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sharter
Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:24 pm Post subject: Euphemisms in TEFL recruitment |
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Good local salary=you might not have enough cash to eat.
Basic accommodation=it's a shithole.
Within walking distance of the school=forget us providing you with transport or an allowance.
Tax free salary=we don't care about where you are tax domicile; it's your problem mate.
In a region known as 'Little Switzerland' (this is often used by Language Link)=It's a coal mining region with sulphur dioxide meters on the streets.
Free Chinese lessons=we know you'll give up after a week.
The local beer is tasty and cheap=we want funny entertainers not teachers.
Free internet access=we've really got no good selling points you dumb newbie |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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Not from recruiters, but from TEFL certification websites, on pages relating to working in Western Europe for non-EU citizens (paraphrased, though if anyone wants to see originals, I can take five minutes and find quite a few examples):
'Once certified, you simply need to obtain a work contract from an employer in the country of your choice and from there it's simple to apply for work visas.'
It's impossible to get a contract without a visa, of course.
'You are eligible to work on a tourist visa.'
NOT!!  |
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Sashadroogie

Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 11061 Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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Even worse, "You can work on a Business/Commercial Visa". It's worse because it's half true. You can work (for a foreign company that is sending you to the host country on a business trip) for up to three months legally... |
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johnslat

Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Sasha,
And in Saudi, which has started bringing in teachers on so-called "business visas," even this isn't the case:
"You can work (for a foreign company that is sending you to the host country on a business trip) for up to three months legally..."
because NO foreign company is sending you to the host country. ANY work you do in the Kingdom on a "business visa" is illegal.
Regards,
John |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, I wonder why it it so ubiquitous, from TEFL cert courses to dodgy schools, that people are urged/led into illegal status????
It's tough enough to be in a foreign country where one may not speak the local language well enough to negotiate if problems arise, without the huge added risk of being there and or working there illegally!!!!!
!!!!! Overemphasis because this particular issue seems very serious to me, and has come up over and over and over, with even some posters here urging others to go for illegal situations!!!! |
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denise

Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:17 am Post subject: |
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spiral78 wrote: |
Actually, I wonder why it it so ubiquitous, from TEFL cert courses to dodgy schools, that people are urged/led into illegal status????
It's tough enough to be in a foreign country where one may not speak the local language well enough to negotiate if problems arise, without the huge added risk of being there and or working there illegally!!!!!
!!!!! Overemphasis because this particular issue seems very serious to me, and has come up over and over and over, with even some posters here urging others to go for illegal situations!!!! |
Your overemphasis made me think of another thing that might fit this thread!!!!!!!
"Come live and work in exciting/exotic/beautiful/etc. country x!!!!!!!!!!!" = the job sucks, so we have to hope that the promise of pretty beaches, etc. will be enough to lure you in!!!!!!!!
d
(Oh, and illegal teachers=slaves with no ability to fight back if they are taken advantage of.) |
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sharter
Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:06 am Post subject: erm |
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'We are an equal opportunities employer....please send a CV, copies of certificates and passport photo'.=We don't want fat, black, ugly or old people. |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:20 am Post subject: |
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Flights paid = you get your money back- in local currency and at an inferior exchange rate - if you renew for a 2nd year
The best one and the one I like most is 'Paid Overtime' ..... which gives the impression you are obliged to do overtime. What's more, as though people should do overtime and NOT get paid for it ? Hilarious !
And must be ........
1. Flexible - willing to be exploited
2. Culturally sensitive = willing to leave his dignity in the arrival hall and collect it on the way home
3. Tolerant = willing to put up with beep working conditions
Has anyone ever actually filled in these application forms where you have to answer some ridiculous question like "Describe a time when you worked together with a colleague to solve a problem. Desribe what part you played in the process."
I mean, come on, who are these people who waste their time both writing these nonsensical questions and, frankly, who on earth should spend time reading the answers.
Where are the good ol' days when you applied for a job, went for an interview and, just a day or two later, heard whether you were successful or not.
And where did these '2nd and 3rd interview' and 'you have been short-listed' ideas come from ? Like these people get a real kick out of putting applicants on tenterhooks for a while. Ooooh, how exciting. These people would like to think TEFL is akin to some branch of nanotech.
Best,
Basil  |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:20 am Post subject: |
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Flights paid = you get your money back- in local currency and at an inferior exchange rate - if you renew for a 2nd year
The best one and the one I like most is 'Paid Overtime' ..... which gives the impression you are obliged to do overtime. What's more, as though people should do overtime and NOT get paid for it ? Hilarious !
And must be ........
1. Flexible - willing to be exploited
2. Culturally sensitive = willing to leave his dignity in the arrival hall and collect it on the way home
3. Tolerant = willing to put up with beep working conditions
Has anyone ever actually filled in these application forms where you have to answer some ridiculous question like "Describe a time when you worked together with a colleague to solve a problem. Desribe what part you played in the process."
I mean, come on, who are these people who waste their time both writing these nonsensical questions and, frankly, who on earth should spend time reading the answers.
Where are the good ol' days when you applied for a job, went for an interview and, just a day or two later, heard whether you were successful or not.
And where did these '2nd and 3rd interview' and 'you have been short-listed' ideas come from ? Like these people get a real kick out of putting applicants on tenterhooks for a while. Ooooh, how exciting. These people would like to think TEFL is akin to some branch of nanotech.
Best,
Basil  |
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naturegirl321

Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:41 am Post subject: |
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guaranteed job placement: we'll give you a list of schools to contact.
make twice as much as local teachers: it'll take at least a couple months to scrape together enough to pay for a ticket back home. |
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naturegirl321

Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:45 am Post subject: |
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basiltherat wrote: |
Has anyone ever actually filled in these application forms where you have to answer some ridiculous question like "Describe a time when you worked together with a colleague to solve a problem. Desribe what part you played in the process."
I mean, come on, who are these people who waste their time both writing these nonsensical questions and, frankly, who on earth should spend time reading the answers.
Where are the good ol' days when you applied for a job, went for an interview and, just a day or two later, heard whether you were successful or not.
And where did these '2nd and 3rd interview' and 'you have been short-listed' ideas come from ? Like these people get a real kick out of putting applicants on tenterhooks for a while. Ooooh, how exciting. These people would like to think TEFL is akin to some branch of nanotech.
Best,
Basil  |
I think the BC or Bell has some of those questions. I'm pretty sure the BC did at least a couple years ago when I was looking at applying. |
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Sashadroogie

Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 11061 Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:46 am Post subject: |
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The BC specialises in this. "Describe a time when you put an adviser's feedback into action and positively affected behavioral outcomes?"
Puke!!!
Hic! |
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AGoodStory
Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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spiral78 wrote: |
Actually, I wonder why it it so ubiquitous, from TEFL cert courses to dodgy schools, that people are urged/led into illegal status????
It's tough enough to be in a foreign country where one may not speak the local language well enough to negotiate if problems arise, without the huge added risk of being there and or working there illegally!!!!!
!!!!! Overemphasis because this particular issue seems very serious to me, and has come up over and over and over, with even some posters here urging others to go for illegal situations!!!! |
From this treasure chest of misleading information: www.diyexpat.com
"Want to live and work in Europe? It's never been easier for non-EU citizens." (Insert appropriately lavish punctuation here.)
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gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Actually, I wonder why it it so ubiquitous, from TEFL cert courses to dodgy schools, that people are urged/led into illegal status????
It's tough enough to be in a foreign country where one may not speak the local language well enough to negotiate if problems arise, without the huge added risk of being there and or working there illegally!!!!! |
Actually, it is not just the TEFL industry that does this. I remember when I was living in Taiwan, a fellow I knew who worked for an advertising firm was ducking in and out of the country. The company did pay well, and paid for the visa flights (including hotels). Well known customers he dealt with too, I guess the company felt it was too difficult to get the work visa.... |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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Max 8 students per class = we have classrooms the size of broom cupboards
Air-conditioned classrooms = there are fans
Native Speaker teachers = Backpackers
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"Describe a time when you put an adviser's feedback into action and positively affected behavioral outcomes?" |
lol. Uhm ....I'll get back to you on that one.
Best,
Basil  |
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