1. Factual information: There isn't precisely a great reputation for English teachers in China. They're often viewed as "Losers Back Home" (LBH) by fellow expats, and it seems like they're facing discrimination from all angles.
Despite being the majority of expats in China, they can't shake off the negative perceptions surrounding their profession.
2.
So, why do people think English teachers in China are, well, not the best? One reason could be that it's ridiculously easy to get a job teaching English in China - like, ridiculously easy. You would assume the qualifications were for a Chinese New Year lottery ticket, given how minimal they are: "Hey, we need someone to teach English, and you get to be there for a year! Oh, and don't worry about that degree thing, we can totally overlook it." It's not uncommon to see job postings that don't even require a degree, because who needs credentials when you can just wing it, right? This lack of stringent qualifications can lead people to believe that anyone can do the job, and that it's not a "real" career - it's like the teaching equivalent of a participation trophy. And then there's the stereotypes surrounding English teachers in China, which, let's be real, are basically a laundry list of clichés: "Oh, they're all young, naive, and only in it for the paycheck, right?" But what about the ones who are actually passionate about teaching, and who put in the effort to create engaging lessons and help their students grow? Do they not exist? Apparently, not according to some people. The fact that many English teachers in China are actually foreigners may further contribute to the unfavorable impression, as there is still a sense that they are there merely to make quick money or to escape their "real" lives. But what about the ones who are actually invested in their students and the local culture? Do they not count? China is home to a vast number of qualified and driven English teachers, despite what some stereotypes and assumptions would have you believe. And then there are those who, well, are actually pretty brilliant at what they do, but aren't given enough credit because they're not teaching in a posh international school or they're not young and attractive. However, being a good teacher and a decent person aren't enough, is they? To meet the expectations of an English teacher, you should be young, beautiful, and ideally fluent in the language. You are just a regular mortal with no claim to dignity if you accomplish anything less. Unfortunately, these biases can have a detrimental effect on actual people's lives by making it more difficult for them to get work or earn respect in their industry.