Hi there.
Though English is not my primary language, it is a language I have used quite often in many different settings for a long time, including professional or formal settings, and I often use English more than my native language: one may as well call it in my case almost a primary language or near-native. In fact, though I might have my own accent, it comes close to an American one (and to some extent I can imitate accents and dialects). I have also investigated to certain extents different schools and other Asian countries, that stickied blacklist, threads on reddit, Visa information, corona virus measures, amounts of money to bring, et cetera. But even if this is so, and even though people (for example in my own country) have often commented very positively on my CV, I too have read about that so-called discrimination occurring in certain parts of Asia, including Taiwan. (Overall, I still thought and think that Taiwan is probably the best option if it ever comes down to it.)
I am from a European country, and at first I do not look white. I suppose this might be a problem. I have seen many a post on this here forum, have read things on many internet sites, and you name it, but now I finally come here to see what you people more experienced in these matters will write.
Disregarding of course for the moment the corona virus and its negative influence, how much of a problem might it be these days if a non-native English speaker would apply to a school where they require at least a Bachelor’s Degree (possibly with a TEFL certificate), while I at least have one and a TEFL certificate? (Some of the information I found is old. From what I can tell by distance and by reasoning, the situation concerning race and hiring is probably better, but still not what it is supposed to be.)
I have been eyeing and thinking about a few schools that I might approach, simply not caring about their preference that the teacher be a native from one of the typically respected countries (and presumably white), because I know that my qualities and personality are more important. But if some director has no care for this at all, then what?
What a fatiguing process it has been to traverse all that information so far, and to have been very serious about getting the TEFL certificate before that, only to discover that Asia is so discriminatory! What a fatiguing thing it has been to make preparations, and to have to suddenly think about matters of race, which I never or hardly did before.
Ugh, now that I’m here writing, why not complain about some of the things I read? Ugh, some of the reports I saw from people who had gotten messed up somehow by idiots, aggressors, discriminators, deceivers, people who suddenly changed into mad loonies. Are many Taiwanese schools truly that messed up?
Thanks in advance for your responses and stay safe.