If I were to teach English in a foreign country, do I really need to know that country's language?
2006-09-23 09:59:00 · 9 answers · asked by sandman 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Not necesarily, because you can teach higher level English in which everyone only speaks English. Also, if you want to go around in the city, you'd be in a little trouble.
2006-09-23 10:08:14 · answer #1 · answered by mr cheese 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Strictly speaking it is not really necessary to know a foreign country's language if you are going there to teach English, since places such as China will assign you an 'assistant/guide' to help you communicate with your new students.
Of course it would be a courtesy to learn a few words of the host country's language, e.g., simple things, such as how to greet people and to say please and thank you. This will be greatly appreciated by your students - and will help you, too, when you are off duty.
But if you are an effective teacher you will soon be able to speak to your students - in English!
And if you are very lucky you might find that your (older) students already have a good grasp of English and your enjoyable task will be to extend their knowledge.
Good luck, anyway, if you do take a teaching job overseas.
2006-09-23 17:19:06 · answer #2 · answered by avian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not necessary.
Remember, if those students came to your country to learn English, they would probably be in a multi-lingual classroom. Teachers can't be expected to speak ten languages in the classroom if their students are from ten different countries. The best thing to do is to read up on the theory and practice of teacing a second language in a multi-lingual classroom, and try to do your TESL course in your home country where you'll have multi-lingual students in your practice class. This will help prepare to you teach effectively without speaking the students' first language.
I taught EFL in monolingual classrooms where I didn't speak their L1 for two years. My students learned a lot, and so did I!
2006-09-23 20:38:57 · answer #3 · answered by Jetgirly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is necessary to learn the foreign language. However out of respect for the country/people you are going to be dealing with on a daily basis it would be polite and respectful of you to do so. Besides don't you want to be able to communicate with some of the locals and be able to shop on the economy and eat in the restaurants etc? Spread you wings and try something new. You never know you might like learning new things. It never hurts us as humans to be open to new things and ideas we grow with every activity we try. And besides if you are there for a long time like yrs when you have family and friends visit you then you can take them around sightseeing and be able to translate for them. That is always a good feeling to be able to show off for others isn't it?
2006-09-23 18:09:12 · answer #4 · answered by victoria b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you want to eat, travel, understand what your students are saying?
They want to learn English because it is a major language in the commercial world and will help them improve their lives. If you chose not to learn the language of the country you are living in, then you will be the one who suffers most, and possibly loses the teaching contract.
2006-09-23 17:08:50 · answer #5 · answered by St N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think so because if you didn't know the other country's language how could you tell them what a certain word means in english
2006-09-23 17:10:32 · answer #6 · answered by mavill2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anytime you're in a foreign country you should do your best to learn the culture, ways, and language of that country.
2006-09-23 17:14:52 · answer #7 · answered by bitto luv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, how else will you communicate to the students and understand their culture. I sugest learning the language before you sign up to teach a class their.
2006-09-23 17:09:29 · answer #8 · answered by Reach for the Stars! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would certainly HELP.
2006-09-23 17:24:34 · answer #9 · answered by MrZ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋