Job Discussion Forums

the_viking · Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Norway

Having understood that you may get a teaching job without a degree but with a TESOL certificate, how are the chances for getting a job as an English teacher if one neither has a degree nor is a native English speaker? I do, however, really like the language and would like to take a course in the future, and then go on to teach, perhaps in Turkey. Does it sound like a plan, or would it be easier to get a job in that country as for example an electrician (which is the education I take now)?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Non-native speakers from Korea, Germany, and France are eligible for working holiday visas, providing that they fit the requirements. This allows them to be ELIGIBLE for work in some countries. Whether an employer sees you as QUALIFIED is up to them. You'd better have a very good command of English to pass muster.

bayabule · Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 82 Location: East Java Indonesia

It also depends on the country's idea of what an native speaker is. If you want to teach legitimately then you need certain visas and work permits usually provided by the school. eg. in Indonesia I'm told they don't recognise people with Irish passports as native speakers, which of course they are. So with a Norwegian passport you may have problems there. But i don't know about Turkey and I'm sure you can probably get round it if you don't need to be "legal"
I do know of non-native speakers getting EFL certificates if their English is good enough. But they mostly seem to go on to teach in their own country.
Good luck

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

...but as a Norwegian you enjoy the rank of speaker of virtually-native English. Most Scandinavians actually are extremely competent in teaching languages, and enormously gifted for this job.
Try, and you will be rewarded in some country.

bayabule · Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 82 Location: East Java Indonesia

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Turkey would be difficult as the Ministry of Education requires a teaching qualification and a degree. The non native thing I'm not 100% sure about but a few years ago I tried to recruit a qualified Nigerian teacher. He wasn't given permission because he wasn't a native speaker. He didn't speak any language other than English!! I think this case might have been a racist beaurocrat who didn't know any better.
In saying that I know many non native teachers living in Turkey. They teach privates or at companies usually

Alyallen · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 5

I guess I am kinda jumpstarting this thread but if anyone can answer this question, that would be great.

I have a friend from Bulgaria who wants to teach english abroad. His english is great (he was taught it from the 4th grade). He attends my college in the US and is getting a double major in fine arts and philosophy. I would think all his accomplishments(he has a GPA over 3.0 and he is a resident assistant) would give him a good shot of finding a job...but am I just being overly optimistic?

Any response would be well appreciated...

AlyAllen

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Where is he thinking of looking for work?

GPA means nothing in many countries (including Japan, where I work), and many places don't even know what that means. Being a resident assistant (dormitory staff?) also won't count for much as far as teaching goes, although it does indicate some level of English proficiency to be able to interact with native speakers in such a setting. I wouldn't bother putting this on a resume, though.

Many places in Japan won't accept non-native English foreigners unless they have had 12-13 years of formal education in English. That't not to say your friend has zero chance in Japan. Just fairly low. Berlitz always jumps to my mind when people like this want work here.

Alyallen · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 5

Thanks for the reply Glenski.

To answer your question, he is thinking of working in S. Korea. I believe that he has had 11-12 years of formal english education. I can see how GPA wouldn't matter but you don't get good grades and have no comprehension of the english language, but that is just going by my logic (And my logic has no say in hiring decisions).

I know there is a Berlitz company in Korea. Perhaps it is affiliated with the Berlitz company in Japan? I will let him know.

Thanks for your candor, Glenski.[/quote]

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

luck of the draw, mate!

Some places won't care, other will! You'll have more chances in China, Cambodia or Laos.... don't bother with Korea!

Alyallen · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 5

Thanks for the head-up Nolefan.

Here's the update...me and my friend have been talking to a recruiter who knows my friend is Bulgarian. He is currently looking into the matter for us and will let us know in the next day or so.

This does remind me of something. Before me and my friend even thought of going to South Korea, we went to the korean consulate website and the korean immigration website and I found no mention of a requirement of being a "native speaker from a certain country." I would like to know where people got their information in regards to native speaker status and I guess you could call country preference (US, Canada, Aus., England, New Zealand and South Africa).

Thanks,
Alyson

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Some time back a recruiter from Hong Kong was regularly advertising in Bulgarian newspapers for Bulgarian Teachers of English. I spotted this in "Trud" and in "24 Chasa".

Salaries offered were significantly lower than for teachers from "native-speaker-countries".