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cyberphi
Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:10 pm Post subject: ELT and teachers' ethnicity |
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Hi,
I'm researching the issue of ELT and teachers' ethnicity. I'm interested in the idea (sad reality?) that, when employing native English speakers (so English level would not be the issue), ELT employers may prefer white to non-white teachers. I have worked in Europe and encountered some racism towards non-white teachers (in Poland) but nothing to the degree you find it in Asia. So I want to know if (and why?) it is similar/different in the rest of the ELT world, including elsewhere in Europe.
How does this compare with your experience? Is there a preference in ELT towards hiring teachers who look like "proper westerners", (as I have found in China)? I'd be particularly interested in hearing from non-white teachers working in Europe/elsewhere, but anyone who has worked in ELT is more than welcome to contribute.
If would like to contribute to this research, please fill out a questionnaire here: www.surveykey.com/take-survey.cfm?surveykey=1004466177
Thanks,
Phi |
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guangho
Joined: 16 Oct 2004
Posts: 476
Location: in transit
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| Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: ELT and teachers' ethnicity |
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| cyberphi wrote: |
Hi,
I'm researching the issue of ELT and teachers' ethnicity. I'm interested in the idea (sad reality?) that, when employing native English speakers (so English level would not be the issue), ELT employers may prefer white to non-white teachers. I have worked in Europe and encountered some racism towards non-white teachers (in Poland) but nothing to the degree you find it in Asia. So I want to know if (and why?) it is similar/different in the rest of the ELT world, including elsewhere in Europe.
How does this compare with your experience? Is there a preference in ELT towards hiring teachers who look like "proper westerners", (as I have found in China)? I'd be particularly interested in hearing from non-white teachers working in Europe/elsewhere, but anyone who has worked in ELT is more than welcome to contribute.
If would like to contribute to this research, please fill out a questionnaire here: www.surveykey.com/take-survey.cfm?surveykey=1004466177
Thanks,
Phi |
There is an idea, especially in east Asia, that all one needs to teach EFL is white skin, a passport from an English-speaking country and a generally pleasing appearance. This, along with the prevalant notion that one can learn English by playing hangman, has schools making hiring decisions on a youthful appearance, pale skin and blonde hair. The notion that being young, white and blonde does not by itself qualify you to teach never occurs to most employers. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Hate to say it, but racism in eastern Europe is pretty virulent. I'm not sure that central Europe is much better. |
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