Job Discussion Forums

[Jorik]

Hello,

I am a young man (27 years old) from the Netherlands who wants to teach English somewhere far away. I have a Master's degree in Dutch language & general linguistics. In Summer, I intend to take a Trinity TESOL course in Prague. Right now, I am working as a teacher (Dutch language) at a school in the centre of The Hague (intermediate vocational education).

Could anybody tell about my chances, if I want to go abroad? Which countries/schools only hire native speakers (UK-USA-AUS-NZ-CDN passport holders) and which just ask for people with excellent language skills?

[zaneth]

I don't know for sure but I'd guess pretty slim. I guess it'd be a case by case thing and you'd really have to knock their socks off with teaching ability.

The master's should help I suppose but not knowing the local language will be a big strike against you, as there are likely to be highly qualified local teachers of English. If you had other skills such as computers, business, economics, etc. it might help.

Good luck.

[Chris]

I have had a Polish friend teach English in Japan for 1 1/2 years. Her English was excellent, but still had a slight accent. I don't know what channels she went through to get there, but I know she has a Polish MA in English philology. I also have a Polish friend teaching English in Germany, believe it or not. She knocked on doors (her Polish husband was studying for his PhD in Hamburg) and found something. She too has a degree in English philology.

Also, while I was in Poland, I knew of several people from various countries including Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine and other areas who taught English for International House Katowice. They weren't treated wholy as a native speaker, but were still treated as "other than Polish" in the classroom, ie, students still had to speak to them only in English because they didn't know Polish.

If there's a will, there's a way... And it's not that bad...

[Guest]

We have a young guy from KENYA teaching at my School. I find him fairly difficult to understand and his grammar leaves a lot to be desired smetimes.

I think is is definitely possible, but maybe just a little harder.

He came here through a Recruiter and in your case, it may be best to do that also.

I do not know who his Recruiter was, but mine (and another Black teacher from the U.S.A.) was YAKUP INTERNATIONAL. I would not normally recommend that you come with a Recruiter, but it may make the path easier for you. Just bear in mind that most of what he promises you may not materialise and you have to look after your own interests.

The Recruiter should know which Schools would be happy to receive you and which ones would not. Obviously my School is happy to have black or non native teachers here.

Good luck

[chinagirl]

I taught in Ecuador at a small language school. We had a French woman who taught English there. Her English was near-fluent and there was never a complaint. In fact, I would say that her understanding of grammar and linguistics made her an excellent teacher.

Jorik, if you have near native-ability in English, your own experience of having studied and analyzed English could benefit students greatly. Your master's in linguistics sweetens the pot.

The native/non-native speaker issue often comes up on various TESL boards and mailing lists. Opinions vary, but the general consensus seems to be that if the school's DOS, principal or director is knowledgeable about TESOL, you may have a fair chance of finding a job -providing that your are indeed a native-like speaker of English. If the concern is the bottom line, and bowing to the students' wishes and prejudices you may be passed over.

I would look in Latin America, or other countries in the economic periphery. I think you'll find that getting a job may be more difficult, but not impossible.

I would lastly say that I have met non-native English speaking people who have asked me about their chances teaching English abroad, and really didn't have the fluency needed. This was usually apparent after hearing them speak for brief periods of time. In these cases I couldn't really recommend that they look for jobs teaching English, but suggested that they look to teach their own language. It wasn't the accent (which is fine - there are many World Englishes) but their lack of idiomatic expressions and proper syntax.

Finally, if your English is as good as that of the many Dutch folks that I've met around the world - go for it. I've always been very impressed with the accents and mastery demonstrated. Certainly puts us Americans to shame

Good luck!

[nolefan]

It is hard to give you a straight up answer. I would say that a combination of master degree and TESOL would substancially help you in your search depending on how much of an accent you have.

Korea is out of the question (at least officially) but you will have plenty of opportunities in China. I have seen plenty of French, Germans, Italians and Russians teaching at local Universities and other public schools.

[Ludwig]

'Jorik', alle baten helpen, zei de muis, en zij piste in de zee.

Good luck.

[Afra]

Why don't you try the UAE or Oman once you have the Trinity? I know of several non-native speakers, including at least one from the Netherlands, teaching English here. PM me if you want more information.

[scot47]

If you have "near-native competence" you should be able to get something.

Try the UAE. KSA is more dificult because of the visa-issuing policies of the government.

[gugelhupf]

If your post was representative of your spontaneous fluency in English I'd say you were far better qualified than a good many people who post on this forum. My own command of the English language is far from perfect and I don't claim otherwise, but I am regularly astonished at the truly awful English used by a number of non-native contributors - especially when you consider that they are employed to teach others.

My experience of most educated Dutch speakers of English is that their (slight) accent is much more intelligible than, for example, Indian or South African English.

[Ludwig]

'Jorik', I was going to post this to you via a private message (PM). However, upon reflection, I felt that this is, after all, a discussion/help/advice forum and so it may well also perhaps assist others (either now or in the future). For that reason I will also post in English, not Dutch.

As a starting point in your search for germane employment, try:

http://www.nederlandseschoolhk.org/index.html

It was through this group in HK that I was once put in to touch with the following organisation in Singapore, for whom I eventually worked for some 4 years (one of my parents is Dutch). It was excellent; an astounding example of a truly remarkably progressive school system:

http://www.hollandseschool.org/html/home.htm

My only regret is that I had to leave in order to commence my research studies with a topic-specific department at a university and there were no such institutions in Singapore.

You need not despair in not being a 'native-speaker' as, in fact, I rather fancy your chances, (and if I can be of any further help then do not hesitate to ask). You also need not necessarily limit yourself to Dutch/English-language medium international schools; many employers in the 'upper end' of the 'market' in this area of the world are very interested indeed in those who evince 'native-speaker competency' as non-native speakers (for reasons that will be clear).

Buitenkansje, my friend!

[Magoo]

Pm me-I can get you in touch with people.

[khmerhit]

cambodia. try it and see. after a year of amzing experiences in cambodia, emigrate to Australia and start your own business, youll be rich before you know it and yu wont need to teach frigggggggggin english to ungrateful kids for 6 dollars an hour!

trust me!!

[hahahaha]

Jorik
You could get a job in China . I'm a non- native speaker myself . I have serious problems understanding Australians when they speak, but they do get good jobs. It is not so much about being a native speaker or not. It is more about having a good/fair mastery of the language and being a good teacher.

[Roger]

Veteran English teacher Peter Bol, with eight years of working in China under his belt, now back in NZ, was born in NL.