Job Discussion Forums

[kzprivate]

Sigh ...
Many Taiwanese job postings are saying "ALL Native English-speaking Accents WELOCME" ... I assumed they only wanted the native accent and not the "Western"-face ... But now to think about it .. they might meant the difference between British English and American English ... am I right?

[steve_c]

As unfair as it may seem in our eyes, Western looking faces bring more credibility (and therefore $$) to Taiwan's English schools, no matter the language skill (or teaching skill, for that matter). So it seems that "all accents welcome" is good for the white face with the Polish accent, but not the Asian face with the Canadian accent.

However, don't give up, because there are ABCs and CBCs working here. It may be a bit more difficult to get a job (especially if you aren't in-country yet), but it's definitely possible, with enough confidence and perseverance. Good luck!

[JZer]

kzprivate, unless you are going through a recruiter, you are not likely to get hired without being in Taiwan. That would also be true if you were white. At least in Taipei, schools do not need to risk hiring someone they have never met before. Unless you are applying for a job that requires a teacher's license or a PhD I would be wary of anyone that wanted to hire you without seeing you face to face.

While it may not always be true, the more reputable schools want to see a teacher face to face. If a school needs to revert to hiring over the phone then they may be hiding something.