Teachers ‘treated like superstars’ in Asia

Posted 27 Oct 2009

Educators who teach English and other subjects abroad are treated like "superstars", according to a writer in Bangladesh.

Daily Star journalist Nury Vittachi said the "rock star teacher" phenomenon, which emerged in China in the 1990s and spread to other Asian nations, refers to after-school tutoring centres where teachers help students ‘top up’ their standard academic studies.

He added that his children currently attend such a centre – they went reluctantly at first, but "enthusiastically" by the end of their third week – and that subjects for study include English, science and mathematics.

Mr Vittachi added that teachers are often more highly regarded in Eastern cultures than they are in Western ones.

"In the nightmare school I barely survived in the UK, teachers were paid in table scraps and got chairs thrown at them. Now I live in Asia, where teachers are superstars who live in luxury," he wrote.

Those considering a TEFL course to teach English abroad may benefit from learning another language on their travels, while avoiding unemployment at home and enhancing their CV, according to Reach to Teach director of recruitment Richard Jones.

Speaking to the Guardian, he added that people from increasingly diverse backgrounds are beginning to register an interest in living and working abroad.

Category: TEFL Industry