Job Discussion Forums

[mskana]

I am of African origin, and I have spoken English as a native language since birth. I have several qualifications and I have tefl/ tesol, but sadly my passport, and skin colour is not accepted in most countries looking for tefl/tesol qualified teachers, especially Asia. Europe has its own teachers or people they would rather employ first. Canada, the Americas also have their people and visa restrictions. A bit unfair ,seeing that iIam the perfect example of how people can speak English no matter what origin, an importance inthe basis of teaching English? Sad ,really really sad.

[Deconstructor]

As far as your color goes, I sympathize; as for your passport, it applies across the board. It doesn�t matter where you're from, you can't work in another country unless you have a special permission, a working visa. A few years ago I as a Canadian was able to work in Germany without much trouble. Now it is almost impossible for a Canadian to teach there. That's the way it is.

[distiller]

I think what the OP is probably referring to is that many without EU and North American passports are made to go through much more rigorous visa regulations and checks than those with them. Believe me, the guy from Zimbabwe is getting a much more thorough going over than a Canadian and many times nationals of certain countries are flatly prohibited from gaining work visas in certain countries.

Racism is definitely present in TEFL as racism is present in society. Unfortunately, it is difficult to enforce anti-racism laws in many countries as usually racism d�jour is by means of omitting rather than slandering or attacking.. Most of the non-white teachers I know in Asia are either ridiculously well trained so they still get jobs or they are stuck with something because they have no freedom of movement in the job market.

[Travel Zen]

Asia has more problems than just race.

In China, if you are asian, even with a EU or N.American passeport, you my find it hard to get a tesl job. All asian countries are looking for their ideal english speaker.....a causcasian. Preferably a woman.

Same as Korea and Japan.

Many of these countries discriminate against each others nationality as well. Many Japanese friends of mine in China have a hard time working there and Koreans and Chinese have it difficult in Japan.

Race plays a part, but it's also politics.

[Deconstructor]

I've always argued that the last thing that a teaching candidate must have in the world of TEFL is teaching qualifications. First, you'd better be from an Anglophone country; second, you'd better look like you're from an Anglophone country; third, you'd better sound like you're from an Anglophone country. In other words, the world, especially Asia, has a bizarre fetish when it comes to the West, and even more bizarre idea as to what it means to learn a foreign language. No wonder that 90% of them will never go past a low intermediate level in their lifetime.

The world of TEFL is one full of incompetent "teachers" and even more incompetent learners. What a joke overseas teaching really is!

[Moore]

I sympathise with the O.P. and there is definitely a racist side to their problem: they are being discriminated against. It�s not only an Asian thing - I�ve seen it happen to my English colleague in Paris who happened to have an Indian family background.
I did however experience a different side to this when I was advertising for a Spanish teacher, when several of those who called were South Americans: I have very limited cash and time and want to learn "proper" Spanish, and my decision to go for a "native" Spanish speaker was not based on racism, but a wish to learn the original standard version with a Spanish-Spanish accent. I suppose that in the end language teaching is a business and it�s the person who pays the wages who gets to choose what exact type of accent they want, whether this is misguided or not.

[Stephen Jones]

[JZer]

[JZer]

[Justin Trullinger]

It's a sad reality that English teachers have to come from the "white" place at the "white" time in order to work in many places...but I find that this is less and less true, depending on the quality of the institute you're working for...

Some countries have an overwhelming love affair with the "hollywood look." But in truly reputable higher learning organisations, this seems to be less true.

I am, as it happens, about as white as a sheet, and I suspect in some countries this has enhanced my image. But I have had colleagues of varying ethnic backgrounds, and most haven't had unusual problems with students- just the same problems we all have. It seems to me that it is school owners, often more than students, who continue to reinforce the same tired old racist attitude. But I admit I've never been in Asia...

Just my two cents worth,

Justin

[High Plains Drifter]

[Stephen Jones]

[High Plains Drifter]

[ElNota]

In Korea, as well as Japan, it is possible to find work if you are Black or Asian. I am here in Korea right now, and have met African Americans and Asian Americans who are currently employed as English teachers. That doesn't mean that blacks are not discriminated against, or that a white face isn't preferred, but there are plenty of schools willing to hire teachers of all races, as long as they are native speakers and their passport is from the US, UK, NZ/AUS, or South Africa.

This is a legal thing, as there are certain requirements for obtaining a one year work visa in Korea (not sure about Japan)... and one of them is having the right passport. I'm sure that if you came here, you could find work, but it would be working illegally to the best of my knowledge. So, unfortunately Ms. Kana, you're out of luck. It certainly seems unfair to you, and I sympathise.

To be honest, unless you have really thick skin, I wouldn't think it would be worth the daily aggravation and stress brought on by being subjected to a culture which is very openly rascist. I know some that handle it quite well because they are secure with themselves, but I think I would go loco...

[Roger]

If he grew up as an English speaker then for heaven's sake, what is his nationality?
Africans can emigrate just as Asians do; with a passport from a New World country they are better off although they still are confronted with some form of anti-black bias. Still, many blacks do succeed in securing themselves a job as teacher; many others pursue other lines of action.

One understandable rationale behind what at first looks like race-based discrimination is that China as other third-world countries want to avoid being swamped by citizens from other third-world countries. While I am totally sympathetic to the OP's cause, I would like to draw the attention of everybody to the fact that China has recently seen an unhealthy influx of aliens that live here and engage in activities not compatible with their status as "business people" or "teachers".
I find anti-African racism by Chinese absolutely untenable but if the present tendencies continue then natives from certain African countries are reinforcing xenophobic reflexes!
Wander down Huanshixilu or Taojinlu in GUangzhou, and you will also wonder what these aliens are doing here!