teachers, this generally has more to do with their personality and genuine interest in people and other cultures than any desire to provide quality education.

The LBH: Looser Back HomeAlthough this is a harsh title, many teachers will be able to recollect encountering people such as these. They are people who usually couldn't survive in "the real world,” i.e. unable to survive in a competitive job market, lacking social skills, unable to network to advance their careers. He or she would probably be skipping from one minimum wage job to another. They most likely couldn't hold down a job for a long period of time and perhaps are still living at home with their parents. Many such types may be carrying a lot of emotional baggage. They may even be sociopaths, alcoholics or drug abusers and unable to "fit in" with their peer group. Many will have an "I don't care" attitude. Asia is a place where they can lose themselves while running away from their problems.

The Escapee The Escapee has a lot in common with the LBH, but isn’t quite as pathetic. They may have run into insurmountable business or personal problems that force them into a decision to teach ESL as a last ditch effort to start over. He or she may feel that by escaping their old life, they can start afresh and begin to build anew. Unfortunately, with such excess of emotional baggage, it is questionable whether or not they would make decent teachers.

I Don't Care/Just give me the money People with this attitude don't have any interest in teaching English whatsoever and would be seen as lazy. They don't care about the job or the students they teach. A lot of these types may not have all their qualifications such as a Bachelor's Degree or College Diploma. All they're looking for is a "free ride" and are wandering through life aimlessly. With no interest in education or even doing a good job, all they will most likely do is photocopy articles and say "Let's talk about this today."

Doors Closed Back Home A large number of teachers fall into this category. Though a person may be well educated and have a bank of life experience and knowledge, they find it difficult to secure a decent job back home and are unable to establish a life for themselves. A feeling of limbo is common. In choosing ESL teaching, he or she may feel it is a way of moving forward. Unfortunately, many also share the feeling that in deciding to move to Asia, there is nothing to go back home to except family. Some may have feelings of leading a "wasted life" or are afraid for their future, having cut themselves off from connections at home. On the positive side, quite a few from this category become genuinely interested in ESL teaching and do make good teachers.

The Professionals These individuals are genuinely interested in ESL teaching and are concerned about being the best teacher they can. They bring with them good degrees and in most cases backgrounds in Education. People from this group make excellent teachers through their genuine and conscientious approach to doing a good job. They have a positive impact on their student’s lives and the ESL industry in general.

The Ex-teachers This category is somewhat smaller than the others. The Ex-teachers are usually retired teachers themselves who are not ready for "the rocking chair" or after having worked in the regular public school systems back home, want a positive change. They quite often make excellent ESL teachers. However, there is a danger they have become disillusioned with teaching or are cynical towards students. Unfortunately, with a few of these types, they go around bragging that they are "real teachers", isolating themselves from the rest of the ESL community by their "all high and mighty" attitude.