Do Universities have an ethical obligation to provide English-speaking instructors?

Question

Is it really fair to the students that many instructors (especially in math and science) do not have a thorough mastery of English?

Answer 1

At the very least it would be nice if they would instruct those professors for whom English is a second language to try to have a sense of humor about their heavy accents. When getting my degree (which was in science), a large portion of my professors had a deep accent. Those who could laugh at their mispronounciations and slow down to make sure they were communicating clearly were the ones from whom I learned the most. I agree with poohb2878's positive attitude; if both the students and the professors make an effort, the class can go quite well. It's the professors who get angry with you for not understanding their broken English who need to be dealt with by the administration of the university. Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

I think your question is unethical In itself.Are these instructors totally incomprehensible or do they just have an accent which is difficult to understand.Besides,Either way these people would not be in these positions if they were not good at what they do.Let's face it,It's math and science(numbers)They're not going to be reciting Shakespeare.Most English speaking persons are not fluent in their own language little lone have a mastery in English.I think your a bigot resulting from an uneducated view that's probably flunked uni.

Answer 3

well if more US students could master math and the sciences then there would be a wider field of English speaking candidates...don't malign someone for trying to do a job...most foreign professors I had in school were very aware and accomodating about language barrier/communication issues...most Americans do not have mastery over the English language...

Answer 4

Okay, when I was an undergraduate (majoring in Biology and Chemistry so I had a lot of international TA's) this really pissed me off. I wouldn't even try to understand what they were trying to tell me. Boy was I wrong! That didn't prove anythign except that i could get C's for not paying attention. Once I learned that lesson the hard (and expensive) way I made an effort to understand them. I won. I did vastly better in my classes and realized that the ITA's have a lot of knowledge. Not only did I do well in my classes but I also learned to understand various accents, which is pivotal in today's society. Don't be so short-sighted. Make an effort and you may be surprised at what you learn.

And by the way, ENGLISH ACTUALLY is not the official language of the United States. The US has no official language. Ergo...English is not OUR language.

Answer 5

They probably do have a mastery of English but just have really thick accents. If you don't like it you could always request a different course. I know thre isn't one math & one science course at the college. I feel those professors took the time to go through years of schooling to be there, so they deserve it.

Answer 6

No it is definately not fair. We had an Indian professor teaching Linear Algebra when I was in college. I ended up getting a B out the course and never understood a single word he said. I essentially taught myself using the textbook and two other books I found on the subject. I stopped attending classes after the second week and only showed up for tests. I was lucky that he provided a detailed sylabus so I knew what to sections to study before each test. A couple of math majors who attended his classes every day got Cs out of the course and couldn't believe I got a B and never attended class.

Answer 7

Don't you wish they did. It really is a hinderance on an education. If they have somewhat of an accent, that's fine, because you can still ask them to repeat themselves or they can give out notes written in English to help. But when you really can't understand what they are saying and they are unwilling to take the steps to help the class understand things (like writing things on paper or on the board or being patient enough to try to reword things or repeat things) it can be very difficult to learn.

Answer 8

Jesus did stay in the middle east, and genuine he's God and can want to have made anybody round him understand english, the most useful way for someone to hearken to the gospel is of their own language. Even on the prompt missionaries study the language of the rustic they are going to previously they war and share the gospel. And lengthy some time previous even as Jesus became alive even with the reality that he knew that in 2008 you and that i'd talk english the human beings of that aspect did not. per chance in 3008 anybody will talk french, yet i do not realize it. I wont be alive then so do you imagine that he must have spoke French? He became and is all understanding and knew that their might want to be human beings that would want to translate issues for us. in case you study the tale of Babel (Babylon) you would possibly want to extra useful understand why we do not all talk a similar language. it truly is in Genesis, the first e book of the Bible. i imagine that would want to favor to reveal its value. Genesis 11-- you should study it.

Answer 9

Huh.Thats a good question. I'm assuming by Federal and State Law they have to be a equal opportunity employer.
Not necessarily good for us with english as a first language, but they might know their subject exceptionally well.

Answer 10

No - it's not fair - but unfortunately - this is the way it is going. Imagine something worse - a kindergarten teacher that doesn't have a mastery of English, teaching kids incorrect pronunciation in their more formative years.