Teaching Eng as non-native with BcE

Rubine · 23 Apr 2012

I'm a Dutch student following a studies called "English Teacher Program for High School and Professional Education". Right now I have to choose my minor and here I am terribly confused.

The first option is doing a minor in English which will eventually lead up to a Masters degree in English Education.
The second option is going abroad for a combination of study/internship/research for half a year, with either Japan and England as an option.

I don't really know which one will benefit me better when I'm going to look for a job in Japan. Option 2 is more expensive, but I can show that I have experience (and then which is better: England or Japan?) while option 1 will give me a deeper knowledge of English and an MA.

I'm really at a loss!
Anybody experience as non-native English speakers, or some good advice?

nice gaijin · 24 Apr 2012

Having experience as a student in a country is not the same thing as having professional experience. Not to knock it as an option at all, but you should know the difference if it's going to play a role in your decision.

Rubine · 24 Apr 2012

You're absolutely right, I forgot to mention that it's a combination of internship and study, and a small bit of research that must be included. But I can image that, considering my background, it's more likely to be an internship.

Glenski · 24 Apr 2012

It will be difficult to come to Japan. Consider the UK. At least students are motivated there.

Rubine · 24 Apr 2012

I don't think I agree with you on UK students being motivated, I actually hear some quite scary stories from people who have worked in the UK. Besides, people everywhere can have motivation problems when it's high school, I mean, it's mandatory and those kids just want to go out and play XD

On topic again: yeah, I suspected it would be difficult since most job offers have "native speaker" in highlighted capital letters in their descriptions. Even though I personally think it's rubbish that educated non-natives are inferior to uneducated natives, I'm afraid that won't make any difference....

Glenski · 25 Apr 2012

I don't think I agree with you on UK students being motivated, I actually hear some quite scary stories from people who have worked in the UK.

My information comes from people who currently work there with Japanese students, and comparing their descriptions to what I've seen in Japan for the past 14 years in HS and university.

As for the whole non-native speaker conundrum, it is not so much a matter of what employers want in Japan, but of what immigration wants in order to issue the visa. Stupid, but those are their rules.

Davey · 25 Apr 2012

Glenski said:
As for the whole non-native speaker conundrum, it is not so much a matter of what employers want in Japan, but of what immigration wants in order to issue the visa. Stupid, but those are their rules.

Don't forget the parents , most of the parents think that if you are from a non-native English speaking country it means you can't speak English well. Having blond hair and blue eyes will help a lot in their eyes though...

Mike Cash · 25 Apr 2012

They'd change their minds if they knew what a horrible command of English most native speakers have.

Rubine · 25 Apr 2012

Too bad blonde looks terrible on me...Now I'll have to change my future plans
@ Davey, you're an English teacher too?
@ Mike: exactly, right?

I'm also looking at all the TOEFL/IELTS exams, since I do seem to need one on top of my diploma (orz) to prove myself. Maybe you got some experience on this topic?

I guess just studying or going to England for six months will be better.

Davey · 26 Apr 2012

I've been teaching as an ALT at 30+ elementary schools, and a couple of international kindergartens here in Kobe. It might help a bit to have an online TEFL degree. Although going to England might be better in a way, living in Japan for a while will be a great experience that you will take with you forever I think.

zoomingjapan · 18 Jun 2012

With a university degree and good English skills (especially pronunciation) you can get a job es English teacher here even without being a native speaker!! I did it, too. Many years ago.
If you can bring your own work visa (working holiday visa), even better!!

Glenski · 19 Jun 2012

zoomingjapan said:
With a university degree and good English skills (especially pronunciation) you can get a job es English teacher here even without being a native speaker!! I did it, too. Many years ago.

Key words to heed: "many years ago".

Are you the same nationality?
What were your circumstances? Identical to the OP?

If you can bring your own work visa (working holiday visa), even better!!

And Dutch people are not eligible for the working holiday visa.

zoomingjapan · 19 Jun 2012

Glenski said:
Key words to heed: "many years ago".

I'm quite sure that the situation hasn't changed.

Are you the same nationality?
What were your circumstances? Identical to the OP?

No, I'm German.
Of course, my circumstances were not the same.
Maybe my comment was a little bit confusing.
All I wanted to express is that it's not impossible for non-native speakers to get an English teaching gig.
Of course, it's still a case to case thing, though.

And Dutch people are not eligible for the working holiday visa.

Thanks, I should have checked. I know that only a few countries are eligible for it.

With a MA in English she would be able to find a job, the problem is the visa.
A spouse visa is always an option, but question is how realistic that is in the end.
At least it's not impossible!

Glenski · 19 Jun 2012

zoomingjapan said:
I'm quite sure that the situation hasn't changed.

Actually, things have become stricter.

No, I'm German.
Of course, my circumstances were not the same.
Maybe my comment was a little bit confusing.
All I wanted to express is that it's not impossible for non-native speakers to get an English teaching gig.

But you are not comparing apples with apples. As for me, I won't say it is impossible, but it is certainly very difficult. Usually, he will have to prove 12 years of his education were all in English. That is usually the killer for immigration.

Of course, it's still a case to case thing, though.!

yes, but the odds are against him.

Rubine · 23 Jun 2012

It's 'her' actually

A few weeks ago I made my decision: 5 months of studying in Bath, UK. One of the modules the Uni offers is Comparative Education with a Focus on Asia, so I guess I could really learn something from that, or rather, I hope I do. Whether or not I follow up with an MA next year depends on my situation at that time. We'll see.

Whether getting a job is easy or not really seems to be different from person to person.
Maybe after having some unsuccesful job-interviews I can always go back and do a MA, I even heard of a teacher who did one online. And then there's always the JET-programme, which I think should be the first thing to do after graduation. Thankfully Dutch people do apply for that

Glenski · 23 Jun 2012

Rubine said:
It's 'her' actually

Sorry about that.

Whether getting a job is easy or not really seems to be different from person to person.

Just be sure you compare advice and experiences of others with your equivalently. An Australian who says he/she has the same background as you will still have a better chance of landing a job simply because of nationality.

Teaching Eng as non-native with BcE

Rubine

後輩

nice gaijin

Resident Realist

Rubine

後輩

Glenski

Just me

Rubine

後輩

Glenski

Just me

Davey

先輩

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Rubine

後輩

Davey

先輩

zoomingjapan

Japan Travel Expert

Glenski

Just me

zoomingjapan

Japan Travel Expert

Glenski

Just me

Rubine

後輩

Glenski

Just me

Similar threads