Job Discussion Forums

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I've been doing a lot of research on different countries and training programs. I'm curious as to why so many, including the IH CELTA training, ask for a photo.

Is it to get an idea of professionalism, beauty or Caucasian features or is there another reason?

Just how important are good looks to ESL teaching?

I'm asking because in Canada photos are not required for jobs at all, well with the exception of acting and modelling I guess.

Just curious.

hlamb

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

there have been a few threads about this already. The short answer is that they just want to know if you look the part of a westerner. The more you do, the easier it is to sell the parents on the idea of putting their kids through the school

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I think there's also that occasional issue about the wildhaired, tattooed teacher candidate whose tongue piercings affect his work...................

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

And for a less cynical answer:

Photos are a part of the normal application process in many countries. They are used to ensure that the person who shows up to the job is actually the person that they interview. I know someone who runs a company in trhe Middle East and when the company was being set up photos weren't required. Sometimes the person who showed up for the interview (and hired based on it) was not the person who arrived to do the job. (but yeah, in the ESL setting they are often used to weed out qualified applicants on the basis of appearance).

They are also a necessary part of getting a visa.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

The original poster brings up two different things (without realizing it... I think...).

Originally he talks about why TRAINING PROGRAMS like CELTA courses would require pictures, but later goes on to make reference to EMPLOYERS. It seems to me like a school should be happy to let YOU pay THEM money no matter what you look like, however if they are employing you as a teacher they obviously have the right to ensure you look professional (and even "Western" if they feel it is necessary).

I am going to take a CELTA course with IH Barcelona, and for the life of me I couldn't think of any good reason for them to want two photos from me... it didn't bug me, it just confused me.

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

At my university they just used photo's so they could learn everyone's name more easily... I suspect that's why a CELTA course would want one... though any conspiracies are welcome!

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

Thanks for the replies. I understand that providing a picture is standard practice in many countries and I'm OK with that. I can't expect every country to follow the same hiring procedures as in Canada. However, I'm still curious as to whether good looks, as opposed to western looks, are important.

hlamb

Varvian · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 29 Location: New York, USA

Here's my two cents.

I'm studying abroad and the university wanted four pics of me for different school ID's.

laodeng · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 481

In China, it's simply a matter of reassuring themselves that you are (1) Caucasian, and (2) not too long in the tooth.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Hondo 2.0 · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 69 Location: Canada

There's something that's been on my mind for awhile. When I went to Japan to work for Nova, nobody ever verified my identity. I'm convinced that any white man of approximately the same age and accent could have impersonated me.