Job Discussion Forums

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

[quote="ls650

What kind of a job do you want? Do you want to be stuck teaching at a cheap little private language school in Jakarta, Beijing, or Istanbul?

Yes, that is the spirit.

[/quote]

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

MoggIntellect · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 173 Location: Chengdu, P.R.China

I only have experience in the great motherland of The People's Republic of China, but here there are far more positions than people, so often they have to "settle" for someone less qualified. When you see advertisements for positions, they often state what they want... but that in no way implies that is what they get!

That being said, you will have some difficulty going to some countries, such as Japan and Korea I believe, because the government sets a standard for visa issuance, that teachers must have a BA.

I think you may find some resistance to your question in forums such as this. I think most career TEFL teachers despise the notion of the backpacker and the "under-qualified" teacher... especially if they roll into town and pull in the same wage (as is common in China, contrary to the public opinion here that you will be stuck in a horrible job!). So pay no heed to some people's venom!

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I think that a BA is not enough. I feel one must also be able to spell the word "enough".

All kidding aside, if you have a simple BA in geography and you are competing with someone else with a simple BA in geography and they have a TESOL or CELTA, chances are you won't get that yummy job.

Skin colour is another unfortunate example of how some schools (at least in east Asia) can be seen as "unfair" by some. A black guy with a masters in English from Harvard University stands no chance at getting a job in China when set against a white 23 year-old high school drop-out from the middle of French-speaking Quebec.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

It's probably unfair, and definitely unfortunate, but requirements for jobs in many areas are not the same for native and non-native English speakers.

Basically, though, the world is crawling with CELTA or TEFL certificate bearing natives. I would definitely consider a highly qualified, competent seeming non-native for any position I had on offer, but if the qualifications are going to minimal, I guess I would want the guarantees offered by hiring an actual native. Hiring a minimally qualified non-native would seem like a pretty bad bet. So no, I don't think you'll have an easy road, OP.

But you might try getting in touch with French cultural organisations, where your native language could help you. If you want to make it teaching English, I think fuller, more comprehensive training would be in order.

As far as your friend in Spain goes, I�m not surprised. Standards at institutes in Spain are extremely variable- but don't count on being that lucky everywhere. Especially if you want to get around the world, you'll find a lot of countries that you want to see have degree requirements for visas.

Good luck,
Justin

PS What's your west-end restaurant? I know the area very well...

PPS If you haven't worked it out, Is650 was pointing out that it should be "mistaken for British." Otherwise it sounds a bit funny...

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378