Job Discussion Forums

[Eyrick3]

Hello All,

I'm doing research for a friend. We're looking for schools that accept non-native speakers here in China. Issuing a visa is not a must, but a plus.

I've tried running a search, but the results that came back were poor.

Much help to anyone who can recommend a school or two.

Thanks in advance!

[theincredibleegg]

Being a non-native is a bit tougher. It depends a bit on the employer. Some employers want their foreign teacher to be white and portray an image of a native speaker. It's hard to have a job like that and keep your feeling of self-worth intact.

Another type of employer that accepts non-natives are employers who are more serious than the type described above. They do however require the non-native to have exceptionally good English. They usually also require more certificates, experience etc. Since you can't use "native-speaker" as an argument for getting the job, you need something else. These kind of employers won't lie about your nationality.

A third type is the one that wants a native-speaker but can't find one.

There are options for non-natives, but if you want a serious employer then you need more to argue with.

I am a non-native myself and work on a Z-visa in Beijing. So it's fully possible to work here legally as non-native speaker of English.



This is however my impression only. I may have to stand corrected on this post.

[North China Laowei]

[brsmith15]

If your friend isn't too fussy about the school, then his/her best bet is one of the chains like English First (yuk!), Delter-Telfort (double yuk!), Wall Street. Some (read that as few) of their places are better than others, but it's good to check the individual joint out first.

[Ms Bean]

On the university level, it depends upon how desperate the school is, and how prestigious a university the prospect comes from.

I've known some non-native speakers whose command of the language rivaled some American teachers.

I've also seen some FTs whose English was barely intelligible.

Things may have changed since my last time in China.

[kungfucowboy83]

it's the same you may get a non-native teacher with no local accent who has a better knowledge of teaching and learning english and is far better than your average native speaker. On the other hand there are people who can barely read the lesson plan ef gives and have an accent that makes them incomprehensible.

[sharpe88]

Winglish.. the Korean-run school that hires Filipinos...

[Basilm87]

DD Dragon School also hire non-natives, if your english is good enough. However you are 'instructed' to lie about your origin/name to the students/kids/the kids family

[mgafunnell]

they will all hire non natives, you just won't be paid as much