Do English native speakers make better Englsh teachers?
This debate has been on for quite a long time. I just want to hear from you. Please support your poinion with good reason.
14 answers from our tutors
Best answer
I think when you're just starting to learn English it's better to find someone who speaks your mother tongue. After you reach A2 level you can slowly start learning with natives and when you get to B1-B2 you can learn mostly from native speakers. I recommend my students to start learning with natives after they reach A2-B1 (even if they continue taking my classes (I'm not a native)). When the teacher you're studying with doesn't speak your language it stimulates your brain and doesn't let you get "lazy" and switch to the language that's more comfortable for you. :) It never hurts to have occasional classes with teachers who share the same language with you, though. Because there are some things that speakers of your mother tongue can explain better. So, in my opinion it should be both. Also it's important to learn from different teachers (natives or not), because each person has some language habits and it's good to have some variety. :)
I say this as a native English speaker, I don't think this is a good metric of judging anyone's abilities as a teacher. I have seen many non-native English speakers that are spectacular at teaching the language, and also many non-natives that were horrible teachers. I likewise have seen the same with native speakers. The best way to gauge someone's level of teaching is by looking at their pedagogy, how they teach. Some will be very comfortable teaching kids. Others will only want to teach adults.
Not necessarily. A good accent does not make a good teacher and even I have some difficulty understanding some native speakers for example "Hillbillies", and some British and Scottish people. South Africans for example, are well known for having a neutral accent, and Filipinos for having excellent Grammar skills. Therefore, being a native English speaker does not automatically make someone a better English teacher. Effective teaching requires a combination of factors such as knowledge of the subject matter, teaching experience, pedagogical skills, and the ability to communicate and connect with students. Non-native English teachers may also bring unique perspectives and insights to teaching the language, particularly in areas such as grammar and pronunciation. Ultimately, the quality of an English teacher depends on their qualifications, teaching style, and ability to engage and support their students.
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Depends on your level and learning goals. Do you need to adjust to specific accent? Knowledge of pedagogy and confidence with speech are very important.
Not really....if you are a teacher by nature..then you can teach every thing around you...even you can make your student a poet and a writer too.
Not really. It’s all about the teaching styles and materials you use that makes you a better English teacher
Not necessarily being a native speaker doesn’t automatically make someone a better English teacher.
Not necessarily being a native speaker doesn’t automatically make your ability English teacher
Yes, because it is impossible to teach a good English while you are not an English native speaker.
I would say not necessarily. I grew up in Afrikaans home. Spoke English only at school. Yet always preformed better in English than Afrikaans. If you understand the language and practice it you can become a better English teacher even if you not a native English speaker
Yes the English native speakers make better English teachers because according to me when you are a native speakers you are the roots of English,the roots of the grammatical rules.. that's what I think
