Native English Speaker Wanted. (Must Look the Part.)

Inside the hiring bias that sorts English teachers by face and passport.

Through my window. Photograph by author, 2026.

“Needed only Native English Speaking teacher for 2 positions.” I’ve seen some version of that line so many times that I barely register it anymore. This time the school was in my hometown, and the salary was a little better than what I’m making now. I went down the list of qualifications and checked off every single one.

For a moment I let myself think this one might work out. It would have meant a job back home in the South, doing work I already do, for a little more than I earn now. The ad asked for a résumé and a video introducing myself, sent to a Gmail address. That isn’t unusual here, but with so many scams going around, I’d have felt better about sending my personal information to someone with a company or a school email. So before recording anything, I wrote back and asked whether I could call and speak to someone.

The reply came almost immediately, and judging by the typos, in a hurry. “If you interested please send resume and video introduce yourself to us. Please note that our schooled need only English Native Speaker.”

I read it twice. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it, and I was tired of acting as though I didn’t know what it meant. Out of…