Job Discussion Forums

[mihabarboric]

My first visit to Dave's cafe and my first question.

I'm about to finish my BA in English (a bit late at 26, but having a full-time job besides going to University makes it all a bit harder). In a year or two I intend to make a TEFL certificate, probably CELTA, as my current job has nothing to do with teaching. Upon checking various teaching posts around the world I noticed, that there are many countries where schools insist on employing natve speakers only.

What countries am I most likely to get a job in as a non-native speaker? And how easy it is?

I can easily get a teaching job with a BA in my country, but I'd like to experience how it is to work abroad. I'd like to get as much information as possible before investing in a CELTA or something similar.

[4nic8r]

Telling us your nationality might be of some help.

Welcome to the forum...

[mihabarboric]

Oops!

I'm Slovene.

[Teacher Lindsay]

The only Asia-Pacific country that I know of that permits the employment of English teachers from 'non-native' countries is here in China.

In Thailand and Indonesia, it's not enough to have a passport from the U.S.A., Australia, Britain, etc. Your place of birth must be a 'native' country.

Cheers

[mihabarboric]

Well that's bad news then. I was hoping that Indonesia wouldn't be a problem (especially considering the poor level many English teachers in Indonesia have).

[Stephen Jones]

Even if your English was almost indistinguishable from that of a native speaker it would be exceptionally difficult to get a visa for you. A native English speaker has things a non-native teacher of the language doesn't, but you would be hard-pressed to prove to immgiration that you did also.

If you want to travel you've chosen the wrong subject to study.

[mihabarboric]

I perfectly understand advantages of native speaker teachers, but still it doesn't seem fair. I've been to Indonesia last year and visited quite a few classes on voluntary basis - I'm sure I could give those children so much.

[mihabarboric]

BTW Doesn't CELTA prove anything in this case?

[naturegirl321]

SOme schools will hire only native speakers, others will hire non-natives. I say, send your CV out and see what happens.

[Teacher Lindsay]

In Thailand and Indonesia, the law prevents anyone from a 'non-native' country from getting a work permit as an English teacher. Check out the job ads!

In Thailand, some schools employ Indian and Filipino teachers ostensibly to teach Hindi / Tagalog (that is what's specified in their work permits) but have them teach English. However, I've never heard of this happening in Indonesia.

Also in Thailand, there are quite a number of English teachers (of all nationalities) working without work permits. The are a good many language schools that offer below-par salaries and are prepared to employ teachers who lack proper credentials.

You won't have a problem securing employment in China (at least under the current conditions).

Cheers

[gugelhupf]

Immigration regulations in Indonesia state that only nationals from Australia, Canada, NZ, UK and US will be employed as EFL teachers there. Even native speakers from the Irish Republic are ineligible.

It's tough but that's the law. Just as anyone under 26 will not be issued a working visa as a teacher in Malaysia.

[Roger]

The hiring of so-called "native English speakers" is a window-dressing exercise to maintain the illusion of professionalism.
It's not necessary, and it doesn't benefit learners one way or another except the few who have an exceptionally good English command.
Then again, many native English speakers are not up to scratch in the teaching field.

So I for one don't agree that our Slovene friend should be discriminated against.

But he may take consolation from the fact that anglophones here in Asia get hired to run boring and counterproductive English "conversation" classes, often with too many students crammed into a single classroom.
That certainly is not teaching as he understands this word.

[mihabarboric]

Thanks for the moral support Roger. Unfortunately you don't represent Indonesian government.

Like I said before I've been to several classes in Indonesia, some in Java, some in Sulawesi. I saw what the situation is like, but I'd still like to try it.