Job Discussion Forums

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Hmm, you know I get criticized for not speaking great Japanese while living in Japan while being married to a Japanese Embarassed

. but I teach in what is supposed to be a primarily English environment and my wife's English level was much better than my Japanese level when I arrived. I have been making efforts to better my Japanese, though at times I feel annoyed with those who think because they have a language skill they should lord it over the rest of us who are more linguistically challenged.

But enough about my 'embarassing' details, what about my Japanese collegues who teach English entirely in Japanese? Now of course, if they were teaching literature, perhaps it might be defensible, but regular English classes 90-95% in Japanese?! Interestingly, with one Japanese colleague I had whose English level was quite good, he taught an English 'grammar' class in Japanese because he said 'it's not a language class'! Since when is grammar not identified with language Rolling Eyes

?

I'm sure most of us have met them, English teachers who don't speak a lick of English. I know for my own sake knowing Japanese helps with some translation that I do as well as recognizing cross-transferance errors (and just helping in general life Smile

), but how can you teach what you don't know?!

Okay rant over, back to Golden week vacation=translation, 4 days off Rolling Eyes

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

I personally think it is beneficial to know the L1 language, especially when teaching a homogenous group. It will not only save you time but you could quickly remind them of grammar points they learnt in their L1 by speaking their language. They relate to that and will allow you to quickly progress to the task at hand by quoting your current fellow colleagues who can't/won't speak English while teaching a grammar course.

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

This is not about learning the L1, which is something teachers should try to do if they will live in a place for an extended period. I was always amazed by foreign teachers in Korea who had been there 10+ years and whose total Korean was "Annyong haseyo."

But this is about English teachers who do not speak English. In no other field would this be acceptable- i.e. I would not dream of opening my own chiropractor clinic or auto repair shop because I know nothing about either. Nor would I try to become the head of NASA or run an organic vegetable farm for the same reasons. Barbershops, accountancy firms and Moroccan restaurants are also out.

However where EFL is concerned, it is considered perfectly okay-nay, even prestigious- to run a language school or teach in a public school as an English teacher without speaking a lick of English. In Korea I met many public school English teachers who could not speak English to save their lives. They treated it as a 9-5 gig to stave off boredom, not as a profession. Most were young women, miffed that they have not yet gotten married for the sole, yet seemingly romantic purpose of being able to stay at home and buy shoes online.

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Because the four weekers have such a great success rate around the world.. Non-native teachers versus TEFLers!

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject:

Lot of obstacles to putting proficient speakers into many teaching scenarios. Unfortunate, but true.

I know a guy in Wisconsin who teaches high school Spanish on the strength of having done two semesters of Spanish in college, something like ten years ago. Doesn't speak, and his pronunciation is appalling, but they couldn't find anyone else. (It's a small school, so he also teaches social studies and coaches football.) And I know plenty of fluent Spanish speakers here who are qualified teachers and would LOVE to spend a year in Wisconsin...

But try to get their qualifications recognised. Now try to get them the visa. Now understand that if they have the kind of qualifications that the US will recognise, and are well off enough to receive a visa to the US, then they're already making way more money than they would in Wisconsin...

See what I mean? Frequently in Quito, I meet US Spanish teachers who come down here to brush up- some are pretty good. Some are terrible. It just depends...

Justin