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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

English teacher acting inappropriately in a foreign country.

83 replies

ohyesohno · 26/08/2020 19:02

I've lived in the UK for most of my adult live but I am still very much involved with my home country, which is in Asia. I have recently come across a social media account of an English guy teaching English to kids in my home town. Putting aside that the guy should not be teaching grammar to anyone as he can barely write himself, in many photos he is very close to children, mainly young girls, touching and hugging them, which would be considered completely inappropriate in the local culture. A recent photo made it to the social media account of an activist working with victims of sexual violence. The picture was too upsetting to post it, but suffice to say it would raise more than a few eyebrows here in the UK. In response, the 'teacher' has recorded a defiant message calling out 'disgusting behaviour of disgusting people' and threatened the activist with his lawyers - the video and the photo have since been deleted.
There is no way he would behave like this here in the UK. He is taking advantage of the fact that in my country people are more trusting, less aware of sexual predators and the regulations are not as strict. The role of a 'cool foreigner' allows him to do things that they would not accept from a local man of the same age. Being British he must be aware that what he is doing is inappropriate - and this is only judging from photos he posted online, god knows what happens in the classroom. Even giving him the full benefit of doubt, what he does is dangerous as he is teaching children not to respect boundaries or value their personal space etc.
We have already alerted the authorities back home and he will be investigated. I am slightly worried that they may not be able to do much in the absence of 'actual' crime and that parents are unlikely to complain in order to avoid unnecessary publicity for the kids. In any case, we are doing what we can.
AIBU to think that I should be able to do more? is there anything I can do in the UK to stop him from working with children in the future? Presumably, he can always move to another country and start again even if we succeed back home?

OP posts:
LinoVentura · 26/08/2020 21:36

@TheSeedsOfADream

It's unlikely that his school is regulated by the BC as they inspect and regulate schools in the UK mostly. If he's a common or garden EFL teacher he's more likely to be working for a cowboy organisation that makes no checks whatsoever. I have had a teacher (in the UK) rock up to begin his employment with us and request immediately to work only with a certain group of students which set alarm bells off. He didn't last a week with us. I've also had a teacher obsessed with girls from a certain country and a certain ethnic origin. Sadly, it's a highly unregulated business we're in, and all too often in the 27 years I've been doing the job you come across teachers for whom actual teaching is the last thing on their mind. If you know the name of the school you could contact them?
This. International language schools etc are often owned by people whose only priority is the profit margin and are happy to hire any foreigner who happens to land on their doorstep. Horrible but true.

Nonetheless contacting the school could have some impact. It shouldn't need mentioning but pointing out that his English is crap might also have some influence. Obviously the previous recommendations here are also worth following. You could also try to find out what qualifications he has - if it's a reputable body then they may well be interested too.

Well done OP for doing something about it.

CaptainNelson · 26/08/2020 21:46

I agree with @TheSeedsOfADream and @LinoVentura. Contact the school where he works and inform them of your concerns. Unless the school is regulated by the British Council, there is no point in contacting them as they have no jurisdiction or powers to do anything. Well done OP for reporting this and trying to act. It does sound extremely suspicious and alarming.

ScarMatty · 26/08/2020 21:51

[quote WaltzingBetty]@ScarMatty
Since you think the OP should be turning a blind eye to potential grooming and child abuse I don't suppose many people in this thread give a shiny shit about your opinion.

Or You're just here to be goady and derail. In which case, Why not watch telly instead eh? Save MN the job of having to check you out later. You surely can't be so dull and friendless that taunting strangers on the internet is actually fun for you surely? [/quote]
And yet here you are, getting a bit of fun out of replying to me.

Original poster
ohyesohno · 26/08/2020 21:52

With regards to contacting the school - he owns the school, which consists of him and young local girl, who he calls 'cupcake', 'hot' etc.

I will follow every single piece of advice on this thread. I will contact the British Council, the Embassy, I will ask my friends who are properly qualified English teachers in the country to look into him and report him to the qualification body. I am not sure about the police, but I will ask the British Embassy for advice.

OP posts:
farmertom · 26/08/2020 21:57

I work with the police. Go to the police, they will listen, this needs reporting.
If you've showed the photo to friends does this mean you have a screenshot?

Well done OP.

thetrees · 26/08/2020 21:58

This is deeply concerning, well done for doing what you can.

MaxNormal · 26/08/2020 21:58

I think the thing is there are some people who genuinely couldn't give a shit about what happens to children abroad.They view them as lesser than British children as there's a huge attitude that as long as it's not happening on British soil, it's not our problem.It'sgusting

Exactly this.

ChunkFunkSunk · 26/08/2020 21:59

I am assuming you are saying not sure about local police abroad? Based on my experience of dealing with similar with local police - evidence was destroyed so do be a bit careful particularly if you are in a country where corruption is prominent.

Please do go to UK Police, NCA and CEOP

justilou1 · 26/08/2020 22:00

Your last message alone is enough to base a
report to anyone you can on!! Ew!!! I’m so pleased you did!

WaltzingBetty · 26/08/2020 22:04

@ohyesohno

With regards to contacting the school - he owns the school, which consists of him and young local girl, who he calls 'cupcake', 'hot' etc.

I will follow every single piece of advice on this thread. I will contact the British Council, the Embassy, I will ask my friends who are properly qualified English teachers in the country to look into him and report him to the qualification body. I am not sure about the police, but I will ask the British Embassy for advice.

He sounds disgusting OP, glad you're pursuing this well done 👍🏻
WitchesNStuff · 26/08/2020 22:05

I posted a thread before about a safeguarding incident and whilst the majority of posters confirmed what I thought and that I should report what I knew but there were one or two who basically said mind your own business/how do you know the family etc. The reason I had posted in the 1st place is that a friend said I was wrong to report. As always on MN there was that one poster who didn't bother to read the OP/thread properly and gave me abuse about not reporting (even though I had).

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and you should always report. It is the role of the authorities to investigate it but if you are worried then report.

funnylittlefloozie · 26/08/2020 22:06

There is a section of the Sexual Offences Act that specifically covers British citizens offending abroad. It was written for situations like this. I would contact CEOP. There may not be much they can do - or this may be a crucial piece of the puzzle. At least you will know you didnt turn a blind eye.

GingerScallop · 26/08/2020 22:07

OP, I don't know where you are from but I have been to Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and this behaviour is not uncommon. And yes, some westerners even flaunt it in public or in forums online. Open not dark web forums. Quite a few of these now have "Don't look away, say something" campaigns. Please report it to police, UN Women or alert influential persons that you know back home. In another country, me and a friend were blatantly offered a girl to buy on an hourly or daily basis as we pleased. We reported to UN Women and they triggered an investigation. You have more info than we had so Hopefully it can be investigated.
Those effectively saying turn a blind eye. Wow, I wonder if they would say that if it was the UK or their kids.

Whatdowehaveherethen · 26/08/2020 22:07

Like others, I'm horrified by 'that' posters reply.

Please report this to UK police. Please x

coffeecroissant · 26/08/2020 22:14

I work in the EFL industry. Most people would not believe how easy it is to become an English teacher. The only requirement is to have a degree (a TEFL certificate is also required usually but it teaches the bare minimum). Many places are so short staffed that they don't require anything above a high school education.

What I mean to say is that maybe- maybe- the teacher is good and caring, but you are just as likely to have a teacher who is just teaching as a way to take an extended holiday. Given that there is an awful problem with sex tourism in some parts of the world... Let's just say I would not be happy if my EY child was being taught by a Western man in East Asia. I'm sorry but that's just the way it is. Any controls are easy to work around.

OP, I'm so sorry for you to see this, but at least people were made aware of it. Sadly the EFL industry is so large and profitable that teachers are in short supply, and their backgrounds are rarely looked into.

cabbageking · 26/08/2020 22:15

Not all schools operate the same policies.
Forward the social media account to the school in question.
If the children are pupils they can follow up any queries.

Butterer · 26/08/2020 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ohyesohno · 26/08/2020 22:21

I am really not worried about 'that' poster. I have first hand experience of child abuse so I am not going to be looking for 'better ways to spend my time'. I love my country and I am horrified that someone might think of it as a place where they can do things they wouldn't dare in the UK.

I have the screen shot. I will send it to UK police. If it doesn't lead anywhere at least he'd think twice before touching another child.

OP posts:
Caplin · 26/08/2020 22:28

You are right to be concerned. My mum taught in Thailand and China, and whilst it wasn’t a huge issue among real teachers, there were people ‘teaching’ who were also dodgy. She taught in an area of Thailand rife with peadophiles, many of them European and working with vulnerable street kids.

Caplin · 26/08/2020 22:30

To add, many of the dodgy people in question owned schools, orphanages etc and pimped the children out to tourists. It was horrific.

LizB62A · 26/08/2020 22:43

I'm assuming you've already tried Googling his name.
If you have a photo of him, use that to do a Google image search - you might find out more about him that way which could either confirm your fears or reassure that he's ok.
If it turns out he has offended and been caught before and it's been in the news, you're bound to find him on Google.

MeFlabberIsGasted · 26/08/2020 22:46

'Cool foreign teacher'.

By that, do you mean 'white man' who happens to be a 'teacher' as well? Because I doubt any other type of foreigner will be seen as harmless. It's that white privilege in action.

You're not wrong to be uncomfortable about this, my spidey senses are tingling too.

As for the posters who told you to mind your own business, I doubt they would have done so if you said it's a forriner in the UK. They'll rightly be outraged but we know "expats"/'white forriners' can do no wrong. They're are literal saviours.

Original poster
ohyesohno · 26/08/2020 23:26

@Shimy

Section 72 legislation in respect of child sexual abuse was introduced in the Sexual Offences Act 2003, section 72, and gives power to the police and National Crime Agency to try citizens of the UK in UK courts for offences committed abroad. This is irrespective of whether the sexual act committed abroad is considered an offence in that country.

I would in the first instance speak to the police in the UK in light of the above legislation.

Also, please read the information in this report for more information.
You may be able to get more advice by ringing the number of Sinead at the bottom of the page ECPAT UK

If more people like you were concerned about vulnerable children abroad, disgusting predators like this man would think twice before ‘travelling abroad’.

excellent! I will contact Senead tomorrow.
OP posts:
Original poster
ohyesohno · 26/08/2020 23:34

@LizB62A

I'm assuming you've already tried Googling his name. If you have a photo of him, use that to do a Google image search - you might find out more about him that way which could either confirm your fears or reassure that he's ok. If it turns out he has offended and been caught before and it's been in the news, you're bound to find him on Google.
Very common name unfortunately. Image search just turned a huge number of balding wrinkly white men, bit nothing of use.

But thanks for the tip!

OP posts:
Original poster
ohyesohno · 26/08/2020 23:51

@coffeecroissant

I work in the EFL industry. Most people would not believe how easy it is to become an English teacher. The only requirement is to have a degree (a TEFL certificate is also required usually but it teaches the bare minimum). Many places are so short staffed that they don't require anything above a high school education.

What I mean to say is that maybe- maybe- the teacher is good and caring, but you are just as likely to have a teacher who is just teaching as a way to take an extended holiday. Given that there is an awful problem with sex tourism in some parts of the world... Let's just say I would not be happy if my EY child was being taught by a Western man in East Asia. I'm sorry but that's just the way it is. Any controls are easy to work around.

OP, I'm so sorry for you to see this, but at least people were made aware of it. Sadly the EFL industry is so large and profitable that teachers are in short supply, and their backgrounds are rarely looked into.

But is there any minimal standard of grammar required to get TEFL? This guy mixes 'f' and 'th', uses words like 'beautifulest" without irony, mixes 'there is' and 'there are', 'does' and 'do' etc etc. Basically he is illiterate and shouldn't be teaching anyone anywhere. I doubt he has GCSE in English.
OP posts: