Why Should We Learn English with Non-native Teachers?

With a large number of English speakers around the world, English has become one of the most popular languages to study as a second language. Many countries have integrated English into their education system. With the increasing demand, English teachers today come from various countries with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Those backgrounds have an influence on their teaching styles and a general understanding of the language itself.

Despite the wider spread of knowledge, the English language teaching industry, especially in East and Southeast Asia, still perceive native English speakers as the ideal standard when it comes to teaching English, whereas non-native English-speaking teachers are inferior because they lack the innate linguistic skill (Walkinshaw & Oanh, 2014). If given a choice, many learners would prefer to study with native English speakers because they carry authentic pronunciation and can display natural usage of the language. Without considering what non-native speakers can bring to the table, many learners are missing out on a diverse learning opportunity.

Here are why non-native teachers are as competent as native teachers:

1. They understand your learning experience.

First, we must acknowledge that non-native teachers have gone through similar experiences of learning English as their learners. This gives them a better understanding of learners’ needs, their obstacles, and how to overcome them. They can offer support and guidance to their learners better than someone who has not learned another language.

2. They studied hard to get to this level.

Most non-native teachers have studied English in depth and detail. All the hard work that they put in to be able to teach today also provides them with better insights into the language learning process and enables them to provide simpler explanations when it comes to complex language structures. Those teachers can also provide learners with confidence and motivation to see that it is possible to reach that level.

3. They can help widen your cultural perceptions.

Apart from their linguistic knowledge and language learning experience, non-native English teachers can add their own cultural perspectives to the classroom. By studying the language, learners can learn a lot about the cultures of the native speakers, but it is also important that they learn about other cultures as well. As we are moving towards an increasingly diverse society, being aware of different cultures will equip learners with a broader view of the world and allow them to be empathetic to the experiences of others. Language lessons with diverse groups of people can create a safe space for constructive discussions where learners’ attitudes can be challenged. Such experiences help both learners and teachers overcome stereotypes and build cross-cultural respect for each other.

With many benefits from non-native English teachers mentioned above, we cannot deny that native speakers carry their own expertise and uniqueness. After all, influenced by their life experiences, every teacher carries different perks and styles of teaching. Educators, however, must prioritize creating diverse learning opportunities for learners and teaching about diversity. Exposing learners to diverse experiences and people will make a positive impact on their development and a profound impact on our society (Bennett, 2018). We must realize that knowledge alone is not enough to make a successful teacher. Understanding the learners, their problems, and their backgrounds can immensely help teachers apply appropriate teaching methods to their learners. This can be achieved by both native and non-native English teachers. I hope this article highlights that teacher diversity is much more crucial to your education than you might think.

Sources:

Beacco, J.-C. (2018, May 23). Specifying languages’ contribution to intercultural education. Council of Europe. https://rm.coe.int/09000016808ae53b

Bennett, N. A. (2018, September 6). 5 Benefits of Teaching Diversity in Education. Kickboard Blog. https://www.kickboardforschools.com/diversity-equity/5-benefits-of-teaching-classroom-diversity/

Christen, S. (2010). Native or Non-native speakers. Who are the better English teachers? SVENJA CHRISTEN. GRIN Publishing.

Dunsmore, L. (2018, May 30). 4 Striking Advantages for Non-Native English Teachers in the TEFL Classroom. International TEFL and TESOL Training. https://www.teflcourse.net/blog/4-striking-advantages-for-non-native-english-teachers-in-the-tefl-classroom-ittt-tefl-blog/

Nevarez, C., Jouganatos, S. M., & Wood, J. L. (2019). Benefits of Teacher Diversity: Leading for Transformative Change. Journal of School Administration Research and Development, 4(1), 24–34. 10.32674/jsard.v4i1.1940

The TEFL Academy. (2017, December 5). The Advantages of Being a Non-Native English Teacher. https://www.theteflacademy.com/blog/2017/12/the-advantages-of-being-a-non-native-english-teacher/

TtMadrid. (2019, November 23). Five reasons why non-native English teachers match up to natives. TtMadrid. https://ttmadrid.com/blog/5-reasons-why-non-native-english-teachers-match-up-to-natives/

Walkinshaw, I., & Oanh, D. H. (2014). Native and Non-Native English Language Teachers (2nd ed., Vol. 4). SAGE Open. 10.1177/2158244014534451