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Sara Avalon
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 254
Location: On the Prowl
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 Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:13 pm Post subject: New to the Forum. Hello All! |
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xxx
Last edited by Sara Avalon on Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:11 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 9:56 pm Post subject: Post also on the Kuwait Forum |
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Dear Sara Avalon,
I checked the Kuwait forum and didn't see this request for info posted there. It might be a good idea for you to do so; I think your chances of getting a helpful reply would increase. I can't speak about Kuwait, but in Saudi Arabia, the trend seems to be more and more towards not hiring not only teachers who "appear and sound American", but hiring "non-native speakers" of English instead. This could be for a number of reasons, among them, perhaps:
1. The decrease in the number of "Western" teachers who want to go to that part of the world, given the current global situation.
2. Economics (such "non-native speaker" teachers are usually paid less)
3. Pliablity (such teachers are often a lot less likely to raise a fuss with their Saudi employers about many matters).
Regards,
John |
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Sara Avalon
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 254
Location: On the Prowl
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| Posted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 9:07 am Post subject: Thank you, John |
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xxx
Last edited by Sara Avalon on Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:11 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 12:29 am Post subject: |
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| Ultimately, I would like to get some experience before heading out to look for jobs in other countries. Does anyone have any tips, hints, useful insights or suggestions they would like to offer |
As far as Japan is concerned, you are more than qualified right now. Many language schools hire people with no training, no experience, and no background in teaching. Some even frown upon it because they are afraid the teacher will use methods other than the ones the schools want.
What type of school were you interested in teaching at?
And, why the query for non-blue-eyed, non-western-sounding names? |
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Lynn
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 696
Location: in between
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 6:15 am Post subject: |
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I worked at large ESL schools in New York City. Most of the ESL teachers were from Eastern Europe or South America. There were very few native English teachers, and even those who were, not many were Johns and Marys.
I lived in Japan for 4 years and taught ESL there for 3 years. I have an English name, but I don't have the blonde hair/blue eyes look. I have long black hair and medium (okay, thin for US standards) build. I found this to be extremely advantageous in Japan. I could blend in so well and no one could even notice me on the street or shops.
When I was an exchange student to Japan, I dyed my hair blonde. (since my hair is so dark, it turned to a pretty crappy brassy orange look) The Japanese people did treat me differently. I got a LOT more looks, and kids would actually shout, "hello" and some adults would nudge each other and say look at the "gaijin". Funny thing, they all loved my natural "blond" hair, and wanted to touch it.  I told them it was dyed, but since I'm not Asian, it was still more "natural" looking in their eyes. 
I had a friend who was born in raised in West Asia(middle East) but had a British passport. He had a non-English name and look and even accent, but he didn't have any problems. |
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Sara Avalon
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 254
Location: On the Prowl
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 7:29 am Post subject: |
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xxx
Last edited by Sara Avalon on Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 4:58 pm Post subject: culture |
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Sara
Can you explain for those never in the area why Kuwait has been so strange ? I assume that you grew up in Canada.
By the way if you think Kuwait is strange nip over to Saudi for a day. |
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Capergirl
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Posts: 1232
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Lynn wrote: |
When I was an exchange student to Japan, I dyed my hair blonde. (since my hair is so dark, it turned to a pretty crappy brassy orange look) The Japanese people did treat me differently. I got a LOT more looks, and kids would actually shout, "hello" and some adults would nudge each other and say look at the "gaijin". Funny thing, they all loved my natural "blond" hair, and wanted to touch it. I told them it was dyed, but since I'm not Asian, it was still more "natural" looking in their eyes. |
I did the opposite in Korea, Lynn. I dyed my light blonde hair dark brown! There's actually a whole story with it about how it first went green and then pylon orange, but in the end, it was dark chocolate brown. Unfortunately, my blue eyes and other ethnic features didn't help me to blend so well. Furthermore, my students hated my hair brown. "We liked yellow hair more better." Nonetheless, it was fun to shock people.  Did you keep your hair blonde or have you since gone back to your natural dair hue? |
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Sara Avalon
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 254
Location: On the Prowl
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: culture |
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xxxx
Last edited by Sara Avalon on Wed Mar 03, 2004 8:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject: aha |
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Sounds like you are one of many who have had a big shock at seeing an "Islamic" society up close.
I am a bit surprised that you are a Muslim vegan ! I take it you MUST be a Muslim since you have visited the holy sites of Mecca and Medina.
Vegetarians are rare in Islamic societies. Vegans even more so. |
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Lynn
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 696
Location: in between
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:10 am Post subject: |
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| Capergirl wrote: |
| [I did the opposite in Korea, Lynn. I dyed my light blonde hair dark brown! There's actually a whole story with it about how it first went green and then pylon orange, but in the end, it was dark chocolate brown. Unfortunately, my blue eyes and other ethnic features didn't help me to blend so well. Furthermore, my students hated my hair brown. "We liked yellow hair more better." Nonetheless, it was fun to shock people. Did you keep your hair blonde or have you since gone back to your natural dair hue? |
I've had my natural hair color (dark brown) for 5 years now. I dyed my hair off and on from ages 18-24. At 24 I said I was never going to dye my hair again. But I look at my mom who has raven black hair and she has to dye it because the gray stands out too much. I think I might do the Cruela Divel(sic?) when I get to that stage. |
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