ESL Teaching - Jobs, lesson plans - View Single Post - Does a teach have to be Native US AUS etc?

Billy · Thu 29-Nov-07, 08:10 PM

This question has been asked soooo many times before.

You may think your English is as good as a native, but there will be aspects that only a native English speaker will have. Not only are you required to teach English, but are also required to share the culture of Australia, how life was as a child growing up in Australia. As you were in China, and I'm sure even as a teenager in Australia, you most likely were surrounded by Chinese friends, Chinese food and culture etc., and these are just some other areas where a native English speaker will have benefit over you.

We are comparing you (a semi-native English speaker) to a full native English speaker. Who do you think the schools will choose first? I'm not saying that you wont do a good job, but at this stage, there are enough full native English speakers without having to look elsewhere.

So you really need to find some unique selling point as to why schools should hire you instead of a native English speaker.

Thu 29-Nov-07, 08:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Billy Wannabe Guru Join Date: Oct 2005 Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 34	Re: Does a teach have to be Native US AUS etc? This question has been asked soooo many times before. You may think your English is as good as a native, but there will be aspects that only a native English speaker will have. Not only are you required to teach English, but are also required to share the culture of Australia, how life was as a child growing up in Australia. As you were in China, and I'm sure even as a teenager in Australia, you most likely were surrounded by Chinese friends, Chinese food and culture etc., and these are just some other areas where a native English speaker will have benefit over you. We are comparing you (a semi-native English speaker) to a full native English speaker. Who do you think the schools will choose first? I'm not saying that you wont do a good job, but at this stage, there are enough full native English speakers without having to look elsewhere. So you really need to find some unique selling point as to why schools should hire you instead of a native English speaker.