When it comes to teaching language, the effectiveness of native and non-native teachers has long been debated. In truth, the most important skill of a language teacher doesn’t depend on if they are a native speaker, but rather if they know how to teach to the level of their students. We can all agree that passionate teachers willing to put in the effort to prepare a good class are what benefits the students the most.

This is common sense.

Being a teacher demands a lot of preparation and the intention to help people learn. Having a high or even native proficiency helps but it’s not a substitute for work ethic and a genuine desire to do a good job. With that said, what are the advantages of teachers who are native or non-native speakers?

Advantages of teachers who are native or non-native speakers

A native speaker of a language is very in touch with the language and its culture. Their ability to use the language in a playful and dynamic way can help facilitate effective learning by taking away the pressure of strict grammar rules. This makes the learning experience much more genuine, informal and fun. A native speaker’s knowledge of slang and the more dynamic aspects of the language (which are often deeply rooted in the culture) are likely to be richer.

The biggest advantage, that non-native speakers have is that they have consciously learned the language step-by-step and can guide their students through the journey that they have already conquered. Sometimes, teachers who have learned the language through their own effort have a better ability to see through their students’ eyes and identify their needs.

So perhaps the best kind of language teacher is one that has the qualities of a native and non-native speaker.

 

At Agape School of Education, our teachers are a good mix of native and non-native speakers. Our teachers learn from one another and become better teachers with the singular goal to help their students learn effectively. In addition, many of our teachers are multilingual! So while they may teach their mother tongue, they also have experience learning other languages, which allows them the experience and skills needed to connect with their students.

Having a passion for what you teach is another priceless advantage of our teachers because the teacher’s enthusiasm is contagious not only to their students but to other teachers as well. While our teachers can inspire and motivate, learning is also in the hands of the student. If you don’t have a strong desire to learn and a dedication to the process, not even the best teacher in the world can help you.

So, if you have the interest and the dedication, contact Agape School of Education to find out more about our classes and teachers. We conduct private and group classes for students of all ages.

Our goal is to facilitate your learning in a fun and personalised way.