Job Discussion Forums

Highlander.Mark · Joined: 29 Jun 2013 Posts: 55

Hey guys hopefully someone can offer an insight into this. A guy in my school has a Swedish partner who was all set to come here (Taizhou Zheijiang) only to be refused because a visa she is not a native speaker ?

Has there been a recent change ?

Thanks in advance

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

I don't know that it is a 'change' per se. It may just be her bad luck. China is vast with different provinces, different immigration offices, different officials, different moods. There are so many factors. Maybe who ever had the stamp in his hand just got a talking to from his immediate superior who said he was 'passing' to many people. It could be anything. I once worked with a very conscientious Turkish math teacher (um ... the math wasn't Turkish, the man was). This was in Indonesia at a Turkish school. This man spoke fluent Bahasa Indonesia, had just married and brought his wife over and she was going to teach science at our school. He was popular, enthusiastic and dedicated, but some old grump at immigration arbitrarily decided he didn't like this man's face ... or something. So off he went home to Istanbul with his bride, never to return. Sad

BleedingBlue · Joined: 22 Oct 2014 Posts: 87

Sorry, but there is no reason for non-native-English speakers to teach English (especially spoken English). Students can learn poor pronunciation just as easily from their Chinese teachers.

Dan123 · Joined: 08 Jan 2014 Posts: 112

aussieteacher · Joined: 05 Nov 2014 Posts: 4

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

MuscatGary · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:22 am Post subject:

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

weigookin74 · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 265

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

Before (in Shanghai) anyone from the EU could qualify as a "native speaker" of English, and obtain a Foreign Expert Certificate. This turned out to be too broad, and sadly, they had to draw the line somewhere. I lost a few friends myself when they narrowed the definition Sad

While northern Europeans do tend to speak very good English, this is by no means guaranteed. Besides, I doubt if the old man working at SAFEA even knows where Sweden is.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

I find the Dutch have great English.

This is a work and non work situation. I play one game online, have for years, and find it true. Northern Europeans and Dutch can speak, write, read English at a native level. When dealing with French, Italians, Portuguese, or Czechs, Polanders, it is different.

Yet the same people can speak well. Language is a funny thing. Some can do it right away some take time. I remember learning Chinese, so easy, but for some so hard.

BleedingBlue · Joined: 22 Oct 2014 Posts: 87

Going retro in the research department you'll find that the whole concept and/or phrasing of 'native speaker' and authorized 'countries' has been hard-coded for YEARS !!!!!!! Hardly new.

The Voice Of Reason · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 492

Are South Africans, according to China TEFL, regarded as native English speakers and legally hired as such? I recall a time when they were not accepted, but now it's fine it'd seem.

3701 W.119th · Joined: 26 Feb 2014 Posts: 386 Location: Central China

UK (and Eire), USA, Canadian, New Zealand, Australian, and South African passport holders are all deemed 'native speakers', as far as I'm aware.

Maratilim · Joined: 07 Oct 2014 Posts: 2