So you’re not a native English speaker, but you want to get official TEFL certification to teach English. Can you? Of course you can! In this article, we talk about why not being a native English speaker isn’t a problem when it comes to being an English teacher and why it can be an advantage for you in the classroom. Whether or not English is your first language, in the EBC Trinity CertTESOL course, you will learn everything you need to know to be an effective English teacher.
So you’re not a native English speaker, but you want to get official TEFL certification to teach English. Can you? Of course you can! In this article, we talk about why not being a native English speaker isn’t a problem when it comes to being an English teacher and why it can be an advantage for you in the classroom. Whether or not English is your first language, in the EBC Trinity CertTESOL course, you will learn everything you need to know to be an effective English teacher.
The non-native English speaker myth
A common misconception in the TEFL world is that only native speakers can teach English. Native English speakers are people whose first language is English. They learned the language in their early stages of development. Their English language acquisition is usually natural, meaning they learned it mainly by growing up in an English-speaking environment.
Teaching requires knowing a specific topic or language to some extent. Because of this, many people believe that when it comes to English teaching, non-native English speakers do not know the language well enough to be able to teach it. This belief can hold many people back from getting TEFL certified with the EBC Trinity CertTESOL course.
There are many explanations as to why people think this way. But a common reason is language biases and stereotypes. For example, a common bias people have in the TEFL world is one towards accents. Over the years, people began associating English teachers with British or American accents.
Stereotypes surrounding native and non-native English speakers
Other people believe that non-native English speakers do not know the language well enough to teach the different nuances associated with culture. Some also assume that only native English speakers automatically have a higher level of English language proficiency than non-native English speakers.
However, though these stereotypes have held many people back from becoming English teachers, it is time to break them. The truth is that non-native English speakers possess qualities that can make them highly effective English teachers.
So, if English is not your first language, but you want to get TEFL certified, surprise! You can. You have every right to be an English teacher. It’s all about learning to use your specific skills to help you in your journey to teaching English effectively. And the EBC Trinity CertTESOL course is the best place to start. Talk to us today so we can get you started.
Need more convincing? Well, let’s go over the arguments as to why you can teach English.
Why non-native English speakers can teach English
There are several reasons why non-native English speakers can be effective English teachers. But first, it is essential to understand the nature of the English language.
Non-native English speakers as English teachers: English as a global language
First, English is a universal language. Thanks to globalisation, the language now has a lot of different variations. Also, people around the world have different accents when speaking English. This diversity has brought about the need for English teachers who represent the variety within the English language.
Furthermore, since non-native English speakers are more likely to have a different accent when speaking, they naturally expose their students to this more realistic side of the language in a global context. This also means that non-native English speakers who are teachers can help their students adapt to these differences.
Non-native English speakers as English teachers: Cultural strength
Non-native English speakers tend to understand cultural nuances and the differences between language structures because of their bilingual or multilingual qualities. This also means they are very culturally sensitive, which is a necessary quality in the global English classroom.
This cultural sensitivity may also make it easier for them to relate with their students on a deeper level. When teachers can establish trust with their students, it becomes much easier to manage the class and teach.
Furthermore, students can be inspired by an English teacher who is not a native English speaker—being non-native speakers themselves, having you as their teacher can be a constant reminder that they can achieve their English language goals. This could, in turn, motivate the class.
Non-native English speakers as English teachers: It’s all about communication.
Some people believe that having an English accent that sounds native automatically makes one an effective English teacher. However, this is false. Being an effective English teacher is all about being an effective communicator.
Of course, this is in addition to understanding the language structure and having the skills to teach it. However, what good are those if you cannot communicate well enough to teach someone how the language works? Non-native English speakers can use various tools and methods to communicate effectively with their students.
Non-native English speakers as English teachers: Changing trends in TEFL
Luckily, the TEFL landscape is changing. More and more educational institutions recognise the benefits of hiring non-native English speakers to be English teachers. Furthermore, they are also shifting away from the old trend of hiring people only based on their being native English speakers.
With TEFL certifications like the Trinity CertTESOL, accepted and recognised by the British Council, native and non-native English speakers can travel the world teaching English.
Another reason more non-native English speakers are being hired as English teachers is because doing so helps promote diversity. English in the real world is linguistically diverse. So, having more classrooms celebrating differences within the English language helps to clarify the message. English is for everyone.
Non-native English speakers. Get TEFL certified today!
If you are a non-native English speaker who wants to teach English, you first have to get TEFL certified. Remember, though you have qualities that can make you an effective English teacher, you need all the training you can get!
In the EBC Trinity CertTESOL course, you will learn how to teach English correctly. But more than that, you will learn how to use your unique qualities as a non-native English speaker to be one of the best English teachers your students will ever have. So, contact us today, and we’ll help you get started. Enrol with us and become the best version of yourself!
