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what percentage of non-native English speakers teach in China |
under 5% |
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8% |
[ 3 ] |
6-10 % |
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8% |
[ 3 ] |
11-16 % |
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14% |
[ 5 ] |
17-25 % |
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20% |
[ 7 ] |
26% or more |
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47% |
[ 16 ] |
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Total Votes : 34 |
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william wallace
Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:18 am Post subject: How many FTS are foreign speakers of English ? |
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I wonder what the percentages are for non-native English speakers teaching English as a second language.
At my last school(ABC) it seemed around 40-50% were foreign speakers of English,and at present it's about 20%.
Some FTs have an amazing level of English and are golden, others...should be attending ESL classes. |
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eslstudies

Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:54 am Post subject: Re: How many FTS are foreign speakers of English ? |
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william wallace wrote: |
Some FTs have an amazing level of English and are golden, others...should be attending ESL classes. |
And I'd extend that comment to some native speakers around the place! It's amazing what some people get away with when in possession of a white face and a "big five" passport. |
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Kootvela

Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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I'd love to see the final result when the vote is over. As a non-native speaker of English, I'd like to see what my chances of finding a job in China are. I am considering a year break from Lithuania in a few years. |
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Anda

Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject: Um |
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In the city where I work currently about 50% are non native foreign English teachers.
For people like Kootvela you will find that most positions for non native speakers are for boring places where most Westeners don't want to work or for low paid positions. However notice I said most as some get top jobs. |
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william wallace
Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:37 am Post subject: |
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Chinese students are required to provide "official" confirmation of language level, such as iBT TOEFL, IELTS, PET... to enter colleges, universities and emigrate....,so why shouldn't it be similar for L2 English teachers ? Isn't this a double-standard ? |
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kungfucowboy83
Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 479
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:44 am Post subject: |
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our school has 2 non-native esl teachers. however their experience and qualifications are far above most esl teachers (masters degrees from western universities, 10 years of experience) and they are both excellent teachers. |
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theincredibleegg
Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 224
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:52 am Post subject: |
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We have plenty of non-natives at my workplace.
My impression is that schools that would hire someone only because of his/her first language are more interested in English speakers (rather than teachers). Schools that expect you to do a good job weigh in teaching qualifications, where being a native speaker is a plus. |
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eddy-cool
Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:36 am Post subject: |
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william wallace wrote: |
Chinese students are required to provide "official" confirmation of language level, such as iBT TOEFL, IELTS, PET... to enter colleges, universities and emigrate....,so why shouldn't it be similar for L2 English teachers ? Isn't this a double-standard ? |
Frankly, this suggestion is good but not thought through to its logical conclusion: All FTs should pass exams.
Quite a few white faces from 'the big five' countries might not get past the post! |
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eslstudies

Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:01 am Post subject: |
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kungfucowboy83 wrote: |
our school has 2 non-native esl teachers. however their experience and qualifications are far above most esl teachers (masters degrees from western universities, 10 years of experience) and they are both excellent teachers. |
Most likely they are. But this begs several questions, such as what constitutes an excellent teacher and, more pertinently, who makes this judgement. Peers? I never observerved colleagues in class in China, even though I've supervised many B Ed students back home. I have objective criteria I use, but wouldn't wish to call colleagues good or bad on the basis of working in the same school, plus the usual amount of prejudice, perception and rumour.
Students? Often this is a popularity poll. Some find the teacher matches their learning style, so for them, the teacher is "good". Entertainment plays a big part here, as most Chinese recruiters know.
Administrators? Exam grades and compliance are what they mean by the word.
Just a thought! |
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loboman

Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 238 Location: Despite all my rage I'm still just a rat in a cage...
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:33 am Post subject: |
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If the government really wants to set a standard than a standardized test is the only way.
IELTS or TOEFEL or something that has the same standards and meaning worldwide. |
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arioch36
Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:52 am Post subject: |
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cheating and inconsistency is terrible on the IELTS, don't know about TOEFEL
Quote: |
our school has 2 non-native esl teachers. however their experience and qualifications are far above most esl teachers (masters degrees from western universities, 10 years of experience) and they are both excellent teachers. |
Do they get paid more?
Personally I have found most of the non native speakers I have known to have much worse english . But I have also seen age make a big difference. I would also say that the youngest, native or non-native speaking FTs have also had even worster english and more problems teaching, more midnyt runs.
I have found age to make a bigger factor among native speakers, and qualification and experience to be a strong determiner for non native speakers. Maybe they are the only ones who can last in China without being shown the door? Let's face it, pretty easy for a bad teaching blue-eyed native speaker to continue to be employed
Totally subjctive |
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kungfucowboy83
Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 479
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:37 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Do they get paid more? |
more than a new or inexperienced person, yes. more than a native speaker with the same qualifications, no. |
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mike w
Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: Beijing building site
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:01 am Post subject: |
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I have found that the majority of non-native English-speaking English teachers that I have come across need to attend English classes themselves. |
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Kootvela

Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:48 am Post subject: |
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mike w wrote: |
I have found that the majority of non-native English-speaking English teachers that I have come across need to attend English classes themselves. |
So have I. What scares me most is that these are requalified teachers (former teachers of other sujects) that are given junior grades to teach. |
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william wallace
Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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ESL isn't regulated, other than the TEFL,CELTA factories,but I would think that a wee bit of common sense could sub for it. An L2 English teacher? cool ! But they SHOULD be substantially better than a student. |
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