Ive been thinking of TEFL in SE Asia but the discussion of racism has me concerned.
Im mixed but I "look" probably puerto rican if I had to make a comparison...brown skin.
How big of an issue is this really in the SE Asian areas? Ive been thinking of Vietnam but I've heard so much negativity regarding race on youtube, etc regarding peoples experiences teaching not only in Vietnam but SE Asia in general.
For every positive experience you read online you see 10 more negative ones. I suppose that's just the way the internet works but it creates unease since its such a big decision to make the jump.
Any helpful opinions on this please? Total noob to TEFL
The talk of racism in TEFL online
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Re: The talk of racism in TEFL online
To provide further context:
I am born and raised in the good ol' USA.
I have lived and been around small town USA/out in the country for many years so racism is nothing new. Unless you look like yosemite sam your not really gonna fit into small town USA... thats just the facts.
The thing is... people stories about TEFL in SE Asia being african etc make it seem like its flat out not worth your time flying out to TEFL.
I have thick skin and have been exposed to extreme racism in the USA but is it really just as bad in SE Asia in terms of hiring practices and overall treatment? Stories make it sound like KKK levels of hate if your not a white skin english speaker.
I am born and raised in the good ol' USA.
I have lived and been around small town USA/out in the country for many years so racism is nothing new. Unless you look like yosemite sam your not really gonna fit into small town USA... thats just the facts.
The thing is... people stories about TEFL in SE Asia being african etc make it seem like its flat out not worth your time flying out to TEFL.
I have thick skin and have been exposed to extreme racism in the USA but is it really just as bad in SE Asia in terms of hiring practices and overall treatment? Stories make it sound like KKK levels of hate if your not a white skin english speaker.
Re: The talk of racism in TEFL online
Heck, I know one day we would really get to the bottom of it all. Quite good for people to speak out so we can get the real portrait of this business after all.
I had thought that the principal reason for the "native" scheme was only political socioeconomic power, but now it is getting clearer with the inclusion of racism, which can well be the principal undercover for everything. What a pity. I thought the dream of Martin Luther King was in the past. However some people still seem to be shaking his tomb with terrible earthquakes. I refuse to believe in Bob Marley`s saying that there will not be peace while mankind is judged by the color of his eyes and skin. I do prefer Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama or Nelson Mandela.
I had thought that the principal reason for the "native" scheme was only political socioeconomic power, but now it is getting clearer with the inclusion of racism, which can well be the principal undercover for everything. What a pity. I thought the dream of Martin Luther King was in the past. However some people still seem to be shaking his tomb with terrible earthquakes. I refuse to believe in Bob Marley`s saying that there will not be peace while mankind is judged by the color of his eyes and skin. I do prefer Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama or Nelson Mandela.
Re: The talk of racism in TEFL online
[
size=150]Racism is a BIG quiet problem in China. The Chinese do not admit they are racists and when you confront them about it, they simply claim that every person, every culture, and every community has "preferences"! Although they believe they are superior to races of color, they are not hateful racists. They will not use ethnic slurs nor make natsy remarks, they simply avoid contact with people of color, and avoid hiring them whenever possible. Conversely they love and hire as many blonde hair blue-eyed foreign teachers, whether they are qualified or not. Go figure. In 2019, more than 80% of the Africans working in China were rounded up and deported. It seems only the diplomatic corps of African embassies escape the scourge of racism[/size]
https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/ar ... utcry-over
size=150]Racism is a BIG quiet problem in China. The Chinese do not admit they are racists and when you confront them about it, they simply claim that every person, every culture, and every community has "preferences"! Although they believe they are superior to races of color, they are not hateful racists. They will not use ethnic slurs nor make natsy remarks, they simply avoid contact with people of color, and avoid hiring them whenever possible. Conversely they love and hire as many blonde hair blue-eyed foreign teachers, whether they are qualified or not. Go figure. In 2019, more than 80% of the Africans working in China were rounded up and deported. It seems only the diplomatic corps of African embassies escape the scourge of racism[/size]
https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/ar ... utcry-over
Before taking any teaching job in China make a quick visit over to https://reddit.com/r/ChinaScamCentral and https://reddit.com/r/TEFLreviews so your dream job does not become a nightmare.
Re: The talk of racism in TEFL online
China is not SE Asia, so having travelled around SE Asia and worked in Thailand here’s your answer. Yes, there is overt racism and it’s not hidden. Outside the west political correctness is largely unknown and all the other isms also come into play. It’s not a hatred as often in the west, it’s simply a difference in looks. In SE Asia multi-coloured eyes, fair/blonde hair and conservative dress is the passport to success.
Remember that in SE Asia you will be judged on appearance rather than ability. That’s just the way it is. Filipino’s for example whose English is often excellent, are legally paid around half the going rate of white native English speakers. Why? They just don’t look the part of English speakers.
That’s not to say you won’t get a job if you’re coloured, but it will be at the bottom end of TEFL in the private language centres and poorly paid.
Remember that in SE Asia you will be judged on appearance rather than ability. That’s just the way it is. Filipino’s for example whose English is often excellent, are legally paid around half the going rate of white native English speakers. Why? They just don’t look the part of English speakers.
That’s not to say you won’t get a job if you’re coloured, but it will be at the bottom end of TEFL in the private language centres and poorly paid.
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