The Globalization of Canada’s Knowledge Industry: English Language Teaching in Asia

Abstract

This study, based on surveys in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, looks at various aspects of the life of native-speaking English teachers (NSETs). It demonstrates that different policies and institutional structures, such as program missions/goals, eligibility requirements and policies on salary and benefits, have significant implications on the participations of NSETs in these programs in terms of age range, satisfaction with salaries, value to their participants, and interactions with local teachers. The study demonstrates that NSETs have developed a greater understanding of not only the host Asian country and culture but also their home countries and culture through their experience of teaching English in Asia. The majority of NSETs have also reported that their experience of teaching English in Asia has helped them became more global in their outlook.