Job Discussion Forums

[sinitta]

Hello everyone!

I found about this blog while writing my dissertation in May 2010. I really enjoy reading your comments and advices (sometimes sarcastic, sometimes funny and most of the time very helpful).

As I mentioned before, I am non-native speaker with EU passport and BA in English as a foreign language (graduated university in UK). However, my dream is to become a teacher and I am already planning to do CELTA at ITI this August... but just planning.. I am not sure if it worth doing Celta in my situation?! Can I find a teaching job being non-native speaker?

I've been living in the UK for the last 7 years and now I am working as interpreter (this job is not for me). I feel that it is time to change something in my life and teaching job would be something I am thinking about. I also would like to say that I've been to Istanbul many times and I am in love with this city.

I really need to understand what my chances are and I cannot do that without your help. Do you think it is silly to have this dream to work abroad? Can I pass Celta being non-native speaker?

Please, give me your wise advices or criticize me.

Thank you for your help in advance.
Sinitta

[coffeespoonman]

Hi Sinitta,

Of course, it will be more difficult for you, being a non-native speaker, but it is totally possible. I won't lie, unless you go hardcore and gather as many credentials as possible (DELTA, M.A., publishings, etc.), the top jobs will probably be off-limits to you, but if you're only concerned at the moment with entry-level stuff (language schools), you should be able to find something.

Of course, you'll probably have to lie to students about your nationality - the reason that these schools can charge so much is that they've imported a real, live NATIVE SPEAKER! If students find out that you're really Spanish, or Lithuanian, or whatever, they'll feel ripped off. I've worked with French, Germans, Iranians, Greeks and Russians who all did this, and even though some had quite an accent, the students never really caught on.

So, yes, come. Follow your dream.

Oh, and yeah, you can totally pass CELTA as a non-native. In fact, I'd wager that most of the people in the class with you will be non-native (at least they were in my DELTA class at ITI).

Good luck!

[TwinStarLA]

A couple of non-native English speaking colleagues of mine used to work in China. When they left China, the school let them know that they would be welcomed back should they ever wish to return to China. This teaching couple was also offered jobs in Vietnam. I don't know about Turkey, but I do know that a career as an English teacher abroad can definitely be an option for a non-native speaker. It seems to help if you're blond and look very "Western." Lots of luck.

[Whitepearl]

Dear Sinitta,

I would really like to encourage you to go for it!
One year ago I was just like you, a non native speaker considering TEFL career abroad and wondering whether a degree from UK and a CELTA certificate would open the doors to at least entry level teaching positions in Turkey.
I took my CELTA in London this time last year. Now I live in Ankara and successfully teach English in a private language school. I had attended quite a few interviews at other language schools and colleges here in Ankara before I accepted this job position, and my nationality (Lithuanian) was never a problem for employers, as from what I have observed, Turkish people tend to use terms �native speaker teacher� and �foreign teacher � interchangeably, and as long as you have any degree from a university in an English speaking country and a CELTA certificate, you shouldn�t have any difficulties in getting a job in Turkey. Also, I never had to lie to my students about my nationality; instead they are very curious about my background!

Best of luck!

[sinitta]

Dear Coffeespoonman, TwinStar and Whitepearl,

THANK YOU!
Thank you for your time and encouragement. My application with ITI is already in process. Hopefully it will be successful.

Coffeespoonman, you are a legend and I am one of your fans I am Lithuanian (Hello to Whitepearl), but if I will need to lie... I can be British

Whitepearl, I am very happy that you are doing well! That is very inspiring, ACIU.

Best wishes to all of you.