Job Discussion Forums

[zeebandre]

I am a Canadian citizen but I'm not a native speaker. I came to Canada when I was 12 and speak the language as well as native speakers do. I am currently enrolled in a one year TESL program and plan to do an MA in Applied Language studies next year. I'm wondering whether the fact that I wasn't born in an English speaking country will hinder my chances of finding employment in UAE. I'm particularly worried about the whole birth certificate business. Have you known anyone in a similar situation?

Thanks

[773]

I wouldn't think it would be a problem. I don't think you would need to produce your birth certificate, either...just your passport (which I assume is Canadian?).

[zeebandre]

Hi, thanks for responding. Yes, my passport is Canadian. I thought I read somewhere that presenting a birth certificate is part of the process...

[helenl]

and if you check your passport - it lists your place of birth. However, I don't think it would impact on your chances of being hired, especially after a video conference interview. That being said, I would emphasize on my application that you have native proficiency having been educated and lived in Canada for so many years.

[like2answer]

Doesn't matter at all. In the interview they will listen to you. I have many friends who have English as their second language and teach English. I have friends born in different countries because their families were living overseas. Not an issue at all.

[Afra]

HCT has many non-native speakers teaching English and many of them were not brought up in English speaking countries.

[773]

You shouldn't have to show your birth certificate, only your passport, and even that would only be after you were already hired I would think.

If I were you, I wouldn't bother mentioning that you were not born in Canada or that you are a proficient speaker, as both are completely irrelevant; as someone said, once you are interviewed that will become clear anyway.

[zeebandre]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm happy to hear that this won't be a problem.

[veiledsentiments]

Just a note... this current academic year I heard of new teachers in the Emirates having to provide a certified copy of their birth certificate. I don't know if that was employer specific or part of the 'new rules.'

VS

[adorabilly]

When we came last year, the only birth certificates we had to provide (and have attested) were for the children. At that time, it wasn't for adults.

[cassava]

Your place of birth is irrelevant and should not even be raised during an interview. What counts is your qualification in the subject your ability to teach it.

[veiledsentiments]

[Iamherebecause]

Even if you do have to get your birth certificate attested (and I haven't heard of this) that's an administrative procedure you would have to fulfil after interview in order to take up a job offer.

In the UAE reputable employers such as UAEU, HCT etc are interested in your skills as a teacher and if your qualifications and language skills are good enough at interview hey will take you whether you are a native speaker or not. All the annoying paperwork comes later. You can presumably get rejected at that stage if you don't have the qualifications you say you have, but not, I think, for being born outside an English speaking country.

[smedini]

Could it possibility matter where the OP was born? I'm thinking more politically than linguistically speaking. I'm assuming if he or she was born in Israel, for example, there may be problems in getting work...? Any other sensitive origins that might pose a problem? Any thoughts?

~smedini

[zeebandre]

I was born in Poland.