Thread: Native speaker, near-native speaker, non-native speaker

It seems to be that English teachers who are not native speakers of English do not get a chance, or only a very limited chance to get shortlisted.

For my first job this was not an issue, since my first contacts with the employer were by phone and it took them a long time to realize that I was not British.

For my second job which I held for almost eight years it was no issue either, since I walked into the school and got the job.

For my third job this was not an issue either since some of the teachers working at that school had learnt English from me at my second job.

For my fourth job, which basically was one to complete a contract for the person teaching there before had left for private reasons.

Now I am looking for a job and it seems to be an issue or is it just that schools leave it to the last minute to react to an application.

what Nationality are you?
The closer you look to a Thai the less opputunity even if you actual was a native speaker.
If your Indian, Black or Middle Eastern my experience is that really depends on how enlightned the school is. But many are ignorant and won't hire you unless you say your willing to work for a Lower salary.

If you have a white face most small schools don't care too much.

Principle of a school asked during the interview of a SA that she can't be a native speaker of English and why she wasn't black.

[quote="tomcat"]So..which category are you in?


Put it this way - since I went to the UK on a regular basis, i.e. at least once a year between 1961 and 1991 - you cannot hear that I am German.
So I am a German very well camouflaged by a British accent.