Job Discussion Forums

[vmp0221]

The problem here is that many foreigners (likeTruthhurts and Stillnosheep) have very stereotypical views of South Africans. And probably a very biased and limited view of the world.

Unfortunately, the sick image created by the regimental White Afrikaner who supported, encouraged (and Voted for) apartheid years ago will burden the shoulders of young white south africans for many years to come - and is deserved no more than the burden that young Germans today carry for being nothing more than citizens of the same country that Nazis were 60 years ago.

So to persecute me is not only a demonstration that one is ignorant of the facts, but unfair, and can be likened to persecuting nowaday Germans for the actions of the latterday Nazis.

This shouldn't be a political debate. Rather a contemplation of the current situation. Maybe its useful to note that my classroom of 66 this semester contained 7 white students - but the passion with which i impart my knowledge is as fervent as it always has been.
So the sour grapes, im afraid are not at all relevant here.

Ultimately, white males still need to live and support families. So while affirmative action is very necessary and vitally important for our economy as a whole, it does pose problems for whites.

I dont recall complaining though - on the contrary, rather than sitting on my arse crying about the past and curse my pigmentation, i have tried to do something about it. I have studied considerably further, and am prepared to do so again - so as to CREATE my OWN opportunities, and at the same time, TEACH others. Maybe its a good idea to make space for an previously disadvantaged black person.
So "truthhurts" and all the others against South Africans, maybe you should read up about South Africa, and learn how the Whites in the country have together with the blacks transformed this country into the great place it is.

As for "simpleisbest", stereotyping and classifying some 12million South African Whites worldwide as rascists based on 1 three year old, is very mature and erudite of you!! (not).

How is it after posting those comments you continue to assume that your advice has any credibility. This forum is designed to share knowledge. I'm afraid you've proved by sharing your opinion of South Africans that your knowledge is very limited.
There are forums for people like you. I suggest you find one.
To those who have shared their experiences, i thank you for your comments and advice.

[Truth Hurts]

vmp0221

Let's get a couple of facts straight

YOU!..... brought up race....YOU! ... brought up your pigmentation issues. So please spare us the lectures, and cut the "I'm a nice white guy" routine or "my ex-girlfriend was black" routine or "I once helped out a black man who's eternally grateful to me".....

That kind of stuff seriously boers the titts of me...

TH

[vmp0221]

[simple is best]

vmp.....

You're right, stereotyping is evil and I went over the top. However, my reaction is not based on the behaviour of the 3-year old boy but where that attitude/behaviour came from and the behaviour of the FATHER of the 3-year old boy.

As to the issue of who brang up the issue of race first....... if you can't see that you did then nobody can help you.

What I'd have liked to have seen, if you're as humanitarian a white man from South Africa as you say you are, would have been something like as follows. "I'm a white South African who's disgusted at the racism and discrimination that Afrikaner South Africans have brought to my nation. While I believe in helping my country as an educator, I feel that I need to move and would love to live in more humane nations and work as an EFL teacher, as I love teaching. Can you advise me ....."

Of course, you missed this opportunty some time ago and only now you are looking at venturing forth into the wider world and EFL, due to discriminatory affirmative action policies against white men. This does not reflect well on you and the fact that you included this information in a forum where people live, work and develop strong ties with people of all colours and religions, says much about who you are. Your affirmative action comment was completely unnecessary and irrelevant. The story of the 3-year old was meant to be a wake up call to you, if I overstepped the line then I apologise.

As to the validity of my advice after making my feelings known about your affirmative action comments, I really don't care. I've seen other people make fools of themselves with their comments on this forum and I would still read other comments they've made if I felt they were valid or useful.

[vmp0221]

I have travelled to many countries, and lived in 3 for a significant amount of time. In my travels, one thing that was consistent about foreigners is their failure to grasp the real issues in South africa.
Unfortunately, they continue to believe that the white man in South africa is the evil oppressor, and deserves to be treated with the same disrespect with which his forefathers treated blacks in the Apartheid days.

Another fact, as has been demonstrated in the last few messages, is that foreigners are very biased against South African Whites, and are very quick to make summary judgements. The truth (and it hurts) is that whites South Africans are not respected abroad (generally) because of the Apartheid regime.

Any remark made by a white SA about anything even closely related to blacks is very quicly scrutinised, misinterpreted, and used to label the person "Rascist".
The very term rascist in connotes hatred, and to tell me that i hate blacks is based entirley on ignorance, and is offensive, and disrespectful.

As you can see, i feel stronlgly about this. Affirmative action in South Africa is a daily term. Almost a procedural thing. Have a look at South African Job Sites, and you will see how real the issue is. Some have coined it reverse rascism - others "inclusion rather than Exclusion"...Whatever it is, it poses a problem for White South Africans, but me reference to it, was in no way rascist in nature. The reference to AA was purely based on job market economics, and not to skin colour.
So really people of the world, you have to relax about the rascist thing in SA. Whites are not all rascists and we do not all hate blacks.
Believe me, i have seen more rascism and discrimination in the US than i have in latter day South Africa.

And as for the 3 years old's father, he will be tormented by his disposition for life. Multi cultural communities are prevalent almost everywhere in the world, so he will never escape those he hates!!! But hatred doesnt affect those on the outside as much as it does the person hating...so dont you bother too much about him. He will suffer much more in his life than the woman you referred to.

So in closing, and returing to the issue -You and other forum members - Dont be so judgemental about South African Whites. We are not all rascist, evil monsters.
And when we refer to issues like AA, or "Black Economic Empowerment", or "Employement Equity", or "Historically Disadvantaged Individuals", dont be offended. All of these terms are used in everyday political, economic, business, and social contexts in SA. And most of these terms have been "invented" by the new ANC govenrment anyway.

[younggeorge]

The point about modern S Africa is taken and I've heard similar comments from members of the UAE's S African community, which is now quite large and a pretty good counter-argument to the stereotype. I still think, however, that you would be well advised not to mention it in your job applications because most employers will have the same reaction to it, ill-founded or not, that the respondents on this forum have.

And, more pedantically, if you're going to use the word "racist", it would be better to spell it correctly.

[dmb]

wasn't this thread about various qualifications? See what happens when I try to stay ON topic

[vmp0221]

Dmb, youre right. This IS about certain qualifications.
My question was which certification was better between the Tesol, Celta, Tesl, Tefl...and the reponse seemed to be in favour of the CELTA.
Am i right...?
Would you be able to share your experiences about salaries, cost of living, working conditions, nature of students, and the country itself...?
That and any other info that would be useful to a TESL virgin.

[dmb]

vmp, I am a little bit biased. my training was with RSA UCLES for the CELTA and DELTA, I since went on to tutor on both programs. But I believe that the trinity qualifications are just as good and accepted just as widely.

[veiledsentiments]

vmp,

If you just read about on the board, you will find discussions of all those topics. Not all threads get quite as hijacked as this one did.

VS

[turtlepi1]

[cubbie]

I am thinking of pursuing an MBA down the line?

How has it helped you?

[veiledsentiments]

Same response as I gave on your new thread...

For what?

How is an MBA useful for an ESL/EFL teacher??????? If you have an MBA whyever would you want to waste your time in this type of basically dead-end teaching?

The only use for it would be when you return to your home country... assuming US or UK... you might actually be able to get a real job that will allow you to survive financially...

VS

[Wigwam]

CELTA or DELTA or MA
CELTA gives you a foot in the door of every English and business English teaching institutions in the world
DELTA gives even greater opportunities with most institutions that are serious about education-teaching and learning - it is also to do an MA if your DELTAade is good enough (credits given by many universities) The DELTA is also ideal for working with the British Council for example. The British Council does not recognize an MA as a teaching qualification as they require teachers to have a proven ability. The DELTA is difficult!!
MA is not a teaching qualification but would get you into universities once you had some teaching experience!!
PGCE - K-12 teaching qualification that is acceptable to teach in schools and could get you into another country if you wished to emigrate. It is also recognized by most countries - takes 9 months. You could take it while you were teaching as you need to be observed at least 12 times during the year.
Advice
Do the CELTA and see if you like teaching
Then decide - do you want to teach school, businesses or at University and then perhaps study distance while still working (at your age you shoul;d not take a year out)
Use your MBA as a means of getting managerial experience otherwise it will become a wasted piece of paper.

[Afra]

You could apply to teach business and not bother about an EFL qualification. You could always do one part time later; HCT CERT does it as do some of the Colleges. And have a look at the UAE South Africans web site. http://www.sagroupdubai.com/
You can also PM me.