![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-22-at-14.47.26-1.png?resize=475%2C512&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nJob advertisements for international\nschools regularly specify applications by Native\nEnglish Speakers (NES)<\/strong>. The definition is itself is dishonest, as the\ncommonly used NES job requirement only applies to 10 countries (Australia,\nCanada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the 4 countries of the United\nKingdom and the United States).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 54 countries<\/a> have English as their official language and 43 are ignored as NES. The United States does not even have English as its official language. Yet job advertisements from recruiters and international schools can be written like this without sanction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why are advertisements phrased this way?\nOne explanation is the historic, systemic bias in the NES definition to stop\nBlack and other People of Colour from applying for teaching roles. Using data\nfrom the CIA World Factbook<\/a>, the 10 NES countries\nlisted in this job ad have a population identifying as white (on average) of 75.5%.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 43 other countries with English as\ntheir official language, not mentioned in the job ad and deliberately ignored\nby the NES definition, have a population identifying as white of 6.8%<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This may just be a coincidence, but notice this ad puts the discriminatory country of birth requirement ahead of both qualifications and experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dismissively called Non-Native English Speakers (NNES)<\/strong>, international teachers from\noutside the 10 preferred countries do not even have the chance to prove whether\ntheir skills, qualifications and experience are sufficiently matched by their\nEnglish language ability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The onus on reforming the system falls to those who benefit, particularly those educators, school leadership and recruiters, including me, who have the \u2018right\u2019 passport. NES must be banished from all job ads and hiring practices in international schools. My next post (The Native English Speaker Teaching Scam ‘Part 2’) will address how to overcome the four main barriers used to defend the systemic bias in international teaching recruitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oliver\nEscott is the Director and Co-founder of <\/em>Staffroom<\/em><\/a>, whose core purpose is to help teachers create a job and life they\ndream about. We provide international teacher career coaching and support\nservices. Our products include the <\/em>$1 Job Club<\/em><\/a>, a curated list of progressive\ninternational schools and recruiters. We are active advocates of NNES teachers\nand are passionate about creating the same job opportunities for all\ninternational teachers. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There is a clear form of racism – based on your country of origin – apparent in international teaching today. Recruiting educators can be based on their passport, rather than their skills, qualifications and experience. This is discrimination that everyone involved in international teaching must protest and actively renounce. The issue is as blatant as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[9],"tags":[2839,33,2840,2837,2838,2633],"class_list":["post-8234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-discussion-topics","tag-discrimination","tag-international-teaching","tag-job-requirements","tag-native-english-speaker","tag-racism","tag-recruiters"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-22-at-14.47.26-1.png?fit=1422%2C1532&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2flVT-28O","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8244,"url":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/the-native-english-speaker-teaching-scam-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":8234,"position":0},"title":"The Native English Speaker Teaching Scam #2","author":"ISCommunity","date":"February 7, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"My previous blog post (The Native English Teaching Scam #1) described the deceptive and possibly racist distinction between Native English Speakers (NES) and Non-Native English Speakers (NNES) in international teaching job ads. Even if this distinction could be rectified, what advantage does an NES have over an NNES teacher in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Discussion Topics"","block_context":{"text":"Discussion Topics","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/category\/discussion-topics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/art-2026073_1280.png?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/art-2026073_1280.png?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/art-2026073_1280.png?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/art-2026073_1280.png?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/art-2026073_1280.png?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8308,"url":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/lgbt-friendly-insight-into-12-international-schools-and-their-countries\/","url_meta":{"origin":8234,"position":1},"title":"Is Your New Workplace a LGBTQ+ Friendly International School?","author":"ISCommunity","date":"March 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"It could very well be that you are going to an LGBTQ+ Friendly International School, but your host country culture is not.","rel":"","context":"In "Discussion Topics"","block_context":{"text":"Discussion Topics","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/category\/discussion-topics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Screenshot-2024-01-19-at-10.46.26-1.png?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Screenshot-2024-01-19-at-10.46.26-1.png?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Screenshot-2024-01-19-at-10.46.26-1.png?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Screenshot-2024-01-19-at-10.46.26-1.png?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Screenshot-2024-01-19-at-10.46.26-1.png?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1274,"url":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/highlighted-article-which-languages-are-the-hardest-to-learn\/","url_meta":{"origin":8234,"position":2},"title":"Highlighted article: Which languages are the hardest to learn?","author":"ISCommunity","date":"June 12, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"A look at which languages are easiest and most difficult for English speakers to pick up. \"The foreign service institute of the United States Department of State compiles learning expectations for many languages based on the amount of time it takes a native English speaker to achieve speaking and reading\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Highlighted Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Highlighted Articles","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/category\/highlighted-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.files.wordpress.com\/2012\/06\/screen-shot-2012-06-12-at-10-39-19-pm.png?w=350&h=200&crop=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7976,"url":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/why-is-there-not-enough-diversity-of-educators-in-international-schools-today-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":8234,"position":3},"title":"Why is there not enough diversity of educators in international schools today?","author":"ISCommunity","date":"July 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As an international teacher of color and proud TCK (Third Culture Kid), I often find myself being the only one or part of a minority group of teachers who are not the \u2018standard\u2019 international teacher, who fits the profile as \u2018native speaker, western, and light-skinned\u2019. The question that often arose\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Discussion Topics"","block_context":{"text":"Discussion Topics","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/category\/discussion-topics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/hands-1939895_1280.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/hands-1939895_1280.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/hands-1939895_1280.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/hands-1939895_1280.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/hands-1939895_1280.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1534,"url":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/comments-and-information-about-hiring-policies-on-international-school-community-7-intl-school-of-kl-escola-internacional-de-alphaville-guangdong-country-garden-school\/","url_meta":{"origin":8234,"position":4},"title":"Comments and information about hiring policies on International School Community #7: Int\u2019l School of KL, Escola Internacional de Alphaville & Guangdong Country Garden School","author":"ISCommunity","date":"December 10, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Comments and information about hiring policies on\u00a0International School Community: Every week members are leaving information and comments about the hiring policies at international schools around the world.\u00a0 Which ones go to the Search Associates Recruitment Fairs?\u00a0 Which ones hold interviews over Skype?\u00a0 Which ones have hiring restrictions imposed on them\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hiring Policies at Int\u2019l Schools"","block_context":{"text":"Hiring Policies at Int\u2019l Schools","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/category\/hiring-policies-at-intl-schools\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"index","src":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.files.wordpress.com\/2012\/12\/index.jpg?w=350&h=200&crop=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8886,"url":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/selecting-an-international-school-tip-1-local-vs-international-school-systems\/","url_meta":{"origin":8234,"position":5},"title":"Selecting an International School Tip #1: Local vs. International School Systems","author":"ISCommunity","date":"September 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"What reasons do parents think about when selecting a school for their children when they move abroad? Are they similar reasons why teachers choose to work at a school abroad as well?\u00a0 Many international school teachers are in teaching couples that have children.\u00a0 There are also international school teachers that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "12 Tips for Selecting an Int'l School"","block_context":{"text":"12 Tips for Selecting an Int'l School","link":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/category\/12-tips-for-selecting-an-intl-school\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/high-school-gc67acbf97_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/high-school-gc67acbf97_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/high-school-gc67acbf97_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/high-school-gc67acbf97_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/high-school-gc67acbf97_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8234\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/internationalschoolcommunity.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Screen-Shot-2021-01-22-at-14.46.10.png?resize=295%2C512&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n