Non native Teacher. What are the chances of getting a descent job in China?

[stavrosmakris]

Hello all!

I'm a non-native aspiring teacher (Greek nationality), who wishes to spend some years in China.
I have a degree in Biology from the University of Athens, a 2-year-long research in Paleontology, a Certificate of Proficiency in English from the Universities of Michigan and Cambridge, a Certificate of Proficiency in French from the University of Sorbonne, a translation degree from and into English from the University of Cambridge and some basic knowledge of Spanish. I am certified to work as an English teacher in Greece and other European countries.
I attended an American Private School since the age of 6, and worked for three years, while studying, as a part time English teacher in a private school in Athens. I quit my post there in 2004 and started working as a freelance translator for various Editing Houses in Athens and abroad. Right now I'm waiting for my research paper in Paleontology to get published, and I'm working as a translator for the Greek Edition of "Scientific American".

My contract with them (which I intend to honour) ends in June 2008. This is the moment I would like to be on a plane flying to China.
I have been reading a lot these past few months, and I get frustrated when I see ads that ask specifically for native speakers (no offence to those of you who fall into this category!).
Are there any non-native English teachers in this forum that have achieved a descent job in China?
If so, do you have any advice, tips or comments?

Is it really that difficult to achieve (ie should I start looking for something else that can take me there?)?

Thank you for reading that far..
Thanks in advance for any replies,
Stavros

[exported_kiwi]

Stavros, don't you mean a "decent" job? With all due respect, it's for this reason that native speakers are more highly required. In saying this, it could just be a typo too. Good luck in your endeavours!

[gfell]

This question has already been asked so many times on this forum. If you were a parent and sending your kids to learn English, which would you prefer? A native or non-native English teacher for your kids?

Native English teachers are in demand for obvious reasons. If you want to try teaching abroad, then give it a go, but expect the worst. When applying, I wouldn't emphasise the fact that you have basic knowledge in Spanish, or have proficiency in French. The schools will only want to hear about your English teaching / proficiency levels.

A non-native English teacher with a high proficiency in English that holds a Masters in Education would be an exception though.

[kdavid]

Your salary and other benefits will be largely effected by your "non-native" status. However, if you're still interested, there's a university out here in Harbin that's particularly desperate for teachers right now (they've recently hired 2 Phillipinos [sp?] and 2 Africans with horribly broad accents from what I've heard). This is the Harbin University of Science and Technology. Try a google search on them and see what you come up with.

[stavrosmakris]

Oops.. That was the result of typing in a dark room at 3 in the morning! (the "descent" incident)
Anyway, I am sure that this matter has been discussed many times in this forum. I'm gonna start by reading any related topics, and hope for the best..
Thank you for your immediate replies!
Stavros

[gfell]

You're welcome and going by your background, I think you should give it a try. Never know and you could be regretting if forever if you never try.

Cheers.

[leozeh]

I'm a non-native speaker teaching English in Canada and to be quite honest with you all, it was pretty tough to get a job round here. I had to prove my proficiency in the language - even though I've been teaching for almost 9 years, have a FCE, CAE, CPE, Michigan Competency and proficiency, high TOEFL and IELTS score, I still had a hard time trying to find a job. It's not an excellent job but at least i'm on the market now. I make more money teaching privately.
I still think this whole thing about being native or non-native is not important. If you're native and good at what you do, GREAT! But that doesn't mean that we don't have good non-native english teachers.
Let's just try to be fair with everyone out there!

[exported_kiwi]

Hi there. Yes, you're right that if a non native speaker has a demonstrable capability, then he/she should be treated equally. The point that has been made many times in these forums is that, and with all due respect, non native speakers don't have the inbuilt ability to know all that a native speaker does, like nuances etc. This isn't to say that non native speakers can't speak creditable English either, but non native speakers, in any language, will always be at a disadvantage to a native speaker.

You'll also find, throughout these forums that many of us do treat non native speakers equally and sympathise with the fact that it's not as easy for them to find a job as it is for native speakers. You'll find that it's the employer that discriminates against non native speakers, not your fellow teachers.

I respect your persistence and achievements and it's a good example for all non native speakers, well done!

[gfell]

One other point is that non-native English speakers will not have a native English speaking accent. So no matter how good your English is, you still wont sound like a native English speaker.

The same with me trying to speak Japanese. Even though I can say sentences that are grammatically correct in Japanese, native Japanese can tell I am a foreigner just by my sounds.

[leozeh]

Originally Posted by exported_kiwi

with all due respect, non native speakers don't have the inbuilt ability to know all that a native speaker does, like nuances etc. This isn't to say that non native speakers can't speak creditable English either, but non native speakers, in any language, will always be at a disadvantage to a native speaker.

You'll also find, throughout these forums that many of us do treat non native speakers equally and sympathise with the fact that it's not as easy for them to find a job as it is for native speakers. You'll find that it's the employer that discriminates against non native speakers, not your fellow teachers.

I respect your persistence and achievements and it's a good example for all non native speakers, well done!

Thanks for the support exported_kiwi.
I do agree with everything you said, especially when you mention that non-native speakers don't have the inbuilt ability to know certain things and the fact the non-native will always be at a disadvantage to a native speaker. I can tell by my own experiences.
I keep struggling hard and trying to change this but I still think it is a reality that won't be changed at least for now!

But thank God we all agree and get along well!!