Are there any teaching jobs for non-native speakers?

I think you might be able to find a job in Japan. With a teaching certificate or degree and experience you would certainly be a candidate here.

I think part of the problem is getting a work visa. Employers need to justify hiring workers from abroad instead of people within the country. If they come from English speaking countries it justifies a work visa, but if not, why can't they just hire a local person.

Anyway, if you contact a recruiter, you should be able to get more information.

Hi Beatrix,
I am German and teach ESL in Germany.
It is possible to find a teaching job if
- you have an ITTT certificate or similar
- you try the adult education centers or local schools. Where I live, English is not taught in schools until 3rd grade so I offer English classes for 1st and 2nd graders as an extra curricular workshop type of thing and it is very very successful. You may try to contact pre-schools (kindergarten) also. Or get in touch with language schools. Find a market niche!!!
The point is to convince people that just because someone is a native speaker doesn´t mean they can teach the language (no offense to all the native ESL teachers)🙂

Sorry I haven't gotten back with you, but the truth is I don't have much information about more possibilities for language teaching positions. (Also, your PM inbox is full. To receive any messages you'll need to delete some of the older messages, sent messages, etc.)

For Japan, you can try a company called Interact. They have contract with schools all across Japan and might have more information for you.
https://www.interacnetwork.com/recruit/

The other option is to watch some of the job boards here and other places or post you resume to job boards at Dave's ESL Cafe for example.

Even though they ask for native English speakers, send your application anyway. They might not be able to find a native English speaker in time and you'll have a shot at the position.

What about teaching your native language in an English speaking country? or some other country? Are you interested in something like that?

Again, sorry about the long pause in replying.

Happy teaching,
Mark

Good advice from Mark there about sending your resume off anyway - often recruiters seem to want the world, but will settle for a lot less!

Have you done a TEFL course, as that might up your chances. A CELTA will give you the biggest chance of finding work, but an online course (esp if it's 100 hours or more) will definitely give you a leg-up. These sites might help: Cactus TEFL :: TEFL Course TEFL Jobs TEFL Advice and TEFL | TEFL Courses | TEFL Jobs | Teach English Abroad | Teaching English As A Foreign Language - Online TEFL.

I'd say though that Japan is one of the harder countries for non-natives to find work. I'd say to start your search in China - demand there is so massive that they'll very often make exceptions.

There's also a group on this community specifically for non-native speakers that you might want to check out: Non Native Speakers » i-to-i Chalkboard | TEFL and TESOL Community

Good luck!

hi guys
sorry for not replying earlier, I haven't seen your answers until now.

my nativ language is serbian, so I don't think that many people would be interested in learning it, besides I don't have the qualifications (I have only CELTA)

thanks for the links guys (hannah and mark) I'll definitely check them

mark I thought that it's practically impossible to find a position in japan if you don't come from an english speaking country

You might be right. I'm not sure, but give different places a shot and see what happens. you never know.

thanks. you're right😉

You guys won't believe it but I have seen a school that prefers near - native English speakers.

I totally believe it. I think L2 English speakers make great English teachers. They know what it takes to learn the language and how to get you there.

Denis DNT wrote:You guys won't believe it but I have seen a school that prefers near - native English speakers.

where is that school? do tell! ( pls)

mesmark wrote:I totally believe it. I think L2 English speakers make great English teachers. They know what it takes to learn the language and how to get you there.

I believe the non-native speaker who manages to master a foreign language is the best possible teacher for the students who speak his mother tongue because he knows what problems with learning it they will have

mesmark wrote:I totally believe it. I think L2 English speakers make great English teachers. They know what it takes to learn the language and how to get you there.

Yeah, you are right....but clients tend to ask for a native speaker, because they dont know much about this fact! 😞

helloooooooo!!!
i just saw all your posts! i am an english teacher too! i did the celta course and everything, now im looking for a job abroad but i dont know which places could be not so radical about passports. could someone give me advice? im bilingual (english and spanish) and i wouldnt mind teaching spanish too!! .
thanks for your help!

cheers!
Jorge

For a non native speaker, the best advice would be looking for a teaching job in your home country. Here in Colombia, English teachers are sometimes better paid than teachers of other subjects in private primary and secondary schools.

I agree, your home country is a good choice. Other than that, I know of several non-native teachers teaching English in Cambodia and vietnam. Unfortunately, they do get a bit lower salary though.

wi11iam wrote:I agree, your home country is a good choice. Other than that, I know of several non-native teachers teaching English in Cambodia and vietnam. Unfortunately, they do get a bit lower salary though.

How much is the salary for a non native teacher in those countries you mention?