Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Youngben88]

Do you think non native speakers can be effective teachers?

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[littlelisa]

Yes.

[schwa]

Post subject: How effective can non anyone teachers be?

I'm a nobody. I get by okay.

[Rockhard]

Depends.

Depends on the level of the students.
Depends on the level of the teacher.
Non natives can translate.
But natives have proper pronunciation, speed, and grammar.

Usually the ideal is a native speaker who has learned your language to a fluent level. When I learned German in university that's how it was. French in Canada, that's how it was. I speak both languages. That's what works well. I prefer classes that are totally immersion. But that's just my preference.

But Korea can't afford anybody like that, so they make do.

[Weigookin74]

Before there were native speakers in Korea, the English levels here sucked and Koreans speaking English couldn't make themselves understood when they travelled. Now, in Seoul, at least, they're getting pretty good. That forced interaction with natives growing up makes it easier for Koreans when they go abroad and do business with other nationalities.

So, we have had an effect. As for natives knowing the language, how many folks would have thought to learn Korean up until a few years ago? Most people didn't know where Korea was and the few who did, thought it was people living in straw houses. (Some of my first pics of Korea sent home shocked some people, by the very fact they weren't living in straw houses or in squalor.)

So many people back in the mid 2000's, told me I was nuts for coming here. Unlike them, I knew how to read and google search to realize Korea wasn't like that. But that was the perception, even amongst some smart people I knew. Not so many people think like that now.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

I think an English teacher from Germany say might be more effective than a native speaker. I think the important things are knowledge of English, and teaching ability - not being a native speaker.

[Scorpion]

In response to your question let me say this: I effective think can non anyone perspective teach the English be.

I help this the hope.

[Lucas]

[faeriehazel]

Ideally, a non-native speaker who has achieved fluency (or as close to it as possible) would be the most effective sort of teacher because he or she would probably be more familiar with the learning process than a native speaker. Such a teacher would be able to better anticipate what sorts of mistakes their students are more prone to.

Realistically speaking, these sorts of teachers are hard to find. The English teachers I had in middle/high schools in Korea all sucked, and they made all sorts of mistakes in class. Also they hated me for committing the unpardonable sin of having lived abroad.

[Engrish Mufffin]

[Stain]

[Weigookin74]

[Juregen]

[Squire]

I've worked at five different public schools here and with several KETs and homeroom teachers. Of five actual Korean English teachers I'd say only one was/is fluent enough to teach in English without continuously making mistakes. A couple more speak good English for Koreans but don't ever socialize with foreigners so simply don't get the practice. As far as I'm aware none of them have any interest in English language TV either. That's not to say they can't teach English well, but when they've tried to teach English in English the expressions they use seem very scripted and unnatural. The point I'm getting at its they can't create a realistic immersion environment.

[Rockhard]