[leghk]

The title is a bit strong but it got your attention. I get the feeling (no real evidence) that teachers are looked down upon by the rest of the expat community.
Anyone got any views on this?

[ontheroad]

What's a NET? And no, teachers aren't looked down on at all. Where are you getting this?

[hullexile]

Native English Teacher.

If you have no evidence then why on earth post it?

[leghk]

Native English Teacher.

Just a general feeling I have from living here for the last 2 years, talking to expats, reading different forums etc.

[jimbo]

I wouldn't say that they are looked down upon no, I know quite a few and they are cool people to know, They work hard and party hard and nothing wrong with that.

[hullexile]

Nothing I have ever heard or read to support this view. Less flack for them here than in the UK I would have thought, where they seem to be regarded as the cause of all evil by some of the press.

[KnowItAll]

Hardly the case of NET's ... probably your "English Teacher" ...

Lots of NETs here on the site ... and some of them are even good friends.

[leghk]

Originally Posted by hullexile

Native English Teacher.

If you have no evidence then why on earth post it?

Sorry, should have said no hard evidence to hand. I have worked as a NET here for 2 years and just the impression I get and was interested to see if it was shared. Maybe I hang around with the wrong crowd!!!

Someone stated on another forum recently that the tightening of the visa regulations was down to lazy, incompetant ET's. Searching now to try and find the exact quote.

[leghk]

The actual quote was "Looks like the Chinese government is starting to get really serious about eliminating the deadbeats and bums coming here to teach English."

Was written about the mainland, but wondered if people had encountered similar views here.

[Claire ex-ax]

I don't believe that refers to NETs, who have to be qualified to teach and who should know the difference between "NET's" and "NETs".

Pre-97, Hong Kong saw many, many backpackers who passed through and made some money "teaching" English. It's quite likely some still do but a number of language schools don't bother to apply for employment visas. Perhaps the comment was made in reference to the backpacker types...