Job Discussion Forums

[hlamb]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of coming to Asia, probably Korea or Japan sometime in the next six months to look for an ESL job. Before I come, I'd like to get some idea of local attitudes towards employing people with disabilities. I am visually impaired-I don't drive and I wear glasses and contact lenses. However, I read regular print, have excellent mobility and in fact most people who meet me would have no idea that my vision is less than average. Do you think this will affect my chances of finding decent jobs in Asia? Do employers have more prejudices against those with disabilities than those in North America? Anyone with any experience or knowledge about these questions, I would appreciate hearing from you.

A bit about me: I have a four year Bachelor of Journalism and History degree in Canada, experience travelling in Europe and working at a school in England (where I did informal ESL with one student). I've got quite a bit of other experience teaching life skills, rehabilitation and communication skills to kids and adults and have also worked in the media.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

[khmerhit]

All right Hlamb, I'll have a go. You might not like it.

To generalize,

People with disabilities don't really get a fair shake in most of Asia.

They are rather low on the totem pole.

From what I can tell, and I may be wrong, the Buddhist religion hasn't much time for the lame and the halt, not to mention the mentally ill. They must have done something wrong in a previous life, you see, to have turned out this way in their current existence. They are weak and morally inferior.

BUT------ if you are a foreigner, you've got money and status and power, and your disability is barely noticeable....well then, no problem.

As i say, please correct me if I'm off the mark here.


sincerely

kh
ps -- try to get some training before you start---celta, tefl etc
[/i]

[daily chai]

Getting a TEFL cert first is a good idea. WIth a TEFL and BA you are very employable. If you wear contact lenses with glasses perhaps it's not obvious that you have vision problems (no bottle glass lenses). Can you read and write on a whiteboard/chalkboard too? Will you be able to grade your student's homework, or look on their papers in class to see if they are filling them out right? I taught convo in Taiwan and Korea, but once a year I taught an intensive summer course that involved some grading. You might be able to legitmately avoid teaching such a class, or grading papers because of your vision. But you might have to get someone else to grade them for you--remember, for my schools that was only a summer class.

Teaching does not call for driving ability. You can take public transpo or go on foot to work. In many places public transpo is excellent, better than my native US. Check Lonely Planet or other guides for details on each country.

HTH!

[shenyanggerry]

Why call yourself impaired? You read regular print. Many of us wear glassses. If you ignore it, probably your employers will too.

That being said. What CAN"T you do that a 'normal' person can?

[hlamb]

Thanks to all who replied.

I am blind in one eye and have no dept perception and have restricted distance vision in my one eye. The main thing I can't do is drive. The reason I'm concerned about employment in Asia is because of the number of times i've been turned down for work in Canada, due to the fact I don't drive (note that this is for jobs where driving is not part of the job description). I don't want to show up in Asia and find out that no one will hire me. But since most people just meeting me would not know I see any less than anyone else with glasses, I'm hoping that as daily chai said, it shouldn't be a problem. And yes, I can see well enough to grade papers, write on chalk boards etc.

I'm living in a small town in Canada and was thinking of taking a tefl type cert online. Does anyone know of any good ones?

Thanks for all your help!

[shenyanggerry]

Hlamb, I can't speak for anywhere but where I was in China. There I only met one ex-pat with a Chinese driver's licence. He only drove for recreation on his motorcycle. Everyone else relied on taxis and busses. Not having a driver's licence won't be a problem in China.

Good luck.

[Guest]

Hello

I am currently living and teaching in China and when I went for my medical exam 5 months ago I was paranoid because I have had one lung removed in 1989 and I thought they may freak out (mainly because of SARS) but in fact, apart from asking me "when did you take one lung out?"
they did not seem as concerned about that as they were about my poor EYESIGHT.

I am virtually blind in the left eye and do not see all that well out of the right one. I had not even given that a second thought as I have been like it all my 57 years! I thought it was quite funny actually, but they did pass me on the medical anyway and I hope to be here for at least 2 years.

Should you have any questions, you can contact me on.

[email protected]

Good luck