Job Discussion Forums

[Nogmaals]

Hello everyone,

After a few days of lurking I decided to create an account as I had some questions which the search engine couldn't supply me with answers for. Kudos to Dave for reading and approving each individual registration!

I'll start with a little bit about myself. In the summer of 1986, on the 27th of July I was born in a small city in the Netherlands. At an early age I developed a rather good control over the English language through television, computers and due to the fact that Dutch society is fairly anglicized.

In my high school years this developed further to the point where I am now able to speak and write it fluently, virtually indistinguishable from a native speaker. Half a year ago I got a bachelor degree in Design. However, I realized that it is not entirely the direction I would like to take.

During high school I tutored English to my fellow pupils, and while getting my bachelor degree I continued helping exchange students speak English but also Dutch. I got rather passionate about teaching while doing this.

Recently I discovered the whole EFL universe, and it really ignited my passion once again.

This week I'm planning to confirm my TEFL course for March (120 hours, 6 hours teaching experience). However, I'm still having some doubts.

Is it worth it for me - as a non-native speaker, and with a Dutch passport - to persue this path of teaching abroad? I've really noticed that for alot of people this seems to be a liability. I know my knowledge of English is up to it, but will future employers be able to look past my passport?

[naturegirl321]

Yep it is. Germans and Dutch speak English very well and I-ve bumped into more than a few while teaching. All of the EU is open to you. NOt everyone will hire you, but some will.

[spiral78]

I teach at a university in the Netherlands. In our English dept., we have at least 8 Dutch teachers on staff (teaching English). Most of them have significant teaching experience abroad, from other Euro countries to Asia and Latin America. Obviously, there are opportunities.

There are some good reasons that non-native speakers are desirable as teachers in many contexts. You've experienced the process of learning English, as no native speaker can do by definition. The often makes for a more knowledgeable and sensitive teacher...not in every case, of course.

I suggest you might contact the English Language Dept of some university near you and try to arrange a meeting with some teachers in your situation. They will know more about what kinds of opportunities are out there, and can also probably give you info about training possibilities after your initial certification course, in case you decide to really make a career of teaching.

[denise]

Please don't let your passport stop you. There are plenty of good schools out there that will value proper training and command of the language. This issue has come up on these boards many times, and there are plenty of people here (can't remember who at the moment) who reply, "If schools won't hire you because of your nationality, you probably wouldn't want to work for them anyway..." I agree whole-heartedly. Get yourself trained, get your CV in order, and start sending it out. Good luck!

d

[Nogmaals]

Thanks very much for all the replies, it's very much appreciated!

[Glenski]

"Worth it"? That's entirely up to you. Spend a year and make that decision yourself. It's probably nowhere near what you think it is, and the only way to know is to do it.

Your passport will work against you a little, yes. Make no mistake about that. Your main objective will be to convince an employer your ability and experience is good enough (easily done from what you wrote here), and to convince immigration you are eligible for a work visa. That latter point may not be as easy, because The Netherlands is not considered a native English speaking country, and for people like you, you will need to prove your education has been taught solely in English for 12-13 years. Have heard of Dutch teachers of English here, so it can be done. Consider Berlitz or the JET Programme to get your feet wet.

[Nogmaals]

Well, it rather seems fate has dealt me a rather good hand today.

I logged in on my sister's computer and the MSN screen popped up. I hadn't logged in in about one and a half years but thought: "Hell, why not?". An old friend I knew migrated to China two years ago was on, and it turns out that he started an English training school. I had just before told him about my plans to get TEFL certified. He says: "This might be an incredibly odd coincidence, but we are actually looking for someone to help with lessons, you wouldn't happen to be interested?"

But anyway, I think I need to clarify something. I don't view TEFL as some kind of romanticized cakewalk. It's going to be tough, exhausting and possibly frustrating, but I know I'll end up stronger.

Unfortunately, I have no proof of my experience with English. I wasn't taught in English or anything like that. If I were to take the above position, would that year or so of experience increase my chances elsewhere?

[naturegirl321]

Experience working at a good reputable school will help you.

[denise]

Would you take that job instead of or in addition to taking your CELTA course?

If you take the job and decide not to do the CELTA course, then the job may or may not help you in the future--depending on how much training you get, what methodology you use, etc. (There are some schools that require you to teach using only their methodology--fine while you're there but not very helpful afterwards.) And a lot of places require a CELTA or equivalent, so you might end up going back and doing the course anyway.

If the school in China can wait for you to finish your CELTA, then finding future jobs should be easier because you'll have the basic qualification and experience.

d

[Nogmaals]

It's not CELTA I'm taking. But yeah, I'm planning to finish my TEFL before I go to China. If they cannot wait, then so be it.

So would you say being a non-native English speaker can be balanced of sorts by work experience?

[onthemove]

Experience won't hurt you, regardless of your nationality. However, some schools are dodgy and can screw you over big time, so be aware of that. Also, take CELTA. It's the most respected and opens the most doors. I took something else and take it from someone who knows - CELTA is the way to go. It will prepare you better than any other program. Especially if you're a non-native speaker. I'm a native speaker with SIT TESOL, and my husband is a non-native speaker with CELTA pass B, and he gets just as many job offers as I do, mostly because he has CELTA and a great score.

With an EU passport you are in an enviable position. Many European schools won't look at you without one. Get your CELTA, really aim for at least a Pass B, which is difficult but achievable, and if you do a year or two in a not-so-hot place like China, you'll get experience under your belt and have a fighting chance at the more desirable schools. You can also teach Dutch- always include that in your resume. By the way, you don't have to include where/how you learned English, your language will stand on its own. But definitely follow up by phone after you send your CV, so they can her your accent or lack thereof. And Seriously, get CELTA!!!

Good luck!

[denise]

[Nogmaals]

Well, that's a tricky one. I tend to think of myself as a bit of chameleon. In every sort of environment I can make myself comfortable. I probably only have these notions of 'I'd like to go there/I never want to go there' because of things I've heard about a place. I don't think you can really judge it until you've been there. So I basically keep an open mind about anything.

That said, if I had to choose, it would be one of these: Argentina, Chile, Peru, Korea, the Middle East, Eastern Europe. You might notice China isn't in there. That is kind of because China has never appealed that much to me, but closer research already kind of reveals that alot of it is also prejudice.

I'm already aware TEFL doesn't have equal value across the globe or the countries I listed. Maybe I'm still young and naive, but in the end I like to believe that it is the person they're hiring. Or would they quickly 'scan' your resume and see 'TEFL' instead of 'CELTA' or vice versa and chuck it in the bin right away?

[spiral78]

not in my personal experience A decent generic TEFL that included supervised teaching practice should be ok most places.

[naturegirl321]