Job Discussion Forums

[tschmottlach]

I am a white male, native English speaker with 12 years of teaching experience and with a new CELTA certificate...so I could probably land a job in most countries...but my wife is a Nepali citizen who has taught ESL for 19 years at an American International School in Kathmandu and she has her Master's in English...does anyone know countries or specific organizations in Vietnam, Cambodia, Middle East, or Eastern Europe that would hire her? There seems to be some discrimination out there for only native speakers. Any help would be appreciative, thanks.

[spiral78]

It's not fair or politically correct, but if your wife looks indian or asian - Eastern Europe could be really difficult. There can be quite a lot of racial prejudice against anyone who could possibly be mistaken for a 'gypsy.'

Please forgive these words - I realise they sound really brutal and primitive - but so are the prejudices in many cases.

In my experience, discrimination in this area isn't usually a daily thing, and some people get by anyway, but she would really have to expect occasional negative experiences in most of Eastern Europe, I think. Thick skin needed.

[coledavis]

While agreeing with Spiral78, I think individual companies may want to help where it is in their interests to do so. Following that way of thinking, why not apply for jobs where they want a married couple. Unless you're competing with a well-qualified couple who are both native speakers, you might well find a berth that way.