Glasgow Accents An Advantage

Feb. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Glaswegians seeking a change of scenery are at a distinct advantage, according to a new study published this week.

Northumbria University found that Glaswegian accents are the most socially attractive to Japanese students learning English, beating out standard Scottish English and American accents, among others.  Glaswegian and other native versions of English were also rated highly for their prestige among foreign learners, reflecting the worldwide demand for students to learn English from British people.   Scots from all sorts of backgrounds are using this asset in new careers across the globe.

Joe Hallwood, founder of TEFL Scotland (http://www.teflscotland.co.uk/),  the national leader in training people to teach English abroad, said “The massive number of opportunities for English teachers abroad makes teaching English an attractive option for Scots, especially in the current economic climate.  Many countries don’t require any qualifications beyond fluent English and a TEFL certificate, and it’s possible to qualify in as little as one weekend.  We are constantly asked to recruit our students for teaching positions in Spain, China, Eastern Europe and other huge markets for learning English”.

Michelle Size from Bathgate trained with TEFL Scotland over one weekend and has been teaching in Japan since 2009, drawn by the secure contract, excellent salary and benefits such as free flights and accommodation.  She found that students were keen to learn not just from her language skills, but about her home country, saying “it's really good for cultural exchange as I get to tell them about Scotland and the United Kingdom”.
At this rate, perhaps Chewin’ the Fat boxsets will sit side by side with the Oxford English Dictionary in classrooms around the world!

Visit the TEFL Scotland website at http://www.teflscotland.co.uk/ for more details

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About TEFL Scotland:
TEFL Scotland offers TEFL courses and jobs for teaching English abroad. Our internationally recognised courses train thousands every year, from bricklayers to barristers, and helps them find fulfilling careers abroad. TEFL courses run across Scotland and online, with government funding available.