Job Discussion Forums

[Kaysera103]

Hi there,
I'm new to this site but it was recommended to me by a friend. I am a TESL major minoring in INTL Studies. I am curious about the obstacles faced by female teachers abroad and which countries needed the most adjusting/brought the greatest amount of culture shock.
Is there anyone who can talk with me about their esperiences?
I am looking for challenges faced by differences in general, not just negative ones though they may be included.
How are women treated differently in the countries where you have taught and how did you cope?
Sincerely,
Kay

[moonraven]

Precisely which countries did you have in mind?

[Guy Courchesne]

Hi Kaysera103,

I think you've chosen a great resource to get your answers! If you haven't already, try posting this in the forums that correspond to particular countries you are more focused on. You might net a few responses from people working there that don't post in the General Forum.

My guess? Middle East forum...um. and now I'm stuck, where else?

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

If you feel you need to widen the scope of your essay, you could look at the flip side- being male and trying to get a job teaching ESL in Canada, Ontario in particular.

It might end up being a kind of a history paper, though- teaching being seen historically as a woman's profession (there are many essays written and published on this in Canada) compared with other countries. In Japan, or example, it's not (although in the elementary system there are still far, far more females than males- but just from my own small area and my knowledge of elementary schools in Ontario, I would say that there are more male elementary teachers in Japan than Ontario- elementary school ends at grade 6, then they have junior high).

I agree, post your original post in the country that you are thinking of.

[denise]

What are your questions?

d

[Kaysera103]

Thank you for your willingness to share.
I would first of all need to know where it is you are from and where it is you have worked and how women's rights differ between these cultures.
Did you have any restrictions on what you could wear, who you could talk with, where you could go and did you need male accompaniment? Were you excluded from certain places or events or from decision-making processes that concerned you?
Did you experience any discrimination in the form of lower salary or a lower position (worse hours than male counterparts for example) or difficulties with management trying to take advantage of you?
Did you have any problems with sexual harassment, either verbally or physically from students, co-workers, or locals?
Well, those are the biggest things and a good place to start.
Anything you can fill me in on would be helpful. Thanks again.
K

[talawanda]

You could look at the flip side- being male and trying to get a job teaching ESL in Canada, Ontario or in the USA.