Job Discussion Forums

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

Talkdoc: I wonder, does speaking with a New Jersey accent really qualify as speaking English? (Stop, drop, and roll!)
My school isn't particularly concerned with a teacher's accent - they just don't want the applicant to look Asian.
The administration isn't against the idea of having a "person of colour" of whatever the PC mot du jour is, but I would be concerned about that person being able to live here comfortably considering that the people of this city have never seen a "person of colour"...live, or probably not even on t.v.

On a separate tack, all this discussion of degrees - official TEFL, TESOL, YADAYADAYADA or otherwise - what ever happened to experience? I came to China to head up a program that was taught in English, but the curriculum was professional design. Because (and I can start a sentence with because!) of my wonderful leadership abilities (not one person died in the 5 1/2 years of my rule {that anyone can prove}) and 'can-do/why not?' attitude, I had several positions (not sexual) to choose from when I switched career paths.
I'm surprised (that I'm not falling asleep writing this - I'm boring myself, too) that so many posters on these forums are replete with years of experience and know-how, that they don't try for a management position. Or better yet, there's so many Chinese that are trying to get in on the private English training/tutoring business, that one can easily tout him/her self as a consultant (what do you call a person who can con people out of their money while insulting them at the same time? A consultant).

Cheers!

Talkdoc · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 696

hesterprynne · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 386

"I'm surprised (that I'm not falling asleep writing this - I'm boring myself, too) that so many posters on these forums are replete with years of experience and know-how, that they don't try for a management position. Or better yet, there's so many Chinese that are trying to get in on the private English training/tutoring business, that one can easily tout him/her self as a consultant (what do you call a person who can con people out of their money while insulting them at the same time? A consultant)."
A QUESTION POSED BY THE PREVIOUS POSTER
I can't speak for everyone, but some may not desire management positions. They may actually enjoy the classroom.

writpetition · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 213

Thanks everyone but I'm still not the wiser regarding universities that will accept a non-white teacher.
Any kind souls around that might know something, please post or pm me. I do need a job that will pay me 5000 or so despite the colour of my skin (not white, not black but a healthy tan Cool

.
Cheers!

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

Okay, Writpetition. Let me ask you this: do you look Asian? Could you handle being the focus of everyone's attention? Could you handle endless comments being whispered about you (in earshot)? I can handle being considered (and talked about) as a dancing monkey/bear. I don't honestly know how I'd handle being called a monkey. Chinese people are simplistic (which gives them the image of being rude or callous). There are institutions that would be willing to hire you - but what assurances do you offer that you could handle a posting in an area that may not, on the surface, seem to accept you?
Case in point: my school had a Filipina teacher. She was shy and reserved (not what the school wants). She looked Chinese (not what the parents of the children want). So, she did not meet the criteria of what a westerner should be like. That's what my school wants - a westerner - who behaves, speaks, and acts according to what they've seen on t.v. (minus the prediliction for violence).

China makes no promises. It can destroy dreams and egos in a heartbeat. If you're not a pioneering spirit who can adjust, tolerate, and persevere...you don't belong here in the first place. Sounds cruel, but reality doesn't play by the same rules we do.

Cheers!

writpetition · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 213

Yep, Sinobear, to almost all you asked. I look Asian (but not Chinese/ Mongol).
I have seen it in the eyes and sometimes heard it on the lips, to carry on with the idiom and have learnt to 'live with it' in my own way. Slowly but surely I have changed the perceptions of my former students and they grew to accept me. Having done that before, with experience on my side, I can do better now.
I haven't danced and fooled around but have bought my students' respect with my work, diligence and intellect.
Please interview, ask, interrogate and examine. If I'm as good as the next guy, be fair - that's all I ask.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

how come that in three posts writpetition made it says "Number of posts: 6"?

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2004 1:11 am Post subject:

writpetition · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 213

Hi again!
it's been a while since my original post where I rued my inability to find a decent teaching job despite some of my apparent strenghts and sought the help of fellow eslers/board regulars. I took Nolefan's (I hope you don't mind my saying this, Nolefan...I mean no offence) advice and applied to a recruiter, disregarding my own reservations on the score and haven't heard even from them.
I wonder if all the kind-hearted eslers have been deluged or swept away under an unkind Asian tsunami of beat-back-all-perceived-competition.
I may not have said 'I need help' but that's the bottomline.