By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Can non-native speakers also find jobs teaching English?
12 years 35 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - Beijing
I actually prefer a non native speakers influence close to the beginning of my learning. Proper pronunciation and such need to be taught by a native speaker, but the non native will have hints and tricks on how they were able to wrap their brain around the language.
if you english skill is good enough, i think that no problem at all.
Yes, it maybe more difficult at a larger "branded" school and also for a work visa as they usually require the "English" teacher comes from a country where English is the first language... But you can get a job, yes (they may also offer you less money if you have an accent). It makes sense as the locals aren't hiring native speakers to teach them "grammar, spelling, etc..." per se as Chinese English teachers are MORE than qualified to do that, they want native speakers to help them with their listening skills and speaking (pronunciation, spoken grammar which is different, understanding metaphors and idioms, etc...) which really only a "real" native speaker can do, or at least do better than someone who's first language isn't English. I've worked with Brazilians, Filipino's, Africans (not including South), Belgians, Swede's but in truth they spoke "well enough" but were not native, made pronunciation mistakes, didn't understand metaphors or slang, idioms, etc... It's not fair to locals who are3 paying GOOD money to listen to and practice speaking and understanding native speakers.
Having said all that, good luck with your job hunting!
Native English speakers means anyone who does not look Chinese. So if you fit that description than yes.
instant_noodles:
are filipinos "native speakers" then? all chinese schools are friggin packed with filipino teachers , who however wear contacts and dye their hair...yuck
Theoritically, only English native speakers can apply for a English teaching job.
But, then your in China, and it's only a matter of who knows who in the Chinese administration to get it through.
offcourse they can, but they work bit harder to find a job but once you started than you make your own social circle and you become famous.
I agree with Jahanzeeb...
It doesn't matter whether you are native looking or not, as long as you have a good accent and qualified to teach....but Chinese don't look into that...they look into WHITE MEAT...not even ENGLISH ACCENT...it's just WHITE MEAT..
I have a friend who is from Denmark but raised in Israel and has a slight Aranglish accent (arabic-english) and it's very easy for him to find jobs, whether part time or full time why cuz he's WHITE
Moreover , there are some CANTONESE that looks down at a dark skinned teacher such as myself...
Originally, I'm from Myanmar but was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and studied at the US and UK..Whenever I attended a phone interview, they always thought of me as a NATIVE WHITE ENGLISH TEACHER...but the moment they meet me face to face, their little image of a beautiful WHITE FLOWER shatters into pieces so it basically becomes shattered pieces of imagination speaking flawless English in an American accent. 
paulmartin:
Born in Burma and raised in Saudi Arabia so your not a native speaker why do you get upset when turned down for jobs
paulmartin:
You HAVE a phone conversation not attend and you speak English naturally,not flawless thats for gemstones and alike,so you are by nomeans a native speaker
If your not a native speaker you shouldnt be employed as such SORRY but parents should get what they pay for,not second rate speakers,not a personal response but i think NATIVE says everything would i like to learn Chinese from a Japanese person answer always going to be no
When I was in high school my Spanish teacher was a native English speaker.
He was a good teacher, and very good at Spanish.
paulmartin:
If your not a native speaker how do you know they are good
dharma86:
Well,,, from my example there was a Spanish assistant at the school,,, they spoke to each other fluently...
dharma86:
My point is that if you have an ability and can prove it, why can't you use it??? I know some people who can speak better English than me and other native speakers, and you know what, local dialects don't make us perfect.
I actually prefer a non native speakers influence close to the beginning of my learning. Proper pronunciation and such need to be taught by a native speaker, but the non native will have hints and tricks on how they were able to wrap their brain around the language.
@ Paul Martin...
I wasn't born in Burma...I was born in Saudi Arabia...Now, I know how much of an English guy you are...didn't you have comprehension or perhaps smart reading classes..?
People, this is what I meant....seriously, I have nothing against white people or native English speakers but if you're not qualified to do the job, give others the chance....don't spoil it...
I'm not saying that all white native English teachers are not qualified...I have met some very qualified ones and some are not even high school graduates...Most of the time, you'll find them that they dropped out of school due to some unreasonable argument with the parents and ran away from home...The best place to hide is China cuz they know that even if they are not qualified, their skin colour will pay them off. GOSH!!!
I have a friend from Canada, wasn't that old...around 18-20yrs old and he ran out of home cuz he dad wanted him to take some kind of flying lessons, well, anyways, I thought the explanation was lame and absurd, however, currently, he's working at some kind of kindergarten as an English teacher and gets paid way better than a well qualified teacher (regardless to Native or non-native)...now is that fair???
The guy forged some TEFL certificates and other required qualification degrees and got him a nice job with a nice, well facilitated accommodation.. 
paulmartin:
Its not what i meant its mean,didnt have unreasonable argument,yes i am a native,with a degree from an english university,by the way its not unusual for non native speakers to be angry or feell insecure teaching a language they dont fully understand
instant_noodles:
can i also second the opinion- how many of the native -speaking teachers are actually teachers and not some sort of criminals or pedophiles who chose china as a safe haven ? and those people will teach the precious chinese brats? good luck! :->
p.s. maybe paulmartin is one of those 60+ -year-olds with a 18-year-old chinese gf?
@ Paul Martin
and indeed, it's not unusual for a native speaker to become ragingly jealous over non-native speakers who is way more qualified and in fact teaches the children of the native speakers... 
Spread your eyes out my friend you'll find many QUALIFIED non-native teachers in the US, UK, Australia and so on teaching English language and English literature..Now, don't tell me the government of those countries are not qualified to differentiate who is qualified and who is not and don't tell me that they hold a green card or whatever card and that makes them NATIVE..
Is teaching ( A for Apple B for Banana C for cat ) requires to be a native speaker?
anyway some of them native speakers r just drop outs .
cant think of a successful native speaker with a good education coming to dance with kids in china.
sorrel:
so myself and all the other educated foreign teachers here in China are 'losers' because we want to experience a different culture and life?
Thanks for your generalisation on all foreigners in China.
I'll remember that when i speak to my Post-graduate students in my University.
sorrel:
Any of the foreign teachers i have met, even those who teach children, are all articulate, educated, professional and dedicated.
The non native have varied knowlegde In English as their first language
icnif77:
After Labour law changes in 2017 non-native English sneakers aren't entitled anymore to get legal teaching job in China same as in the most countries around the world.
Mind the date on the bottom of the last reply ...
