"Native Teachers or Non-native Teachers?" from dekita.org
Last Monday, we were at the computer room (as every Monday) and the teacher asked us to choose a post from www.dekita.org and comment on it. I got very interested on the discussion proposed by Aaron on the preferences of the students when we talk about native and non-native teachers.
I think that Jesus is right when he says that teachers must be native. Not because non-native teachers can't teach, but just like Aaron said students must know the accents. Only a native teacher is able to talk perfectly not only formal language, but informal too. Native teachers are able to talk with you about the language, using himself as an example: he wouldn't make some mistakes that others would make easier. Also, I'll have to disagree with Phil: been born and raised in an anglophone environment does qualifies a person to teach. When someone goes to an English class, his intentions are not to be an expert on English culture, however it gets always more interesting and dynamic when you learn about other people habits and characteristics.
I also have to disagree with Maurice when he says that native teachers don't use the students' language. Although it could be useful, the students' language can't be used (only in extreme cases). It is important for the student to understand the vocabulary by explanations given in the language he is learning by the teacher.
Finally, I would like to say that I'm not totally against non-native teachers. As Rosa and Aaron said before, the competency is very important: no matter the nationality, the teacher that is not skillful and well trained isn't qualified to give lessons and soon the students will realize that. I also agree with Aaron's idea of teachers' exchange. The problem is that, in some cases, it is only beneficial to the teacher and not the student.
I think that Jesus is right when he says that teachers must be native. Not because non-native teachers can't teach, but just like Aaron said students must know the accents. Only a native teacher is able to talk perfectly not only formal language, but informal too. Native teachers are able to talk with you about the language, using himself as an example: he wouldn't make some mistakes that others would make easier. Also, I'll have to disagree with Phil: been born and raised in an anglophone environment does qualifies a person to teach. When someone goes to an English class, his intentions are not to be an expert on English culture, however it gets always more interesting and dynamic when you learn about other people habits and characteristics.
I also have to disagree with Maurice when he says that native teachers don't use the students' language. Although it could be useful, the students' language can't be used (only in extreme cases). It is important for the student to understand the vocabulary by explanations given in the language he is learning by the teacher.
Finally, I would like to say that I'm not totally against non-native teachers. As Rosa and Aaron said before, the competency is very important: no matter the nationality, the teacher that is not skillful and well trained isn't qualified to give lessons and soon the students will realize that. I also agree with Aaron's idea of teachers' exchange. The problem is that, in some cases, it is only beneficial to the teacher and not the student.
posted by !!Elie!! @ 6:33 PM
3 Comments:
At 7:35 AM,
Bee said…
What about students?
Should they rely on a native (with good pronunciation and language) or non-native teacher (with competency and skills) as their only source of instruction? Will they always have a teacher next to them to guide them or once school is over they can forget about learning?
At 3:17 PM,
!!Elie!! said…
Of course students must rely on their teacher no matter his/her nationality. And if he is good he will tell the students to practice watching movies, reading...
Loosing contact with a teacher or not depends of the anbitions of both of them: the teacher and the student. But it's obvious a relationship between them would be very richfull.
At 9:18 PM,
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