Job Discussion Forums

jerrycomo · Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 15

It's about 90% spoken, 100% understood, one can detect a slight accent.

Will employers care?

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

Depends on where you want to go, here in Mexico, no, it won't matter in any of the language institutes, even the better paying ones, they are always short of teachers. And perhaps having learned English yourself will be an advantage as you will have some insights into how learning of a new language takes place.

jerrycomo · Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 15

[quote="TeresaLopez"]Depends on where you want to go, here in Mexico, no, it won't matter in any of the language institutes, even the better paying ones, they are always short of teachers. And perhaps having learned English yourself will be an advantage as you will have some insights into how learning of a new language takes place.[/quote]

Phew! Very Happy

Isla Guapa · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:52 pm Post subject:

jerrycomo · Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 15

How about in South American and Asian countries? Is perfect spoken English required?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

In China I met a man from Ghana who spoke heavily accented English, he taught middle school; also a Pole who had a "discernible" accent, but he was also fluent in Chinese.

jerrycomo · Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 15

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:56 am Post subject:

jerrycomo · Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 15

I'm from Canada, is that a foot or two in the door?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

You're from an English speaking country. That will help. I'm assuming your first language is French?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 7:49 am Post subject:

For some countries/employers, you are in fact a native speaker.

Not really, but...for visa and employment purposes, "have Canadian passport" is actually one definition of native.

Best,
Justin

Mrs McClusky · Joined: 09 Jun 2010 Posts: 133

Well. You had better be a good teacher because if you are only soso you will be open for negative stuff and a probable sacking.
Just how it is.
I am guessing Frech is your first language.
Do you think the French would want to learn from a person who didn't speak the language correctly.
If you don't mind kinder garten, go for it. I personally would think hard before offering a job to you. If you go to Thailand and you are white and smile alot, they won't care for government schools............ But the top places won't be interested.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:22 pm Post subject:

Dear oh dear. If that were true, how many native English speakers would remain in gainful employment?

Jerrycomo, I say go for it. I've worked with countless non-native teachers, all of varying teaching ability and command of English. Exactly the same as the posters on Dave's.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:12 pm Post subject:

Don't be so hard on the kid Mrs McClusky! Wink

THe OP's question was about language ability-
I think that most of us here would agree that very advanced non-native English speakers can make excellent English teachers. All we know about the OP is from his or her postings, but if we take them at face value, I'm assuming we're dealing with a high level speaker.

So...Language level isn't an issue, imo.

NAtionality would be an issue in some cases, for some countries and employers. Not usually in this case, though, as the OP is from what's generally recognised as an English speaking country. (Rightly or wrongly by region, but it is.)

In terms of how good he or she will be in the classroom- hard to say with a newbie. But this is a newbie board!

If I were considering an application from you, OP, I'd be much more interested in (or potentially worried about) your qualifications than your accent.

Best,
Justin