Job Discussion Forums

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

My girlfriend just revealed to me yesterday that there is a preference (in her experience growing up in Torreon, Coahuila) for Canadian and British teachers over teachers from the United States.

Can anyone corroborate or provide reasons?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Can't speak for Torreon, but other places in Mexico I've been, it seems to come down to the individual. While many have told me they prefer British because the accent is 'easier to understand', others have said they prefer American or Canadian because they need to speak with people of these nationalities often.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Do you mean a preference from the schools or from the students?

At this school we're happy to hire native speakers from anywhere, and have tried to recruit from a variety of backgrounds. Currently we have about 9 Brits, 4 Canadians and 4 Americans. During this hiring session we noticed that we were getting significantly fewer applications from the USA than from either Canada or the UK. We don't know why, but I suspect it's likely a combination of negative news stories coming out of Mexico (the election, Oaxaca, etc.) on American news media.

As for students, in the past some have told me they find the American/Canadian accents 'easier' to understand than British or others. I imagine it's because they are simply more accustomed to hearing these accents in movies, songs, etc.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

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

In Europe it is sometimes true that a British accent is preferred.

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:30 am Post subject:

Japan, Korea, Taiwan - seem to prefer North American - but are becoming much more open to Aussie and Kiwi - and even a few Brits and South Africans are sneaking in.

Thailand seems to prefer British accents - but there is such a teacher shortage that they will take most anyone.

In Saudi Arabia, it seemed like each school or company had their own preference.

Baoetta · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 7

I have a similiar question, is there a preference for caucasions?? I am Canadian born asian, and was wondering if that would be a "liability"

b

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Baoetta · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 7

what about in europe?

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

tedkarma · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:37 am Post subject:

Numerous Asian-Canadians were working in Korea when I was last there (Feb, 2006).

A tip from someone I know who has monitored the placement of TEFL Certification program graduates in Thailand (a very knowledgeable man with at least six years experience watching this):

His advice is counter-intuitive, but makes sense when you think about it.

He suggests that non-Caucasian applicants apply only to the BEST schools and programs. That there they will have the most success. What he has observed is that the better programs DO hire such people and that their customers (parents usually) see it as a positive thing - that the school is exposing their kids to some level of diversity. The cheaper not-so-good schools tend to NOT hire non-Caucasian applicants as their customers (parents again) tend to see these employees as being a cheaper, and lower-quality substitute for the Caucasians they want to see in the classroom.

I would follow that advice as my "Plan A" - as I think it is a good strategy and probably lowers your possibility of being exploited with lower wages, or just plain discriminated against.

i_teach_esl · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 15 Location: san diego, CA

ted, i have thought about it, and it does make sense.

Baoetta, i have read many accounts for japan and korea of employers who hire based solely on your photo. so yes, whites would get hired more easily. that doesnt mean no one else would get hired. you'd just have to look longer. maybe use ted's advice, and get a way more kick ass job for it.

Baoetta · Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 7

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

If you are a Canadian/Asian citizen, without a passport from a European country, you probably can't work legally in Italy anyway. You could check the Italy forum for more information. As for nationality preferences, I know some North Americans with Asian ancestry who have taught in the 'new' EU member countries (where it is legal for North Americans to work) and they have had a few experiences where other teachers were preferred, but overall they did have work, and no serious unpleasantness. I would say that there isn't any special, widespread bias against Asians, but it is just that some (maybe older people) who aren't sure that those people who appear Asian are really native English speakers.