Job Discussion Forums

esteraki · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

Hi everyone, I am a dutch girl who's considering following a TEFL course and teaching english around the world. Now I've heard already that in Japan it's very difficult to get a work permit when you're not a native speaker. Now my question is this: is it possible to get work as a TEFL teacher anywhere when you're not a native speaker? My english is absolutely fluent and I suppose in a personal interview I could convince an employer of my qualities, but will they even consider me for an interview?
It would be a waiste of time and money to take the TEFL course and never be able to use it, wouldn't it? Hopefully someone in the field can shine a light on my problem, Thanks a lot!

svenhassel · Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 188 Location: Europe

i'm working at a university in poland and there are two native speakers here from "non english speaking" countries one being from india the other liberia so i think a dutch girl could fit in somewhere.

i also know a german girl who has taught and is probably still teaching english in london with an accent. i can't say she has a great job however, one of these visa factories serving the chinese aparently.

any road, good luck

S

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Heya, another Dutchie here.

I've been working in China for a while now, and it's been great here. We can get jobs in most countries by far. I think Japan would be possible too, but I've got no first-hand experience there, so I'm not too sure.

Korea is a good one though, and so is Taiwan.
As long as you have a BA degree at least, and having a TEFL plus some experience definitely helps. Make sure you get letters of recommendation from previous employees (as well as your TEFL course).

The only major drawback from being a non-native English speaker is that online applying for jobs is much harder. It helps lots if you call schools directly or stop by in person.

G'luck
Dajiang

svenhassel · Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 188 Location: Europe

i think the dutch generally speak english as well if not better than most "native speakers" apart from the odd accent, but then again all native speakers have accents

however, i can imagine DOS's not being aware of this so you should go ahead with the course and apply for jobs directly or at least via telephone.

S

isanity · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 179

I've come across non-native English teachers in China and Thailand, but they've always been at places which couldn't get any native English-speakers. Realistically, you're always going to be restricted to the low-end jobs (and most TEFL jobs are pretty low-end to start with).

khmerhit · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:05 pm Post subject:

I know a country where they adore woman teachers--and if you have a qualification that would help too (persoanlly i recommend the CELTA) this country is called

cambodia--try it and see Cool

Tina23 · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Dusseldorf

Hi there,

I'm not a native speaker either (German) but have just got my first teaching job in Riga/Latvia. So it is possible to get work when you're not a native speaker! I did, however, do A-Levels in England and went on to uni in Glasgow before completing the Trinty CertTESOL this year.All in all, I've spent 8 years in Britain, and my English is completely fluent, with a Glasgow accent Laughing

It totally depends, I got rejected from a school in Poland cos they said it would be too much hassle sorting out a work permit. But I had other offers where I asked specifically about my German passport, whether that would be any problem, and they said it wouldn't.

So, I would say: go for it!
Good luck and keep us posted!

Tina

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

It IS difficult to get a job in Japan without a passport from an English speaking country. About 95% of Japanese people have no idea whether someone is a native speaker of English or not other than their passport though.

I know several French Canadians, most of whom are passing as (pretending to be) native speakers of English, even one with an accent so strong that people who don't know French have a hard time with the person's English.

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

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

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

isanity · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 179

Tina23 · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Dusseldorf

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

isanity · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 179

Germany has imposed transitional arrangements which mean that Poles don't have an unrestricted right to work in Germany. Perhaps Poland 'reciprocated'.