From the article: Non-Native English Teachers
Many non-native English speakers who have English teaching credentials find it difficult, if not impossible to find work at private English schools around the world. Many find this practice a form of discrimination. What do you think? Share Your Opinion
Native speakers find it difficult too!
- It is important to emphasize that in primary and secondary schools as well as at university level, it is often the local non-native teacher who has the advantage. Even in the EU, there are all sorts of visible and invisible obstacles for the native teacher to overcome i.e. getting qualifications recognised as equivalent. Only in the generally less-well paid private sector do some native teachers enjoy a certain advantage. Like a lot of other native teachers I suspect, I personally would swap my so-called advantage for those enjoyed by non-native teachers in teh state sector.
- —Guest Paul
Non-Native or Native--Need Testing
- Hello, I think non-native speakers can be excellent teachers because if they are bilingual, they often have "better" grammar, spelling and sentence structure than native speakers, and can explain concepts better to other non-native speakers. I think this should not be a discussion of native vs non-native but that they should test all ESL teachers on language proficiency and use that as a gauge for hiring teachers. (Admittedly, I'm a native speaker that uses, accidentally, a lot of slang, and often bad grammar in my speech!!)
- —Guest Mcohoe
Vaji
- There is give and take in both situations. The problem with non-native teachers is that when it comes to conversation and originality, they may lack the spontaneity of producing a correct answer in pronouncing certain words or placing the emphasis on the wrong syllable when pronouncing something which there are tons of them in English. However, when it comes to the concept of grammar and understanding the loopholes why some people do not understand certain things, a non-native does have more awareness of the problems and can handle the situation much better. The best scenario if possible would be to have both of them, a native and a non-native doing the work together. I used to teach English in Baton Rouge Louisiana to refugees who had come to the United States. I had a TA who read the text for me, the students repeated after her and then I continued with grammar and other stuff.
- —Guest Vaji
native speakers and non native speakers
- Native speakers are preferably over non native speakers because of their accents and pronunciation. However, some of them may have better pronunciation but they don't have teaching skills which is so important. on the other hands, some non-native speakers have teaching skills but they don't have the accent which is important as well. In some schools, native and non native speakers can work together to help each other and student will benefit a lot.
- —Guest Menesh
Non-native teacher
- I have always had a non-native English teacher and guess what? I use to say she was born to teach English: she was one of the best teachers I have ever had in my entire life. A few years ago it was not that common this kind of prejudice, at least here in Brazil it wasn´t, because that is what I think this is about: prejudice. I had a terrible Spanish teacher once and she had just arrived from Madri: she had never teached, she couldn´t be perfect! Experience and knowledge: I think that is the real key.
- —Guest Renata
Non-native teachers have an advantage
- the advantage that non-native teachers have is that we know what it takes to learn a second language and are aware of the problems that many students face. For example, I am a Spanish speaking teacher, so I know what problems Spanish speaking students face.
- —Guest Juan Angel Ugarte
Native Speaker Response
- The same situation exists for the EU restriction on only EU members which blocks even native-speakers!!! However, I have taught in all continents except Australia & Antarctica, and have found the biggest problem with non-native speakers is that most do not do prepositions well no matter how long they have spoken English. Secondly, I can teach math as long as it is under 5th grade! Meaning, as long as I know more than a certrain level of student, I do fine, because they don't know enough to ask a question I cannot answer. I find that few teachers, native or non, can explain things well if it is complex grammar, etc. However, a well-trained native speaker has a better chance of doing so in my personal experience. Thirdly, brain research shows students learn best by listening and reading language rather than speaking (which reinforces mistakes --like a poor sports skill). Lastly, public schools are desperate and I cannot have one of those in your country...so go get one of those!
- —BoldAdeventurer
Non native teachers are equally good
- As a non-native speaker,I feel that everyone should be given equal opprtunity to prove what 'they're made of'. Would you rather have a non-competent native speaker or an effective non-native speaker to teach? Even though I can't break through this thick wall used to discriminate us from English native speakers, I give private lessons to students who go to private schools and I'm quite proud to say that, 95% of my students claim that I explain much clearer than their teachers. From experience, I know what problems ESL students are likely to encounter because I've been down that road before and that's a special attribute non native speakers possess as a by-product of learning English. Since teaching is an art, focus should be directed on skill regardless of whether one is a native speaker or not. In a nutshell, I feel this whole issue is 'a subtle mind' and should be done away with. Thank you
- —BrendaBubbles
Non Native Speaking Teachers
- As a teacher recruiter with many years of experience, (and I hire a lot of native speakers) my feelings are as follows: 1 Private language schools often make their USP revolve around having native speakers and it is a hard sell to change that. 2 Some of it is just simply a habit, a tradition. No more than that. 3 It IS getting better in that there is now more awareness of the benefits of using non native teachers, as mentioned in this post. Education and discussion is the key. 4 The EU legal framework has done a lot to fight the prejudice within Europe. 5 There is a need for an international standard for non native teacher training.
- —ChristopherGraham
Non-native teachers offer a lot
- I feel that, as a native speaker, non-native speakers have a lot to offer as teachers. They understand well the difficulties of learning the language and can fous on certain points that we native speakers miss, because to us it is 'obvious'. I live in Brazil and had to learn Portuguese to survive. Now, I teach translators at a school in Rio. Through this experience I have learnt a lot about my own language and that of others, and had time to appreciate the value that foreigners have to offer to my language and culture, thank you
- —Stephen Dibley
Standards are Standards
- When "professional" restrictions, in detail, are well complied with, what difference does it make? Judgement has to consider standards and not the identity of the teacher.
- —Guest Fouad
