Despite the many advantages that a teacher sharing the students’ MT can bring, native speakers are always preferred when it comes to hiring. Yet teachers who are non-native speakers can bring a lot to the classroom.

This book examines the differences in teaching attitudes between teachers of English who are native speakers and those who are non-native speakers, and makes a realistic assessment of their respective problems, strengths and weaknesses.

The author, an Hungarian who describes himself as a “near native speaker” of English, learnt English in his own country from other non-native speakers. His analysis of the position of non-native TEFL teachers brings a deep personal knowledge, strong convictions and a sympathetic awareness of the problems facing language teachers of all kinds. He reveals the worries but also stresses the strengths of non-native TEFL teachers who have already travelled the road along which they are guiding their learners. They know from first hand experience what the students will find difficult or strange.

This is a stimulating read for both native and non-native TEFL teachers.

External Links

The Non-Native Teacher (ELT) (amazon.com)

The Non-Native Teacher (ELT) (amazon.co.uk)