Job Discussion Forums

[Colorblind]

Hi everyone,

I would really like to have your brutally honest opinions on my chances of getting an entry-level job (and a work visa) as an ESL/EFL teacher anywhere in the world except Hong Kong and China (I will elaborate on this later). Here are some background information about me and the circumstances under which I am/will be operating:

Born and raised in Hong Kong, I am a Chinese female in my mid-40s looking for a career change. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from a reputable university in Canada and I studied Linguistics and French for a few years while I was in college so I am quite familiar with the process of second (and third) language acquisition.

English is not my native tongue but I can read and write English at a near-native level and I speak English with a North American accent (these are observations and comments made by my former employers, coworkers, and business associates who were mostly native English speakers from the US, Canada, Australia and the UK).

I have spent the past two decades working in a cutthroat corporate world (mainly in customer service) and am getting sick and tired of it. I have always enjoyed learning new languages and cultures so working as an English teacher in a foreign land really appeals to me.

I am currently contemplating doing a SIT TESOL certificate course in the US to get the basic certification. Before I take the plunge, I would like to know whether this is a wise investment of my time and hard-earned money or a complete waste of time. I am not worried about the quality and usefulness of the SIT TESOL certificate which I know as a fact is one of the most prestigious and recognized programs in the world. I am worried that my not being a native speaker of English and having next to no experience in the field will prevent me from getting even an entry-level job with a livable salary.

I am single so there are no husband and kids to worry about (phew!) and I am a minimalist who enjoys living a quiet and simple life. I will consider working anywhere in the world except Hong Kong and China because I know I don't have a ghost of a chance of finding decent work in my hometown/country where my compatriots value a teacher's looks (preferably young Caucasians with fair skin; you could be from Siberia for all they care) more than his/her qualifications.

I apologize for rambling on and on. Any insights and advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Glenski]

How about helping us pin down a country or two? Where would you really, really like to work?

Doing what sort of teaching?

[Colorblind]

[sojourner]

Colourblind,

Don't give up entirely on China ! I have been teaching in China for 6 years.During my time here, I have come across three "overseas Chinese" FTs ! I have also come across a number of Filippino (sp?) and Nigerian FTs. Admitedly, there does appear a preference for Caucasians, but you'll still have a reasonable chance should the FAO or recruiter who is interviewing you is convinced that you do, indeed, speak with a North American accent ! Forget the language school chains, where there is often a tendency to emphasise the "eye candy" factor with respect to FTs - instead, focus on the uni sector.

In your initial posting, you mentioned that you have are corporate work background. In your search for uni vacancies, take note of unis that have business studies departments. At times, many are looking for FTs who can teach subjects such as Management, Marketing and Business Communication.Other unis might also require FTs to teach Business English. Even if they don't appear to have any current vacancies, you should still send them a copy of your resume.

What exactly is your mother language - Cantonese or Mandarin ? I have heard that in Sth Korea there is a growing popularity in Mandarin classes.Same also in Singapore, where the government is concerned that its mainly Chinese ethnic popuation should become proficient in Mandarin rather than in some dialect.

I can certainly appreciate you wanting to get away from the corporate rat race ! Before coming to China, apart from 1 year's teaching in a secondary school, I had been working in the public service for over 20 years, mostly in customer service areas, ministerial correspondence, etc .Teaching at unis in China is far less stressful, as well as being more professionally fulfilling !

Good luck !

Peter

[spiral78]

Europe wouldn't necessarily be out because of your ancestry - but because hiring laws heavily favor EU member citizens, you'd be limited (I assume you have Chinese/US citizenship?) to Central/Eastern European countries for legal work.

I have a Chinese/American friend who taught in Prague for a few years before moving on to a more lucrative position there in a law firm. She had no significant problems getting respectable teaching jobs.

The drawback is that pay is generally subsistence-level. This means that it's extremely difficult, short of marrying a local, to ever save up enough for major purchases like car/flat.

This isn't useful information for you, but I've just had lunch with my work colleague here in the Netherlands who is Canadian, with Japanese parents. We do laugh that no one expects native English to come out when she opens her mouth...but of course, she is a native speaker - and bilingual in Dutch, on top...her mother has Dutch citizenship, which is why my colleage can get legal working papers here.

Don't discount our opportunities based just on your appearance.

[Justin Trullinger]

Welcome aboard.

I'm glad to hear you're contemplating getting real training- it makes getting started so much easier.

About getting work- in Latin America, where I am, most people to assume that everybody who isn't Latino is an English speaker.

Legit work, yes. Decent work, yes. Necessary visas, yes.

But...salaries are low here, and the economic crunch isn't doing us any favors. There's work, but you'd most likely support yourself, and have a little left over to enjoy yourself. You probably wouldn't save much, if anything.

By the way- what does your passport say? When did you move to the US?


Best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

Do you have a passport from an english speaking country? Then you could go to Asia or Latin America. Some employers in Asia won't hire you, but do you really want to work for those types of people?

It might be hard to work legally in Europe.

Spiral, what's the story behind your friend who's mother is Japanese but has Dutch cit?

[spiral78]

So sorry for misinfo - father is Japanese/Canadian, mother is Dutch. What luck!!

[Colorblind]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your comments and advice. Unfortunately, I do not hold a passport from an English-speaking country (I am a Chinese citizen with a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport) and hence, my apprehension about my future job prospects as an ESL/EFL teacher...

[leslie]

Bye

[Colorblind]

Thanks for the pointer, Leslie. Unfortunately, I only speak a smattering of Mandarin. My native language is Cantonese (a Chinese dialect) which is utterly useless outside of Hong Kong and the Guangdong province of China ...