Monday, November 18, 2019
Have I already talked about English teaching theories and approaches. Nonetheless, this time around, I would like to share a common issue regarding TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language). In the following post I will address why I believe it is essential for non-native English teachers to be as close to perfection as possible. As well as offering some advice for reaching a higher proficiency level.
It is indeed quite challenging to teach English in a country where the aforesaid language is not official. Most teachers in Peru and other South American countries for instance. They mainly focus on the academic side of English. They believe that the more degrees they possess, the better able they will be at delivering a lesson in EFL. Be that as it may, being fluent in the language you are aiming to teach is a must. Academic competence should go hand in hand with mastery of the target language.
According to a study done in 2014 by Education First (worldly recognized organization), Argentina is the Latin American country with the largest number of competent English speakers as a second language.
Even if you as an non-native English teacher have not had the opportunity to live overseas, there are a few recommendations you could follow: First of all, joining language exchange events is one of the most fun and enriching experiences you could ask for. I will share the link to some below this post. Interacting with different kinds of native speakers gives a wider perspective on how English is spoken in the real world. You could even befriend some of the attendees. Moreover, reading constantly in the target language (especially books and magazines that have a high enough register) and being exposed to the media should work in tandem. Especially auditory and visual media that is. Such as videos and movies, among others. As a last suggestion, I would add making an effort to visit an English speaking country and force yourself to use the language.
In sum, I would say that you should never be satisfied with the knowledge you have of a language which is not your own. Especially if you plan to teach it. As a wise man once said: "There are lots of t-shirts, but a few teachers". The aforementioned applies to all subjects. Even so, when it comes to teaching English, you should be able to sound as natural as possible. Bear in mind at all times that students will mimic your speech. Consequently, it is highly recommend to double-check the content you are going to cover for any given class beforehand. Case in point, even if you believe you know how to pronounce a word you have not encountered before. It is always better to make sure you do.
Sources:
- Personal experience.
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