What do you think of English native speakers who teach abroad?

Question

We know that many universities in non-English-speaking countries employ native speakers to be spoken English teachers. But many of them(native speakers) whose occupation was not a teacher before they teach in those universities.

And I wonder what those native speakers' status usually is in their own country.

Answer 1

some are professionals who are very highly educated and enjoy travel and teaching

and some are backpackers who want to live on the cheap.

I suggest that any school thinking of hiring ANY teacher (both local and foreign) check the credentials and references VERY carefully

Answer 2

I teach English in Spain. Depending in the school they ask for professionals or not, if you look at the prices they charge, you see the better schools.

OK, so native speakers are better are teaching vocabulary and are very good for the answers. And teachers who are from the country of origin have usually studied English philosophy, which many natives haven't a clue about, also they are usually better at teaching basic grammar as they have an understanding of what it was like to learn English as a foreigner.

it's a great job and very satisfying, if you do it well, the main problem is that a lot of backpackers want to earn easy money and only stay for a few months, then it's the students who end up suffering.

You have to have a pretty confident grasp of grammar if you don't want to look a fool, it's a pity that they don't teach more grammar in English schools as it would help in learning other languages.

You try explaining 'inversion' and 'phrasal verbs' to people without knowing what you're talking about. (I've seen it done and it's painful to watch!!)

Answer 3

Most of these guys are not qualified to teach. Let me tell you the Thai experience. Previously, these native speakers (initially coming in as tourist) used to literally 'buy' some degrees in Bangkok to start their career in teaching. These degrees claimed that they are experts in teaching some subject or the other. However, just last year, the govt. of Thailand has cracked down these activities and ill-practices in many international schools here in the country and has come up with strict rules that implicate the work permit and visa renewal of native speakers. Now, native speakers, no matter how good they speak English, have to do at least a certification in Teaching. I taught some of them for a year in two different classes...and YES....they don't know the head and tail of teaching...! Isn't that scary?

Answer 4

Being able to speak your native tongue and to some extent the language rules of said tongue, are not necessarily sufficient grounds for being a good teacher. If there is a previous background in teaching, then perhaps there is a possibility that they are suited for the occupation. But much like others say, there are different reasons why universities may employ these individuals, so we don't know the extent to which the interview process leads them. Knowing your native tongue may be a advantage, but not necessarily your key into the door.

Answer 5

I am a US born US citizen who has lived in Latin America for a long time. After finishing my studies in the US and working professionally long enough to pay off student loans I went south for a vacation. I decided to stay and I looked for work and found it right away as a teacher of English.
Yes many of my fellow teachers were just passing through and looking for away to get enough money to travel a little furter on, some of us became very involved in teaching.
English is taught in Latin America in language institutes, some kindergardens, more primary schools, almost all jr and sr high schools. Over the last 20 years or so fluency in at least one language other than Spanish or Portugese has become manditory to graduate from university.
Today- in most schools- just being able to speak the language doesn't mean one gets a job. The US Information Service has English teaching experts that help, the British Council is very active in teacher training. In mos tmajor cities one can get a BA or Masters degree in teaching English. And to get a job now most serious schools are asking for proof of professional preparation as well as ability to speak the language and to teach.

With the Native speakers I work with now, two are a lawyers, one is an accountant, three were teachers in Canada or the US, one woman is a nun who has taught philosophy to seminarians who was looking for a change.

Answer 6

In Thailand, native English language teachers are in high demand, but good teachers are in short supply. A TEFL certificate is usually required to teach in schools, universities and private industry, but it doesn't take much effort, and very little teaching skills to acquire a TEFL certificate here. Very few native English speaking teachers with a degree in teaching will accept the low pay offered which leaves only a majority of substandard teachers. Most of them can't speak Thai, and in many cases the students they're trying to teach have a better knowledge of English grammar and sentence composition than the teacher does. About the only thing they can teach a Thai student is conversational English and improving their English vocabulary.

Answer 7

Well ,some schools only use native speaker to gain money,because they can show and display the native speaker to the parents because parents think they are good as they speak english,so parents willing to pay more for this teacher.

Answer 8

I know many foreigners who learnt their English abroad and it's crap... you get far better results from a native English speaker.... the text books just don't do it and the academics don't realise it.

Its very good for eastern and third world countries to recruit English speakers, at least the students can converse properly and THAT is surly the goal.. their background isn't that important.

Answer 9

Teacher training is important in adition to being a native speaker of English.

See the web site: www.TEFLofCanada.com

They have a course in France

Answer 10

The fact that someone can speak his own language does not necessarily make him a suitable teacher. However, if a person has teaching knowledge they can certainly be considered qualified to teach.