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yb713
Joined: 15 Sep 2013
Posts: 36
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 Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:52 pm Post subject: Finding work in East Asia as a Black American Muslim... |
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When I apply I hope to have a bachelor in philosophy and a four week CELTA certification. I'm also aware that ethnicity and appearance can influence hiring as parents prefer Caucasians with western names. English is my first language and I was born in America. I am an African American and Arab, Muslim male and my name is Arabic.
Last edited by yb713 on Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:13 am Post subject: |
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The title of your thead is very generic and has been asked and answered a gazillion times within these forums. Maybe change it to something like "Countries where black Americans can teach?"
You might take a look at "Opportunities for African American Women" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=53249). Also, don't limit yourself to a couple of Asian countries. For example, I have several black friends who taught EFL in Korea for years without any issues. Do Internet searches on Seoul Sista and black teachers tefl asia. For TEFL in SK, go to http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/ to view and participate in the discussions. You'll need to register to post your comments/questions. |
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sigmoid
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 1276
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| Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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In general you don't apply to a country (except for maybe Brunei?) but to the schools.
You don't mention a preference for what kind of country you would like to live in, but, actually many of the countries in Asia are predominantly Muslim. These include:
Afghanistan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Brunei
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Malaysia
Oman
Pakistan
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Tajikistan
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Some are mixed: (Northern) India, The Philippines
Many of those are in the Middle East and are on a separate forum:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/index.php?c=7
Many of the Middle East countries are oil-producing (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, etc.) and can offer very attractive salaries + benefits. It could be worthwhile to look into teaching there.
Other Muslim countries in Asia are quite war-torn/dangerous/undeveloped (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Syria, etc) and may be crossed off the list.
If you're not so keen on the Middle East and the desert, there is Malaysia (forum: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewforum.php?f=60), Indonesia (forum: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewforum.php?f=10) and Brunei in lush and tropical Southeast Asia.
Also, Turkey seems to have many teaching jobs (forum: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewforum.php?f=22)
Other Asian countries (Taiwan and Japan) though are well-known for their bias against "black" people and you should especially avoid Myanmar (Burma) as there has been recent very serious violence against Muslim communities and people.
If you would like to live in other parts of Asia, China has a BIG demand for language teachers and as mentioned Korea is possible and also, BIG demand for some reason (go to the Korean forum to discuss it though).
Some other countries are having economic slowdowns (Thailand, Viet Nam, etc) or are still developing (Laos, Cambodia, etc), demand is not so high and/or salaries/benefits aren't great.
The best thing would be to figure out where you might want to teach and then do your research to see how possible it is.
Remember that there are many kinds of teaching from kindergarten up to corporate classes and that if you're not happy with the country you start out in, you can always move somewhere else pretty easily. |
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yb713
Joined: 15 Sep 2013
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for my lack of specificity, I assumed that because I was not posting in the Middle East forums, those countries would be ruled out. I'd actually prefer to work in the Middle East, but I've read that a job is difficult to come across with no experience. Additionally, I've always been keen on East Asia so I'd rather gain experience there as opposed to South America or Europe.
"Other Asian countries (Taiwan and Japan) though are well-known for their bias against "black" people and you should especially avoid Myanmar (Burma) as there has been recent very serious violence against Muslim communities and people."
I'm aware of this, but thanks for the advice.
"If you would like to live in other parts of Asia, China has a BIG demand for language teachers and as mentioned Korea is possible and also, BIG demand for some reason (go to the Korean forum to discuss it though). "
This actually contradicts what I've read, that Chinese and South Korean (despite the demand) parents are the most choosy regarding who teaches their kids. Its good to read encouraging things about working in these countries.
"Some other countries are having economic slowdowns (Thailand, Viet Nam, etc) or are still developing (Laos, Cambodia, etc), demand is not so high and/or salaries/benefits aren't great."
I didn't know this, ill consider it in applying.
"You might take a look at "Opportunities for African American Women" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=53249). Also, don't limit yourself to a couple of Asian countries. For example, I have several black friends who taught EFL in Korea for years without any issues. Do Internet searches on Seoul Sista and black teachers tefl asia. For TEFL in SK, go to http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/ to view and participate in the discussions. You'll need to register to post your comments/questions."
Thanks for the links, I'll check them out. |
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sigmoid
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 1276
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:21 am Post subject: |
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| I'd actually prefer to work in the Middle East, but I've read that a job is difficult to come across with no experience. |
Yes, it may be difficult but give it a try. Requirements can vary from country to country and job to job.
This is the ESL Cafe job board: http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
There are countless other ones, some of which are country-specific.
| Quote: |
"If you would like to live in other parts of Asia, China has a BIG demand for language teachers and as mentioned Korea is possible and also, BIG demand for some reason (go to the Korean forum to discuss it though). "
This actually contradicts what I've read, that Chinese and South Korean (despite the demand) parents are the most choosy regarding who teaches their kids. Its good to read encouraging things about working in these countries.
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Your other source may be more accurate. Actually, I've never been to either of those countries but they do know that they have BIG demand. Perhaps you can overcome it with professional appearance and positive characteristics.
Also, attitudes may be changing now that the US prez is half African-American and many of the music, sports and entertainment celebrities are "black".
Hip Hop culture is so hot in East Asia now.
As the other poster "nomad soul" mentions "I have several black friends who taught EFL in Korea for years without any issues. Do Internet searches on Seoul Sista and black teachers tefl asia."
So, again - be positive, check it out and don't forget about Malaysia and Indonesia |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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| sigmoid wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I'd actually prefer to work in the Middle East, but I've read that a job is difficult to come across with no experience. |
Yes, it may be difficult but give it a try. Requirements can vary from country to country and job to job. |
I wouldn't suggest the Mid East for someone with zero experience and an unrelated BA; the likelihood of getting an entry-level TEFL job is slim. Morever, for the Gulf---Saudi Arabia in particular---those with very minimal qualifications end up working for the sketchiest of contracting companies that are only interested in getting a warm body in the classroom to replace another teacher who couldn't leave fast enough. And being Muslim won't make the work situation any better.
Stick with Asia for that first teaching job. |
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nightsintodreams
Joined: 18 May 2010
Posts: 558
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| Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 3:21 am Post subject: |
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Other Asian countries (Taiwan and Japan) though are well-known for their bias against "black" people and you should especially avoid Myanmar (Burma) as there has been recent very serious violence against Muslim communities and people."
I'm aware of this, but thanks for the advice. |
I've met lots of black teachers who work in Japan or South Korea. Most of them will tell you they're doing just fine. I have heard some of them complain about racism, but the things they complain about sound very similar to what I go through. I think many black people (Americans especially) come to Asia with a lot of baggage from back home.
A black friend of mine was stopped by police twice in one year while living in Japan. He'd posted about it on Facebook, giving the impression that it was a racial attack on him because he was black. Now, in the past 9 months, I've been stopped on my bike eight times by police in Japan, but you won't hear me complaining that it was because I'm white. Perhaps it was because I stand out and am a foreigner (I'm a 6 ft tall big white guy), but I don't believe it was because I'm white. Many of the black guys will always assume anything bad that happens to them is related to their skin colour.
Another example, a African American girl I knew who worked in South Korea once had her hair braided. The principle said to her "I like your curly hair", and she became overly offended and made out like it was a racial slur. Now firstly, the principle was talking in English (she was too lazy to learn Korean after all), if you've had any experience of learning a foreign language then you'll realise that words like 'curly' or 'braided' are pretty advanced stuff and often when speaking a foreign language you go with the best word in your vocabulary. The principle was trying to be nice by paying her a complement in her language and she fobbed it off as racism.
Basically, I don't know what it's like to be a black guy living in Japan or South Korea, I can only speak for myself and my own experience, but just be careful what you believe. I know black guys who are perfectly happy, have good lives and careers, speak Japanese, are popular and have a girlfriend or wife. |
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wander&teach
Joined: 15 Nov 2009
Posts: 126
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| Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 7:08 am Post subject: |
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| Come to Turkey. You will be a Rock Star! |
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seattlechaz
Joined: 13 Feb 2012
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 6:03 am Post subject: Re: Finding work in East Asia as a Black American Muslim... |
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| yb713 wrote: |
| When I apply I hope to have a bachelor in philosophy and a four week CELTA certification. I'm also aware that ethnicity and appearance can influence hiring as parents prefer Caucasians with western names. English is my first language and I was born in America. I am an African American and Arab, Muslim male and my name is Arabic. |
African American in Beijing
over 50
no prior TEFL experience, but a adult education & training background
Got a great job with an excellent employer on my attempt. Took the CELTA in Beijing from a local provider with 20 years experience. I actually had an offer from the CELTA contingent on completing the course. When I went to resign from my present employer (contract had technically ended, so I was of a mind to move on to teaching adults ...), they sweetened the pot sufficiently that I signed on for another term.
I'm now in the final stage of the Trinity Certificate in International Business English Training. I asked for and got a job with the same university teaching Business English starting next month. I didn't even have to interview for it.
In short; my employer has been respectful, supportive and professional. "Every time I thought I was out, they PULLED me back in!" Don't be dissuaded from China. My kids love me. The parents love me. My employer likes me and pays me on time.
Be polite.
Be professional.
Have a plan to exploit every bit of training and varied experience that you can.
And if you're interested, send me a PM: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lpkjex5mcszzhwr/BFSU%20English%20Teacher%20advertisement.txt |
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