As an international recruitment agency we are frequently asked about various aspects of teaching English as a Second Language but as recruiters we often don't have the hands on knowledge of local markets to provide the insights sought, so to help all ESL Teachers and ourselves, we have asked our clients for input.
In reading the following comments we need to place matters in context. Our strengths lie in placing ESL teachers in the Middle East but we also occasionally send them to Russia and China and used to do so in Australia but pay rates are so low it is no longer attractive.
So to the questions:
- Recent qualifiers have a problem. So many jobs call for one/two years direct teaching experience so where do recent qualifiers get that first job, so that they can gain experience. Are there any particular countries who are empathetic?
"The usual places are China and Thailand (and often Korea) for newbies. Anybody can go there, so be careful. You will have crazy colleagues and little quality control (and low pay). Other places are S America and Mexico.
- What would you suggest as far as “Near” native English speakers, who have good accents, good teaching qualifications but were born in the wrong country?
"This is one of my great frustrations. The science says these guys are great.The politics says, well... they will get experience like others from the foregoing, but to be placed in non-welcoming countries like Saudi Arabia, they need a foothold. I suggest experience in Oman, Kuwait, UAE. or, in Saudi Arabia, with minor firms (but they will need to watch their contracts)."
We expect to recruit over 1000 teachers in 2012 for the Middle East alone and are taking registrations now.
Why not join our ESL Global Teachers group on LinkedIn to keep up to date.
Author: Lesley-Anne Hornbogen
