Job Discussion Forums

[Denim-Maniac]

China has thousands, possibly millions, of its own native speakers who graduate each year with qualifications to teach English. Those non-native speakers also have an advantage in that they are able to use Chinese as a tool to teach with. Many may have sound English skills and a sound knowledge of teaching methodology.

So I would suggest that China already has an ample and well-qualified source of non-native English teachers and certainly doesnt have a need for 'Foreign Expert Residency' visas to be issued to other equally qualified non-native speakers from around the world, especially considering they dont have the advantage of local L1.

I really dont see it being discriminatory at all. And if you know anything about law in China, you would know its frequently broken, bent or adjusted to maintain 'social harmony'. A well skilled and qualifed teacher of English, who had the advantage of an education in an English speaking country would have ample opportunity to find work in China. We have all known and worked with such people.

I stick by my earlier post questioning the validity of the question, and feel there are other far more useful questions to ask.

[igamich]

Well, although I find this conversation very interesting, that was not the point of it.

I ask such questions because I am simply interested in this subject. There is no point in judging whether they are valid/ useful or whatever. It is my study and I would like to investigate this issue.
And what is more I think there is now a huge misunderstanding that I am trying to prove that the situation is bad, that it should not be like this. Even if that is my own, personal opinion and I would like to fight against it (whether somebody likes it or not) the aim of my study is just to investigate another teacher's opinion. Nothing else. I do not provide them with any assumptions neither will try to suggest their responses because I see no point in it.

[Non Sequitur]

[IvanaShaanxi]

Hi, I am a non-native English teacher in China, have been working here for three years. As far as my experience goes, and I think its fairly representative, as long as you are white (and "foreign-looking" as much as possible) your chances of getting a job are high. I come from Serbia , which still counts as Europe, so upon learning the fact The Chinese assume in advance that you speak good English- a result that automatically comes from living in a developed region, I guess

Our English skills are never gauged.

GGenerally speaking, looks and appearance are very important for the Chinese and thats what they base their opinion on in the first place. Of course, your skills and personality will eventually shine through, but longer periods of time might fly before that finally happens

[IvanaShaanxi]

As one of my aquintances put it, a relatively attractive white person with blond hair has 80% chance of getting a job.