Expat salary

**harryyy** · 11-07-12, 19:08

Originally Posted by wombat

And harryyy's answer above about supply and demand is more or less the answer. But that leads to a further question of why there is a demand for foreign teachers? What makes foreign teachers highly sought after? That is the fundamental question.

Didn't I answer that? There is a higher demand for foreign teachers as they are supposedly more proficient at teaching their own language.

**ricky_id** · 12-07-12, 00:00

Premium quality comes more often at a premium price.

**itinerantman** · 12-07-12, 13:58

Originally Posted by harryyy

Didn't I answer that? There is a higher demand for foreign teachers as they are supposedly more proficient at teaching their own language.

"supposedly" being the operative word here. i know native speakers whose grammar & spelling are atrocious by any standards,who,on the basis of their passports, are permitted to "teach" their version of mutilated english to unsuspecting south east asian students. i also know of extremely talented and proficient non native english teachers who are denied this privilige-c'est la vie

**Tudor** · 12-07-12, 14:53

Originally Posted by itinerantman

"supposedly" being the operative word here. i know native speakers whose grammar & spelling are atrocious by any standards,who,on the basis of their passports, are permitted to "teach" their version of mutilated english to unsuspecting south east asian students. i also know of extremely talented and proficient non native english teachers who are denied this privilige-c'est la vie

And the reverse is also true; I've worked alongside non-native teachers whose English is of a lower standard than some of their students, but who seem to think that having an intermediate-level of English entitles them to teach the language. Perhaps it would be better if employers looked beyond looks (not just skin colour, but "attractiveness" as well) and employed teachers based on their standard of English, their competence in the classroom and their qualifications.

**harryyy** · 12-07-12, 20:23

Originally Posted by itinerantman

"supposedly" being the operative word here. i know native speakers whose grammar & spelling are atrocious by any standards,who,on the basis of their passports, are permitted to "teach" their version of mutilated english to unsuspecting south east asian students. i also know of extremely talented and proficient non native english teachers who are denied this privilige-c'est la vie

haha yes, but the perception is that foreigners will be better teachers. regardless of whether they are or not, students will pay for them. i do agree with the poster who says that it should 100% be based on their expertise though - having a celta should be the minimum, regardless of nationality.

**Donkk** · 12-07-12, 21:48

i got me one of them there celta's nows my english are the best...wkwkwk.. ooppps theres that darn duck ageans!

**boraborasands** · 29-07-12, 02:46

I agree with you!!!!
Especially in Thailand as well, non native are not welcomed at all...
As well the level is somewhat much lower than in an urban area such as Jakarta or key cities on Java.

Originally Posted by itinerantman

"supposedly" being the operative word here. i know native speakers whose grammar & spelling are atrocious by any standards,who,on the basis of their passports, are permitted to "teach" their version of mutilated english to unsuspecting south east asian students. i also know of extremely talented and proficient non native english teachers who are denied this privilige-c'est la vie

**akutonpa** · 29-07-12, 13:05

Originally Posted by boraborasands

I agree with you!!!!
Especially in Thailand as well, non native are not welcomed at all...
As well the level is somewhat much lower than in an urban area such as Jakarta or key cities on Java.

This not being a case in point, or is it?

**Onika Jade** · 02-09-12, 19:38

I worked in an International School before, in Jakarta. The salary for fresh-grad native speakers were 3 to 4 times compared to 10 years experienced Indonesian teachers with a degree and TESOL certificate. The reason why many Indonesian teachers couldn't get CELTA because they need to take a month of from work and the cost is 20 million (it's like their life-time savings). I believe many Indonesian teachers felt like in a small corner. It's their country but they couldn't make a comfortable living. The one that fully responsible is the government for not controlling the human resource market. They should've put some boundaries to the issues, or Indonesian will be rated as a low wage target for good.

**Donkk** · 03-09-12, 11:34

Originally Posted by Onika Jade

I worked in an International School before, in Jakarta. The salary for fresh-grad native speakers were 3 to 4 times compared to 10 years experienced Indonesian teachers with a degree and TESOL certificate. The reason why many Indonesian teachers couldn't get CELTA because they need to take a month of from work and the cost is 20 million (it's like their life-time savings). I believe many Indonesian teachers felt like in a small corner. It's their country but they couldn't make a comfortable living. The one that fully responsible is the government for not controlling the human resource market. They should've put some boundaries to the issues, or Indonesian will be rated as a low wage target for good.

The degree system only works if you can limit the people who have them, the easiest way to do that it to keep the price high. The certificate programs are for the people who don't have money or are not willing to put in the time or just don't know better. this is why we have the pay difference from course to international school.

Locals well always make less and have a harder time as the westerner are perceived to be better (this has been so for a very long time and only a few know the truth, the same as older teachers have a hard time to find jobs (young is perceived to be better this is a new thing).