Job Discussion Forums

[Cochese]

Hello friends, I am graduating this March with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies minoring in Communication and Psychology from one of the top universities here in the Philippines, and I have been seriously considering teaching ESL abroad. I would prefer Latin America, but I wouldn't close the door on any other opportunities in Asia. I have a few serious questions, where any help will be appreciated.

1. Do employers hire non-native speakers? English is an official language here, after all, and I have been speaking it all my life, so would this be an issue with prospective employers? Perhaps this is the biggest stumbling block I see in pursuing ESL, at least for my case, because everything stems from this question.

2. Is certification absolutely necessary? Because if employers don't tend to hire non-native speakers anyway, I don't see a reason to spend that much for certification.

3. Could I still pursue the international school route, with these in mind? I plan to pursue a master's degree somewhere down the line, if it's any help...

As of now, I plan to teach English in a school setting....I'm also considering working with Berlitz in their office here, in order to save enough.

Thanks!

[Justin Trullinger]

attitudes towards hiring non-natives vary from place to place and school to school.

In general, you could say that the options are out there, and but that they aren't as numerous as if you were native. The usual and unfortunate prejudices may apply, but they can be overcome if you REALLY want to.

In a TESOL certificate course I taught in Korea recently, one of my trainees was Filipina- she seemed to have no troubles getting work in Korea, and in fact in much of Korea, pretty much everyone who isn't ethnically Asian is considered "foreign," and therefore assumed to be English speaking.

Worth noting, though- she had Korean residency through her marriage. I personally don't know what the attitude of Korean immigration officials is towards issuing visas to teach English to citizens of "non-native" countries.

Here in Ecuador, it would present some barriers, but if you're spoken English is as good as your written English, you could get past them easily enough. (Sadly, it wouldn't hurt if you happen to be tall and fair.)

I would recommend a good qualification, though. It's not insuperable, but your nationality isn't going to do you any favors- a good qual will level the playing field a little. (In Ecuador at least, and I suspect most of Latin America. Don't really know about other places.


Best,
Justin

[MO39]

[Justin Trullinger]

Label as you will, they clearly stand out in Korea.

Best,
Justin

[MO39]

So which nationalities do Koreans consider to be "ethnically Asian" and therefore not native speakers of English? What about Korean Americans? Do they have a chance of working as English teachers in the land of their forefathers and mothers?

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

People with passports from the Philippines have a hard time teaching English in Japan. Filipino people who have emigrated to the US or other 'major' English speaking nations (UK, Australia, Canada, NZL) can still have a bit of an issue, but much, much less.

I do know people from the Philipines who teach English in Japan, but honestly, they weren't getting paid as much BECAUSE they were from the Phillippines (this was by a public Board of Education).

[Cochese]

Thanks for all the responses, they are all appreciated. For now, I think it's worth a shot applying - after getting my licks in schools here, and getting certification. Peace to all.