Job Discussion Forums

[PierogiMonster]

Hi all

I'm English and considering relocating from Poland to the other side of the pond. So quick question before I dive into reading all the threads:

Is there a preference in Central/South America for a North American accent as opposed to a UK accent? Will my background make it tricky finding a good job?

P.S. A 40something with 7 years' teaching experience, BA English degree and UK PGCE teaching qual (qualifed for UK colleges and adult education sector, not kids' schools).

Cheers

[spanglish]

In my experience, nearly all students in Colombia prefer a UK accent. Here I think you would generally have a slight advantage over North Americans when applying for jobs.

Try to get on with the British Council in Caracas or Bogota or look into top private universities (in Colombia).

[naturegirl321]

Ditto in Peru, all the schools and unis I taught in used British books. Kind of sticks, I ended up with a odd British accents.

[Don Alan]

I think this question is valid but reflects the ignorance of students and some teachers. Valid because unfortunately people think this way, but totally ignorant in the sense that there are hundred if not thousands of British and American accents.
An educated preference would have more to do with clarity of pronunciation within those two countries. We all know people who speak "well" and "badly".
Moreover, I think students need to be exposed to different accents. I would advocate not falling into their ignorance but educating them to realise the great quantity of accents there are and it is not the be and end of all...