Non-native speakers of English who want to teach in China will find that their options are  limited. A sad but true fact in China is that foreigners are often hired based on their looks with a much lower emphasis placed on actual teaching skill. Many schools will only hire teachers who look like they are from the West (or Australia and New Zealand) because of the advertising value. A school that employs a blue eyed, blonde hair foreigner for example, is going to attract more attention than hiring someone from Africa, Central and South America, or elsewhere in Asia. In addition, schools are wary of hiring non native speakers because they want their students to learn the native accent.

However, there is hope for non-native English speakers teachers who want to teach in China If you have a good degree and can demonstrate that your English is comprable to that of a native speaker’s you do have a fighting chance.  Just today, I was talking to a senior in highschool who told me that her English program employs two Philipino teachers. Schools may also hire non-native English speakers from European countries. A school that I worked for some years ago employed a couple from Spain and Germany.

In my observation, non-native English teachers have the best chance of finding jobs at universities and schools in big cities. A school in a small city that is only hiring one foreign teacher will probably not employ a non-native speaker.  Big schools in larger cities often employ multiple foreign teachers from various countries as they want their students to be exposed to all different varieties of English.

If you are applying for an English job as a non-native speaker, it is important to be upfront about where you are from.  It is equally important to be confident and to remind the school that your English grammar is probably better than that of a native English teacher. You should also emphasize any teaching experience that you have had in your own country and any traveling or contact with foreigners that has allowed you to practice your English.

Another suggestion is to go to China on a tourist Visa and seek jobs by talking to the employers directly. Schools that may be otherwise nervous about hiring a non-native speaker may be more comfortable if they can meet you in person. Make sure that you speak slowly because if prospective employers can’t understand you, they will assume that their students won’t be able to understand either. Again, it is important to let the school know that you are very confident about your English abilities and that your students will benefit from your classes.

While I can understand the “business aspect” of hiring a native English teacher, I do know that many great non-native teachers are passed up every year. I myself have talked with prospective non-native teachers who have near perfect English skills. In my opinion, a school should be more concerned about the teaching ability of a person as opposed to the color of their hair or their eyes. If you are looking for a job and having trouble, don’t give up! There are schools in China that hire non-native speakers so keep trying!