Job Discussion Forums

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

I have an accent from South East England . I am looking at jobs in Taiwan and it has been mentioned that parents at schools prefer American accents. Do you think this will affect me if I get a job in a school ?

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

There is some preference for North American accents but, in reality, it's not that big of a deal. There are plenty of UK people working here and I haven't heard of any facing signifigant obstacles in their job searches. In some cases, a UK accent may be preferential. Overseas study in the UK is also popular and those seeking to go there may wish to study with UK teachers.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

BigWally · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:01 am Post subject:

my school only hires people with "Canadian" or "American" accents....and none of those crazy Southern US accents....they wont even allow a sub to have an accent....so strange....

LKJ · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 57

It doesn't make much difference. Like Big Wally said, some schools have a preference but overall I wouldn't give it a second thought.

Come to Taiwan - it's much better than the UK!

craigzy · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: taichung

babar6789 · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 69 Location: Japan

I'm Scottish and I got a job with Hess, but then again theyre not picky, or so i believe.

There is however a lot of pressure to Americanise my accent, although from what ive seen the ideal American accent that Hess strives for exists only in the minds of the executives.

In my opinion Hess has manufactured its own accent to sell to the Taiwanese. I'm not the only one who has trouble when teaching phonics, my American colleagues do as well.

No idea about other schools but you might want to try Shane if u want to teach proper English.