Job Discussion Forums

ruudkez · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

Hi there!

I am fully qualified as an EFL teacher in my own country (Netherlands, BA) and I would like to teach abroad for a couple of years. However most of the schools seem to hire native speakers only. Is there anyone here who can help me? Maybe give me some pointers or additional information. I would prefer teaching in southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece) and I have some experience in the field of ESL. Please contact me if you can help me.

Thanks a million!

Ruudvanhooijdonk
[email protected]

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Since you have an EU visa you just have to find an employer willing to hire you but why would they want to hire a non-native speaker from the Netherlands. They can find someone fluent from their own country.

From what I have heard, China offers the most opportunities to teach EFL for non-native speakers.

Chris_Crossley

ruudkez · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

As part of a traineeship I spent 4 months living and doing ESL work at a school in Glasgow. However that period is not quite long enough to acquire an accent. My main problem is I lack an accent. I don't have an overly Dutch accent nor do I have a British accent. At my school I was trained in RP. 1 advantage I could think of when it comes to teaching. as a non-native is that I had to acquire the language myself so I am familiar with the whole process. Furthermore I think my fluency is sufficient, especially when it comes to teaching lower level classes.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

ruudkez · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

I am not eager to accept my faith. Although you are probably right. I still think I have enough to offer. The Greek being Greek and all will never aquire a a nice accent. And I think I am a better teacher than most native speakers whitout a degree. So I still have some hope. Thank you for your time and information.

Many Thanks,

Ruud

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

My University in China wouldn't accept you . My girlfriend found it pretty difficult to get work in China as a non native speaker . Perhaps that was just where we were as others seem to think you'll be ok . I don't really think being Dutch matters myself . You've been through the learning process as you say and as long as you are interested in the whole learning process and how it affects your students then I'd say you'll be as effective if not more effective than many native teachers I've met .

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

ruudkez · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

I think you missed my point. I was not trying to be all cocky and claim that Dutch have better accents and Greeks are ignorant and will never reach such a high level of English. The point I was trying to make was. With the fact that people in an EFl environment will never aquire a nice accent (we have EFL too) meaning they learn English in school and go home to their parents and speak Greek, go to the supermarket and speak Greek, etc. Why should it matter if they are taught by a native speaker or a non-native speaker? Sure the accent is a plus, but the Greeks themselves will not acquire this accent unless they will live in an English environment for a couple of years at least. And I dare say being trained in EFL Education and having received it myself I know the rules of the English language. In our course ->' " I don't know it just is like this" or, "it sounds right to me", just doen't cut it. We've had to learn the rules for everything. Therefore I think I will be a better teacher than a native without a degree. Ok there is still the fact that Greeks have their own teacher to consider. Ok they have a big plus as well considering they all speak Greek. So there you have me. Maybe Native speakers and greeks are both better than me, I don't know I still have hope...