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

[leozeh]

Originally Posted by 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.

I'll have to disagree now 'gfell'.

I was born in brazil and moved to Canada, and I do think that my accent is not 100% Canadian standard but It sounds very much like native and I do have some fellow colleagues that teach and are non-native speakers and have british standard accent. You can only tell if they tell you they are from Greece or Africa.

I do believe that if you study the Japanese phonetic system carefully you will be able to sound like a native Japanese, even though it is a hardcore language!!

[hyperbizarre]

Originally Posted by 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!

I don't necessarily agree to the statement that a non-native English speaker doesn't have the inbuilt ability to know the English language like a native speaker. When I took the CELTA, some of the native speakers hardly knew what a participle is. With respect, a native speaker takes these principles for granted. Whereas, I find that a non-native speaker can still relate to when they first learnt the language.

The argument here is not about a teacher's ability, native or non-native. Its about marketability. A school wants a westerner because they know they can grab more clients because 'their school has Western teachers'. It's the status quo in today's English schools. The stereotype that a good English school should have Western teachers is hard to overcome. What is more annoying is the stereotype that a non-native English speaker cannot speak the same level of English as a native speaker. These are the stereotypes that a non-native speaker like you and I will have to accept as a mentality, and try our best to change people's minds.

I got the job by persistence and kick-ass credentials. Ie: IELTS score, honours degree from an English speaking country, job experiences that require a good level of English. In addition to all that, a stubbornness to give up.

From what I have read, I think you can land something. Record yourself into an mp3 file, and have that as an addition to your resume pack. Call them after ten days (if you haven't heard from them), so that they can hear your voice again.

Its not easy finding a job with our background, it takes extra work. Good luck! Hopefully you can be another non-native teaching English in China.

PS: Try BERLITZ.

[exported_kiwi]

True things you've said there my friend, however, is it necessary to know what a participle is? The kids here in China get so overloaded with all kinds of rules about speaking English that very few of them seem to be able to grqasp them all. Add to this, the mountains of homework they're required to do as well as the pressure of exams etc, and it's a wonder any of them graduate at all instead of going through some sort of meltdown! the grammar that the kids are taught here, by their Chinese English teachers, is crap and the whole system needs to be seriously overhauled. I just give em the basics and it allows them to relax more, they learn more, retain more and are more easily understood as a result.