Seriously…

Mix of small-scale violence and language learning = Coolest.child.immersion.program.ever.

BusinessWeek lists the pros and cons in a point/counterpoint feature.

After all, according to the Census Bureau’s March 2007 report, there are 37.9 million immigrants in the U.S. speaking 311 languages. Standardization of a language is necessary at some level, so why not start at the elementary one by saying “Hi, my name is Carlos” in English?

vs.

America was founded on the principle of fairness, of giving everyone a chance to make his or her own way in life—not on language skills. Immigrants who have fulfilled all the other requirements (good moral character, knowledge of U.S. civics and history, five years’ residency) should, like the ancestors of everyone in this country who is not a Native American, be allowed to become a U.S. citizen without fulfilling a stringent language requirement.

The point that is largely missed in that basic language skills are a requirement of citizenship.  More at issue is the standardization of testing and the definition of how rigorous should such a test be.  The fact is, English-testing for would be citizens varies tremendously in level and seriousness from locale to locale.  My wife just went through this whole process (and was just naturalized last week — congrats, honey!), so of late, I’ve been taking a close look at the whole process.  My wife went through a pretty middle-of-the-road level exam requiring her to demonstrate basic literacy (i.e., read a few sentences of text), and she took an oral interview test which doubled as the civics exam (i.e., questions about U.S. history and government).  However, another friend who took the exam some years back took stringent written exams (although, having largely grown up here, he wasn’t too concerned about the “English” portion on the test).  Friends in another part of the states have told me that their local USCIS office is “a joke” when it comes to testing, and that the center was ripe for a lawsuit charging discrimination in testing as the officials would pass Hispanics at any level of English proficiency (often administering the entire test in Spanish), whereas people of other origins had to complete the test in English (although, to be fair, they were supposedly equally lax in terms of what was considered to be a “passable” level of English fluency).  This was several years ago, and I can only hope that said office has cleaned up its act…

The point is that countries do have the right to define citizenship in whatever terms they want.  If you compare the requirements of the U.S. with other countries, we’re relatively easy-going about citizenship — only surpassed by Canada in overall relaxed-ness about naturalization.  We currently demand that most immigrants hold a green card for 5 years, reside in the US for most of that time, and then pass through an application process that includes a basic language and civics tests.  There are quite utilitarian reasons for having immigrants demonstrate language competency — especially in a participatory democracy.  In a country where people decide the direction and policies of government through the ballot, one can easily imagine the chaos that would engulf a system that had to cater to 311 different languages.  There’s a lot to be said for a unifying language that serves as an efficient means of disseminating news/information to all citizens.  Still, we can change the rules whenever it suits us.  If the majority of Americans ever felt that learning English was an undue burden on citizenship, we could ditch the rule.  To have a language requirement is not inherently unfair (as the con side of the article implies), and to not have said requirement is not inherently unfair (supposedly to the already-citizens).  The only inherent unfairness is if whatever regulation is unevenly or unfairly applied to different groups – whether that be due to differing geographic regions or due to nation of origin.  If we favor one group of immigrants over another — whether by waiving language requirements or (hint hint) allowing people who entered the country illegally to hop over into the line for naturalization — which others have waited patiently for (sometimes for years on end) to do so legally — we introduce an inherent unfairness into the system.

P.S. On a related note: bilingual services at the governmental level have always smacked me as unfair in the same way.  Case in point: at my wife’s naturalization ceremony, nearly all instructions were given in both English and Spanish.   Sometimes, this made complete sense — for instance, when directing the new citizens and their family/friends where to sit, one cannot readily assume that the people accompanying the new citizens would all speak English.  Being where we are in the SW USA, unsurprisingly about 2/3 of the people being naturalized were from Mexico, so the Spanish instructions to family and friends was probably both useful and (often) necessary.  However, the bilingual instructions continued at the front registration desk for naturalization ceremony participants.  This struck me as quite odd considering that all participants had just passed an English exam…  Additionally, I wondered what would happen if one of the other of the 21 nationalities represented there had requested service in their own language…  This is the quandary that many municipalities and government seats find themselves in.  On one hand, if you have resources (such as Spanish-speaking workers) who can improve communication with people coming for services, why not use them?  On the other hand, doesn’t that create a disparity between those who can be helped in their own language, and those who can’t?  My wife, as the only Chinese participant in her naturalization ceremony (I know…  just given world population, I was expecting there to be more than just her there…) neither expected nor received any Chinese support from anyone other than me (and, to be fair, another SE Asian friend who attended the event).   If there had been some sort of emergency, one wonders if she could sue them for not providing such support.  It sounds facetious, I know (honestly, I just don’t have the patience for litigation, anyway), but I suspect that the government is going to get into trouble someday for just such an issue.

I’m personally all for bilingual advertising and the like from private businesses.  That’s simply how to penetrate certain markets, and private industry has the right to refuse service or to provide service in whatever language they want (or are capable in).  Government services are a lot dicier because so many are de facto rights…  By providing native language support for some, they have twisted their own arm into providing it for all (note the signs offering interpreters in many govt. offices), but practically speaking, this is an untenable position.  Some day, either someone speaking a language that we can’t readily find an interpretor for, or someone in an emergency scenario wherein an interpreter can’t be found immediately is going to send the whole system down.  It would seem a lot easier and safer to expect English — at least from offices dealing primarily/only with citizens.

You know… Go to the Olymics… Catch some swimming events… Fencing… Attend Asia night… Even learn some Chinese…

Chinese language learning seems to be the most popular program in the Olympic Village. There is a special venue, always full of people, in the village to teach foreign athletes, coaches and officials how to read and writer Chinese, Kazinform refers to Xinhuanet.

It works in Europe too…

“If you want to go and live and work on the continent then - even if English is the language of business - you still need to be able to speak the language of your host country if you want to progress your career“

Sidenote: Go Luxembourg!!!!

The European Commission has claimed 50 per cent of the European population speak a foreign language, with 99 per cent of the Luxembourgish fluent in two or more.

“The first time I heard the Russian language it was like falling in love[.]”

Sigh…  I get that feeling whenever I watch Maria Sharapova play… (wait, that has nothing to do with language learning )

What does it take to make a living translating Mario?

Kind of the companion article to “teaching in Korea,” the major difference between the two being that I know what I’m talking about here…

When people ask me how to go abroad, the possibility of teaching English inevitably comes up, and from there, the next question is always “where.” While the short answer is “anywhere you please” (remember, one can make a living at teaching English here in the US where most of the population already speaks it, so nowhere is out of the question), but there are certainly areas where it is easier to find employment than others. Case in point, while some parts of Europe may be extremely inviting, note that, for North-Americans, the job-pickings are few indeed. While there will be the occasional school willing to hire you, the vast number of jobs in the ESL industry in Western Europe are held for EU nationals. The time and effort that it takes most Americans/Canadians to obtain a work-permit in the EU makes it immediately apparent why the schools are so reticent to take on N. American staff. The exceptions are the occasional school that emphasizes a N. American accent-model (really! they do exist — I worked for one in Madrid) or the really nasty frightening schools where no one with any real options in life would willingly work. Eastern Europe, for the record, seems to be more of an open market for English-natives of all stripes, but the real epicenter, so to speak, for N. American wannabe English teachers is East Asia. It’s lovely, exotic, carries some caché when regaling folks at the ol’ pub about your grand travelling adventures, often pays decently, and oh… did I mention??? Most destinations actually prefer the North American accent… (I mean, ridiculously so… I knew many a Brit in Japan who had had employers, in all seriousness, ask them to speak more “American” to students…)

Towards the end of educating the public on the various employment offerings available in the region, I’m going to slowly and sporadically (i.e., whenever I get around to/feel like it) give some information on potential sites for starting a career (or simply spending a year) teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Having already kicked off with the “big cahuna” of the TEFL industry — Korea, today we turn our sights to Taiwan.

Disclaimer: I’m about as partial a judge on the subject of Taiwan as you’re likely to find. After 4+ years in the country, and marrying a Taiwanese woman, I’m fairly sold on the place. If my description seems a little too rose-colored at any point, please keep that in mind….

Taiwan (also known as the Republic of China) quite possibly has one of the highest density EFL job markets in the world after S. Korea. The English instruction industry literally exploded in the 90’s, and one can barely walk a block in any major city without seeing 1-3 language schools. To be frank, the need for foreign teachers is nothing short of desperate, and because of that, Taiwan suffers many of the same ills as S. Korea — namely, dishonest schools that knowingly employ non-English natives or unqualified English natives. I have met people who could barely introduce themselves in English teaching “English” in kindergartens, as well as a motley collection of high school dropouts, alcoholics, and the like. If you’re sane, clean (at least “presentable”), and have a halfway decent work-ethic, it’s almost inconceivable to be in the country for more than a few days without securing a job. This is certainly a “go-and-see” country, job-wise. While Taiwanese schools are quite well represented on job forums such as eslcafe.com, it is highly recommendable to go first and find a job once you’re there, as the conditions on the ground in schools vary considerably. The bulk of jobs are in 1) kindergartens; and 2) buxiban (cram schools); but there are plenty of jobs in public/private schools at all levels of education. Pick an age range that you’re comfortable with, and start from there…

The minimum qualification in most cases is a bachelor degree (in anything) from a 4-year university (which, back in my day, had been known to give Brits, with their 3-year uni programs, some headaches with the Foreign Ministry, but my understanding is that things are going a bit smoother these days). A TOEFL or CELTA certificate is icing on the cake. A master degree may grant you a ticket to a university job. Mind you, not everyone works legally…. One common trick amongst the degree-less is to get their visa via studying at a university-level Chinese language program. While the visa scam is not something I can condone, I’d highly recommend looking into your Chinese study options, as it really helps to speak some of the local lingo. I went here, and can highly recommend it… If you end up in Taipei, this is the top-ranked Chinese-language program in the world.

Where to live: Most work (and thus most Westerners) exist on the west coast of the island. My opinion is that the decision really should come down to Taipei or Taichung. Taipei, as the capitol, has the excitement/activity edge that people who thrive on city-life will seek. Taichung, while actually Taiwan’s third biggest city, has more of a laid-back feel, and lots of international amenities. The climate in Taichung is the best in the country. While some people certainly go further south to Kaohsiung and Tainan, they are not as popular destinations by a long shot. Kaohsiung (where I’ve lived before) is a port city, and not all that exciting. Tainan is picturesque, but on the dull side. Both places are HOT! Still, proximity to Kenting (Taiwan’s own beach resort — a bit south of Kaohsiung) may be a deciding factor for you… The southern part of Taiwan is more “Taiwanese” — which is to say “traditional.” One tends to hear a lot more Taiwanese language (as opposed to Mandarin) here. The one other city of note is Hsinchu, which, to be honest, I’ve never known anyone to really enjoy. I go there because my sister-in-law lives there, and that’s about it… It does have a technology research park (they’re trying to make their own counterpart to Silicon Valley), so if you are an engineer, and think you may have a shot at plying your trade there, that would be the place to try.

Salary vs. cost of living: When I first went to Taiwan, the basic salary for teachers was about $1500USD. It has since risen to well over $2000, and seems to still be escalating. $24K/year hardly seems worth traveling across the Pacific for, until you factor in the cost of living. Taiwan can be incredibly cheap to live in… Mind you, depending upon lifestyle, it could also be incredibly expensive. A lot of my workmates lived paycheck to paycheck as they blew skads of cash in bars and westernized restaurants (which, granted, can be pricey), but if you develop a taste for the local cuisine, and you don’t have Paris Hilton taste, a single person could easily be living on around $500/month. Rent is the biggest expense (unlike Korea, one usually doesn’t get accommodations provided by the employer in Taiwan, though I’ve seen schools that offer dorms for teachers). If you live with roommates, one can reasonably expect to not spend a lot. When I first got married, my wife and I had a nice 3 bedroom/2 bath pad downtown overlooking a market for about $320/month. Three people could have easily shared the place and paid only a pittance each month. Eating is also inexpensive — dishes like fried rice usually go for between $1.50 and $2.50USD. While my wife was still in school, I regularly would take her “out on the town” for a grad total of $3-5 between us. Being so inexpensive, thus the savings potential is quite nice. For most young people, outside of high-paying professions like law, medicine, and engineering, being able to easily save $1000+/month is indeed tempting.

Some links to learn more:

Michael Turton’s Blog : rather comprehensive account of the EFL scene in Taiwan

Taiwan Job Discussion Board

The local Taiwanese job search board of choice

The “What’s Happenin’” magazine of Taiwan

Does “New Oriental” ring a bell with anyone?  I’ve heard of it, but I never had a clue it was this big…  Apparently, for Mainland Chinese, it is the preparation center of choice for those who aspire to study in the U.S. and Canada.  As I read the article, I found myself wondering what wonderful teaching technique they were using to prepare people for life abroad that would resonate so well with Chinese students.  Then I hit the money quote:

“New Oriental is about the test, the test, the test. … They teach you how to get a good score. If you want to go abroad, you need a good score.”

Got it…  It’s a test preparation school…  They are geared specifically for teaching GRE and TOEFL.

“People just want to go abroad. People have money to do so, and parents and relatives are supportive. But to do so, they need good test scores. Once they get here, they can try and improve their true English skills.”

While a part of me bucks up against such an attitude, it is a viable order of events.  Being a language teacher, I am immersed in the idea of language fluency being the central component by which study abroad becomes a useful (and dare I say enjoyable) experience, but one could reasonably expect to “just go” and then work on the language once one has already secured a position in the desired country of study.  This is to say that the New Oriental “philosophy” of study abroad isn’t deceptive, by any means, but I do worry that (especially for TOEFL) this continued emphasis on test scores at the expense of linguistic and cultural knowledge will cause more students to come with less preparation for the actual study abroad experience, which will lead to worse overall experiences for those students.  If one of the important components in study abroad is “fostering mutual understanding,” these types of programs seem designed to short-circuit those goals…

Via Chinese Blog. Cute, if somewhat dorky presentation (the music’s gotta go!)… Still a must-listen for beginning learner’s of Chinese. You won’t get very far until you master the tones…

In preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games, Transparent Language is launching a new “Chinese word of the day” feature.   Gimmicky, sure…  But cute and useful…  Click the link to check it out.  Press release here.  Also check out the “Chinese Blog.”