PDF #17 – Non-native-speaker teachers and English as an International Language
English non-native-speaker teachers – This article reviews the recent literature on English as an International Language (EIL), taking into consideration the main implications of such literature for English language teaching. Relevant research on non-native-speaker (NNS) teachers is discussed, together with their role in the context of the global need for English language teachers, specially in EFL countries.
Are you a non-native English speaking teacher (NNEST) who is new to the community of global teachers and concerned about speaking a first language other than English? Or have you been teaching for a while now but have experienced certain obstacles in the workplace or during job-hunting? As a German-born English instructor currently teaching in Japan, I understand this. I would like to highlight some of the advantages of non-native English speaking teachers, including the unique knowledge and skills that we can bring to the ESL/EFL classroom!
Spelling skills
Depending on your mother tongue and your native language system (and therefore how easy it was for you to learn English), your spelling skills might be even better than a native English speaker, because you spell words from knowledge, instead of feeling. This also adds the soft skill “attention to detail” to your resume!
Clear pronunciation
Again, depending on your native language, and that of your students, your pronunciation may be clearer and easier to understand for your students than, let’s say, a thick Australian or American accent. As an NNEST, you are pronouncing words carefully.
After reading “English non-native-speaker teachers” you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs, and visit my YouTube channel.