Job Discussion Forums

Antoine · Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 2

Hello, this forum has taught me a lot so far. I'm new here but have been reading posts for the past few weeks. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Antoine and i'm looking to start teaching overseas soon.

Here is my question. I live in the United States but I am not a citizen. I came here when I was about four or so from France. That being the case I am fluent in english and have no french accent. But I only have a French passport and permanent residency in the US. As I browse some of the job postings many schools want to see a passport or citizenship from the US/UK/AUS which are considered english speaking countries. Will I run into any problems finding work in Korea for example since i don't have a US passport or citizenship?

I pretty much grew up in the states but I am would like to know how the schools would view me. I am looking into getting dual citizenship anyway but that may take a while. Thanks. Smile

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

What matters more is what immigration for a country thinks.

For example, China has no problem issuing a visa to someone with a passport from a non-native English country, whereas Indonesia will only issue a visa to someone with a passport from the US, UK, etc.

It's probably best to create a list of countries you're interested in, and then ask for more info in the forums for those countries.

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

Wherever you go, you are going to have to stress the fact that all of your education has taken place in English in a native English speaking country, despite your nationality/passport/residency. Stress this till you are blue in the face.

tedkarma · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 11:04 am Post subject:

I have to agree with Glenski.

And, even then, you may well be more successful by approaching schools that interest you - in person - so as to demonstrate your facility with English. Not always possible. I would give you an opportunity but there will be schools that won't even think about it.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:

If your English was aquired through immersion, starting at age four, you are, in fact, a native speaker. But what schools may believe is another thing...

I'd check with the places you are most interested in, though dual citizenship would certainly make life easier..

Justin

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Yes you are a native English speaker.

Tell them you are a native English speaker. I mean get on the phone and tell them. When they hear your English they will make up their minds to ignore the technicality of the passport, at least in China.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Get yourself American Citizenship. Use that one when travelling abroad to get a visa. Problem solved (Mostly. I went to get a visa for Korea and the guy was like, 'oh, you weren't born in Canada, but you were born in Great Britain, so that's English speaking at least, right?' I thought to myself 'What a dick!').

Another issue that hasn't been brought up that you should VERY SERIOUSLY RESEARCH is how long you can leave the States for any one time and still return. If you leave for too long (even one day too long), you'll find yourself in France with no right to return to the US without starting the immigration process over.

For example, in Canada, it's six months. I was a permanent resident in Canada from the time I was 2 until I was 29. I got my Canadian citizenship (I retained my British citizenship and now have two passports) because I was about to take a TESL programme and although I really wanted to stay to teach in Canada, I knew that chances were I'd be leaving the country in order to get experience, which is exactly what I did.

If I hadn't got my citizenship before leaving, I would now be a JET who ostensibly teaches Canadian culture as well as English language (but JETs often don't do a whole lot of that- at least overtly- unless they're from the US or a sister city country of their particular town, city or village, or prefecture) who wouldn't be able to return to Canada, and I'd find myself living in the UK as my only offical country despite being classified as a non-resident by the UK and the fact that it's a place I haven't been to since I was a baby.

Antoine · Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for the responses! I am going to look into dual citizenship and will head over to the Korean board to see what my chances are to get into a school without a U.S. passport.

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

You can not teach English in Korea without a US/UK/Australian/Canadian/New Zealand/Irish/South African passport.

Why not get citizenship after so many years? I came to the U.S. in 1988 and became a citizen in 1993. 5 years is the standard.