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AlanaInTheWorld
Joined: 30 Oct 2009
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject: Teaching in Tibet and Bhutan |
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In 2003 there was a thread opened on this, but I thought I'd start one again. Does ANYONE have ANY information on how to contact schools/ universities for teaching in these countries?
I know there are organizations through China that may place you in Tibetan provinces, but I'm not sure what is reliable. And, since, Bhutan is particularly wary of and apathetic towards Westerners, they generally don't seek out foreign English teachers. But do you think it is possible to find a school hiring? And how best to search? |
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80daze
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Posts: 118
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:14 am Post subject: |
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I was in Tibet this summer just travelling, I went to a language school in Lhasa to see if they had any vacancies. They did, BUT the adults they were teaching were from the security forces (police/army etc..) which completely put me off teaching there.
My advice is just google "esl Tibet", I saw quite a few language schools in a few of the towns while travelling and I'm sure I saw an English First School, but as I said understand who the majority of your clients may be.
Good luck  |
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PattyFlipper
Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 572
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:50 am Post subject: Re: Teaching in Tibet and Bhutan |
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| AlanaInTheWorld wrote: |
| And, since, Bhutan is particularly wary of and apathetic towards Westerners, they generally don't seek out foreign English teachers. |
The Bhutanese government has a scheme whereby they recruit English teachers in India and place them in schools in Bhutan. The only Westerners the Bhutan government wants are those willing to spend large amounts of money to visit the country and leave after two weeks. |
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jgmodlin
Joined: 01 Mar 2006
Posts: 120
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:19 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I was in Tibet this summer just travelling, I went to a language school in Lhasa to see if they had any vacancies. They did, BUT the adults they were teaching were from the security forces (police/army etc..) which completely put me off teaching there. |
80 Daze, Just curious, why were you put off by teaching Tibetan security forces? I have taught military and find them to be pretty much like any other students. |
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Global Hobo
Joined: 27 Sep 2009
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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| jgmodlin wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I was in Tibet this summer just travelling, I went to a language school in Lhasa to see if they had any vacancies. They did, BUT the adults they were teaching were from the security forces (police/army etc..) which completely put me off teaching there. |
80 Daze, Just curious, why were you put off by teaching Tibetan security forces? I have taught military and find them to be pretty much like any other students. |
Most people are aware that the security forces are not Tibetan but predominantly ethnic Han Chinese of the PRC, regarded by most of the world as military occupiers. These security forces have been involved in brutal crackdowns on Tibetan monks and civilians. I would assume 80 Daze has some ethical issues much as one would have teaching the security forces in the DPRK or Burma. They're not exactly the friendly security force that gives a Tibetan directions and a lift home. |
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80daze
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Posts: 118
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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| jgmodlin wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I was in Tibet this summer just travelling, I went to a language school in Lhasa to see if they had any vacancies. They did, BUT the adults they were teaching were from the security forces (police/army etc..) which completely put me off teaching there. |
80 Daze, Just curious, why were you put off by teaching Tibetan security forces? I have taught military and find them to be pretty much like any other students. |
I'm assuming that you don't know the history of the conflict in Tibet and haven't watched the news about the brutal crackdowns that happen there every now and then to suppress the Tibetans wish for an independent country again.
I have no wish to teach those that occupy and suppress the free will and independence of others. |
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80daze
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Posts: 118
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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Most people are aware that the security forces are not Tibetan but predominantly ethnic Han Chinese of the PRC, regarded by most of the world as military occupiers. These security forces have been involved in brutal crackdowns on Tibetan monks and civilians. I would assume 80 Daze has some ethical issues much as one would have teaching the security forces in the DPRK or Burma. They're not exactly the friendly security force that gives a Tibetan directions and a lift home.[/quote]
Well said |
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sounion
Joined: 28 Aug 2011
Posts: 30
Location: Bhutan
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:58 am Post subject: teach in bhutan now! |
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| The Bhutanese government has a scheme whereby they recruit English teachers in India and place them in schools in Bhutan. The only Westerners the Bhutan government wants are those willing to spend large amounts of money to visit the country and leave after two weeks. |
Wow. I have never heard of this recruitment scheme that you speak of. And your comments on the Bhutanese government seem really uninformed and biased. The Bhutanese government actually is very eager to welcome English speaking teachers - of all subjects - into their schools.
Since I am living and teaching Bhutan currently - not recruited in India, recruited in the U.S. actually - I want to shed some light on how to make it here.
Check out www.teachinbhutan.org for info on how to apply for a teaching gig. You need a background in teaching but the Bhutan Canada Foundation will select teachers to submit for approval by the Bhutan Ministry of Education. There's something like a 95% of being hired by the MOE after that. Once selected, you then work for the Bhutan MOE, not BCF, and are paid by the government.
You won't make a lot of money, but you'll be able to have an immersed cultural experience in a rural/remote placement and live fully like a Bhutanese. Having done this, I strongly suggest looking into the opportunity because, honestly, Bhutan is extremely unique - not perfect, not Shangri-la, but unlike any other country.
pm me for more details or questions  |
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JimJam
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 69
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:42 am Post subject: |
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I have no wish to teach those that occupy and suppress the free will and independence of others. |
That's an interesting point and I doubt anyone could disagree with you.
So how do you vet your students for their moral rectitude?
Perhaps it could be integrated into the placement testing, e.g.
Q1. Would you even smother a kitten? [Why/Why not]
Q2. How many times have you suppressed the free will and independence of others? (circle your answer)
0-5_________6-10__________11-20____________21+
Personally I ask all my students for a reference from a local priest before I allow them in the classroom. |
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Trinley
Joined: 29 Apr 2010
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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JimJam, just curious -- if Kim Jong-Il asked you for English lessons (a hypothetical question, of course) would you feel any ethical dilemma there?
It's not often ESL teachers get into discussions on the ethical ramifications of their work. It would be interesting to hear different ideas without ridiculing eachother. |
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JimJam
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 69
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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| It would be interesting to hear different ideas without ridiculing eachother. |
Irony surely. To call it ridicule seems unfair.
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| if Kim Jong-Il asked you for English lessons (a hypothetical question, of course) would you feel any ethical dilemma there? |
How much is he paying?
Seriously though, I do things everyday that are more immoral than teaching English to Kim Jong-Il*. It's not as if the implementation of his evil master plan hinges on the completion of New English File Elementary.
How exactly is teaching English to security forces in Tibet helping them repress the local population? We're talking about private schools, right? Maybe these people are learning English so that they can get out of Tibet and build a better life for themselves. You certainly don't need English to use a baton.
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| It's not often ESL teachers get into discussions on the ethical ramifications of their work |
Because there are no ethical ramifications. Teaching English to Kim Jung-Il makes you as ethically responsible for North Korean domestic policy as cleaning the toilets in Stalin's Kremlin makes you responsible for the red terror.
*funding the Chinese military by buying things which are at least in part produced in China, like the computer I'm using, the clothes I'm wearing, the furniture I'm sitting on... |
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Trinley
Joined: 29 Apr 2010
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not entirely sure why I find teaching Kim Jong-Il or the Chinese military in Tibet immoral. I just hoped to open a discussion about it. Maybe someone more articulate that I can take a stab at it. I have a vague feeling that doing work that supports the success of those I am ethical opposed to presents a moral dilemma. I would say that by providing education to dictators and oppressive militia, you are empowering those who use their power to cause harm. Since I have a choice, I would rather empower those who use their gains to contribute to a better world --or at least those who don't intend to steal, destroy, and invoke terror in others.
Of course it's practically impossible to go through life without causing any harm -- common daily purchases often end up supporting the military, funding governments we oppose, and causing harm to the environment. It's not necessarily immoral to buy a computer, but I think it's immoral to not consider how your daily actions bring about harm to others and then take small steps to reduce the harm. Just because we can't do everything doesn't mean we should do nothing at all. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Since I have a choice, I would rather empower those who use their gains to contribute to a better world --or at least those who don't intend to steal, destroy, and invoke terror in others. |
I am intrigued to know how you vet your students to ensure their future intentions are pure.
However, more seriously, for many people a career in the military was not optional. If you deny them education, you remove any possibility of them being able to do anything else.
As far as I am concerned, the ethics are fairly simple. Education should be as widely and freely available as possible. I do not want to see anyone denied the opportunity to learn because of their, or my, ideologies, background, race, gender, etc etc. I accept that the world is currently a long way from that ideal, but I won't work against it by picking and choosing who I think is sufficiently worthy or deserving of education. |
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Trinley
Joined: 29 Apr 2010
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't try to ensure that their intentions are pure. I doubt anyone but a few saints is entirely pure of intention. Just because I don't require them to be saints doesn't mean I am also okay with them being known terrorists. There is a middle ground. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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As the saying goes, "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter."
Restricting access to education is one of the oldest forms of repression. |
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