|
Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Astronamix
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 6
|
Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 4:34 pm Post subject: Opportunities in Asia for a non-native speaker? |
|
|
I'm from The Netherlands and I want to start teaching English in Asia next September for at least a year. I can use some advice. I know China would be a good place to start teaching, but as I haven't decided yet which country in Asia I want to go to, I am considering countries like South Korea, Japan and Vietnam too.
Here's my concern. Often, when I am looking at the job descriptions, I come across the requirement: "Must be a native speaker with a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or South Africa." I only hold a Dutch passport, so I wonder how to go about this. Is this a strict condition set by the government of the country? Or is this just a requirement from the language school itself, to make sure the level of English of their teachers is good enough? In other words, can I get a work visa for an English teaching position with a Dutch passport? I already know China will still be a possibility, but what about Japan, South Korea and Vietnam?
Then a question about the preparation period. First of all I think I will do the IELTS test, just to be able to show my command of the English language is good enough for teaching. I also have the possibility of taking the CELTA course before leaving, but I read a lot of times that this course isn't very helpful in Asia. What do you think? The other option would be to just start teaching first and if things work out well, do the CELTA with after a year of teaching experience.
Alright, one more question: what do you think would be a nice city/school to start?
Last edited by Astronamix on Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
|
Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 6:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You state you only want to teach for one year. Then focus on China since it's likely your best bet for securing work. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US
|
Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: Opportunities in Asia for a non-native speaker? |
|
|
Astronamix wrote: |
I'm from The Netherlands and I want to start teaching English in Asia next September for at least a year. I can use some advice. I know China would be a good place to start teaching, but as I haven't decided yet which country in Asia I want to go to, I am considering countries like South Korea, Japan and Vietnam too. |
For info about Japan, I'd recommend the following threads:
Non-native English teachers in Japan?
Indonesian citizen wants to teach English in Japan
Quote: |
Here's my concern. Often, when I am looking at the job descriptions, I come across the requirement: "Must be a native speaker with a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or South Africa." I only hold a Dutch passport, so I wonder how to go about this. Is this a strict condition set by the government of the country? Or is this just a requirement from the language school itself, to make sure the level of English of their teachers is good enough? |
It depends on the country. In some cases, it is a legal requirement for a visa as an English teacher. In Japan, I don't believe there is a citizenship requirement, though there may be requirements about the language in which you received your education, depending on visa type (see here for info on visa types in Japan and their requirements).
Quote: |
I also have the possibility of taking the CELTA course before leaving, but I read a lot of times that this course isn't very helpful in Asia. |
While it is true that a CELTA is not required for many positions in Asia, you're already going to be at a disadvantage in terms of hireability due to English not being your first language, so anything to boost your resume will be important. If you are serious about teaching English abroad, I'd recommend doing the CELTA. If teaching English is just something you want to try out to see if you like it, go ahead and apply for jobs, but know that you will be at a double disadvantage being a non-native English speaker with no formal training.
You might also be interested in TEFL Equity Advocates and TESOL International Association's Non-native English Speakers in TESOL Interest Section. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1450 Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 1:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
I recently saw an ad for a school in China requesting teachers of any nationality with C1 level of English. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Shanghai Noon
Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 2:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
OP: what kind of education do you have? You might have a chance in China. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Knedliki
Joined: 08 May 2015 Posts: 160
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 5:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
With a TOEFL/IELTS (don't know what score you need ) and a degree you could work legally in Thailand. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Astronamix
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 6
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 6:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for your advice. Even Thailand seems to be an option now!
Quote: |
OP: what kind of education do you have? |
I have a BA in Philosophy and finished a Master's programme in Culture & Organization. The latter was entirely in English. Because I had the plan of teaching English abroad before, I'm also in possession of a TEFL certificate (online, 120-hr). Although the TEFL course I followed some years ago involved a practice weekend, I don't see how an online certificate will help me much being a better teacher in front of a classroom.
Quote: |
While it is true that a CELTA is not required for many positions in Asia, you're already going to be at a disadvantage in terms of hireability due to English not being your first language, so anything to boost your resume will be important. If you are serious about teaching English abroad, I'd recommend doing the CELTA. If teaching English is just something you want to try out to see if you like it, go ahead and apply for jobs, but know that you will be at a double disadvantage being a non-native English speaker with no formal training.
|
Ok, I have to be honest here. I find that hard to tell, whether I am serious about teaching English abroad. It is hard for me to tell whether or not I am still teaching within five years time. It is like this: if I do not start teaching at all, I certainly will not be teaching by that time.
Considering the CELTA: I'm thinking of doing the course in an English speaking country, preferably part time, for that would really add to the overall experience and gives me the opportunity to work on both my teaching skills and my English language skills. Any suggestions for good locations to do so?
Last edited by Astronamix on Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 7:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
Astronamix wrote: |
Ok, I have to be honest here. I find that hard to tell, whether I am serious about teaching English abroad.
....
Considering the CELTA: I'm thinking of doing the course in an English speaking country, preferably part time, for that would really add to the overall experience and gives me the opportunity to work on both my teaching skills and my English language skills. Any suggestions for good locations to do so? |
It's certainly unclear why you want to teach EFL. You might think hard about that before sinking around 1300-1400 GBP for a CELTA course in an Anglophone country, especially since you plan to teach for just one year.
The CELTA is the same course structure and curriculum regardless of where it's taken. As for course info and locations, visit Cambridge English for CELTA providers in English-speaking countries. You'll have to determine which location best suits your budget. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Astronamix
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 6
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 9:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
I actually wrote in my Original Post the following.
Quote: |
...for at least a year |
So I don't really get why you mentioned twice now that I want to teach English for just one year. Like a lot of other things in life, it starts with one year, right?
Why I want to teach EFL? I just think I am the kind of person that likes being abroad, because I learn a lot that way myself too. Teaching seems to be a good way to do so. I've been travelling quite a bit in my life and met quite some EFL teachers in different countries, they gave me a fair idea of what it is like and I think the lifestyle suits me.
Last edited by Astronamix on Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:23 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Shanghai Noon
Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 11:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: |
I have a BA in Philosophy and finished a Master's programme in Culture & Organization. The latter was entirely in English.
|
Where did you get your degrees? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Astronamix
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 6
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 11:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
I got my degree in Amsterdam. To attract more international students, many universities in The Netherlands have curricula in English these days.
Last edited by Astronamix on Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:13 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Shanghai Noon
Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Then I am afraid China might be problematic. Many provinces in China now require that applicants be educated in native English speaking countries. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Astronamix
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 6
|
Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 2:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: |
Many provinces in China now require that applicants be educated in native English speaking countries. |
Which provinces exactly? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
In the heat of the moment
Joined: 22 May 2015 Posts: 393 Location: Italy
|
Posted: Fri May 06, 2016 5:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
Astronamix wrote: |
Quote: |
Many provinces in China now require that applicants be educated in native English speaking countries. |
Which provinces exactly? |
I imagine the answer will not be clear, and will be out of date soon. One way to find out is to apply for jobs, even better would be to actually be in the area and speak to recruiters and schools in person. There's a shortage of EFL teachers in China and having a warm body and ability to speak English is a minimum requirement, the advertised minimum is for publicity purposes. The last time I worked there, in a very good and popular boarding school, a colleague had the 'right' passport but no degree or CELTA. He'd previously worked in another school in a very unpopular area, then found a better job by word of mouth. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Astronamix
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 6
|
Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 2:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: |
One way to find out is to apply for jobs, even better would be to actually be in the area and speak to recruiters and schools in person. |
That would be an interesting way of doing it, just going to the area and speak to recruiters and schools in person. I might just go there, to see if there are opportunities for September. I am just a bit worried that when I do that, and get a job offer, I will have to go back to my home country to get the formalities done, like obtaining the documents for the work visa. I'll find out.
Anyway, I'm pretty confident I will find a school that wants to hire me.
I have a rather clear idea of what to expect now too.
I am taking the necessary steps soon Z
Thanks for your advice!
Last edited by Astronamix on Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|