Hi everyone!

[hyperbizarre]

Just thought I'd introduce myself to all ya'll. Hope everyone is all good. Its good to have a forum especially for TEFL teachers. God knows how much we need the support! Especially for a non-native English speakers like me. Yep.... theres that word again.... "non-native".

For the record ... my IELTS score is 8 (native level is nine). I sound American. Hardly ever lived in Thailand, even though I'm Thai. BTW my Thai sucks big time. And the only problem I have is... I have a Thai passport.

Sorry... kinda needed to vent out a bit there, been frustrated with the whole job application process lately.

Word of advice to all non-native english teachers.... where there's a will, theres a way. Someone out there is bound to see the effort and tolerance we have to endure from the TEFL industry....

[gfell]

I sympathise with you, but can't feel what you do as I'm a native-English speaker. From reading your post, you show no hint of being a non-native English speaker.

Certainly it is much tougher for you guys to land a teaching job even though your English skills are almost comparable with a native English speaker.

For non-native English speakers, you really need to get in front of the hiring managers and demonstrate to them your clean accent and good grasp of English. Via email or telephone is just not going to get you anywhere. You need to take the plunge and get out there in front of their face.

But be warned... you will be wasting your time if you have a thick accent and stumble for words.

[hyperbizarre]

Thanks (^_^)

Yeh, I know what you mean about getting out there and showing them what I have to offer. I've been pretty passive with the application... now, I've stocked up on calling cards and as soon as Monday hits... I'm calling up places.

Have to say... its a dog eat dog world out there. You gotta show them who's the alpha male (in my case... female...). Anyways, thanks for understanding. Been looking around the site and you've posted some really insightful posts. Thats always useful for a newbie!

[gfell]

When you call them, just try and focus only on your experiences living abroad. Try to have them assume you are a native-English speaker. What you need to do is get an interview and then impress them.

Glad to hear you enjoy our site.

Off to bed now... see you.