Job Discussion Forums

rogerp · Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Manila

I am starting a TESOL program in the Philippines. However, I am informed by a Taiwanese businessman that ESL schools in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan are only interested in hiring native speakers of English - "white, hairy, big-nosed Americans, British, Canadians, etc.," as he put it. Is this true? Or do schools in these countries also employ non-native English speakers, possibly at a lower wage? Any feedback would be much appreciated, and particularly references to schools that would be interested in Philippine teachers, who are not only excellent English speakers but also more culturally attuned than N. Americans (for example) to the Asian way of life.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

The fact is that there are more TEFL jobs than "white, hairy, big-nosed Americans, British, Canadians, etc." who are interested in living in a foreign country working for less than scrupulous employers for less than ideal conditions for more than a year or two.

Thus, many schools have to hire who they can get. Phillipinos stand a decent chance in some countries, but I would say that there are already too many of them in Thailand.