thoughts after the first week of school

In China, WHITE English native speakers are always preferred, WHITE non-native speakers come next, then non-white teachers (native speakers or not) come last.  Filipino teachers and other non-white teachers are usually the ones dispatched to teach in far flung places where no white English native speakers would like to go.  White teachers are also paid more. In short, your color is also important in getting a decent teaching job in China. This prejudice had somehow left a complex in me that when I got a teaching job here in Austria, I doubted whether I would be accepted by my pupils’ parents or not.

Native speakers are also preferred here in Austria but they don’t care about your color. Prominent language schools like Berlitz and Goethe Institute hire native speakers regardless of their race. I think that is about fair.

The learning center where I work at is however, special. Sure, they would be happy if you’re a native speaker but you should also meet the other requirement. Fluency in English and the ability to teach well are given more importance than simply having English as mother tongue.

Honestly speaking I was terrified that the parents won’t like me because I am not an English native speaker and I didn’t learn how to speak English in recognized English speaking countries (like all of my co-teachers).

As a rule, the learning center where I work at conducts trial lessons where in parents can observe a particular teacher teach their children. If they like the lesson (and the teacher) they will enroll their kids. If they’re still interested but don’t like the teacher, they will request for another trial lesson with a different teacher.

I’ve been doing trial lessons all week in addition to regular lessons and I am glad that the parents are happy with the way I teach. Not one moment in all of my trails lessons did I feel that the parents are disappointed because I am a non-native speaker or because I am brown. Two mothers even asked me if I also do private tutoring.

So far, the parents I met are quite nice. And my pupils? My pupils are just so cute! I made hundreds of mental pictures of their curious faces looking at me while their tiny bodies imitate all my moves.  All things considered, I enjoyed the first week of the school even if it was really stressful and right now… I am sincerely looking forward to the second week.