[etni] the voice of the non-native teachers
- From: "Aliza Levanon" <levad@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "etni" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 16:22:27 +0200
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Dear Etniers,
After having followed the lively debate concerning the non NS teachers I have
come to the conclusion that I should contribute my humble share to this debate.
I think the opinion of the non- NS teachers hasn't been voiced , and I proudly
admit that I belong to them. Both those who spoke against them and those who
spoke on their behalf seemed to belong to the selected group of the NS. It
needs a lot of courage to expose oneself to those selected teachers who are
waiting out there with a magnifying glass wanting for one to make a mistake
that would prove their point (that this person is totally disqualified to teach
English). But I will do it all the same.
1.. The first thing I do when I walk into class is tell my students my life
story. How I became a successful English teacher who has been teaching English
for 35 years without having a language background at home and without ever
visiting any English speaking country. (By the time I paid a short visit to
England for the first time I had already been proficient in the language). I
tell my students how I worked my way up in the knowledge of the language
reading loads of books and being taught by teachers whose native language was
German. I do that not in order to impress them but in order to convince them
that everybody could do what I did. A NS teacher who thinks that only if you
are born in an English speaking environment you could really grasp the language
will only discourage the students. What chance do they have of ever being
reborn?
2.. Another thing I tell my students is that I am not an angel and I might
make mistakes and I would highly appreciate anyone who would care to correct
me. Thus I want them to realize that learning is something a good teacher never
stops doing. (Remember the old Etni motto: "He who dares to teach should never
cease to learn"?) What could be better than learning form one's students?
3.. Having acquired the language myself; as a NS of Hebrew, I think I am far
more aware of the difficulties confronting the English learners in Israel. I
don't want to brag, but my way of explaining to them the intricacies and
mysteries of the verb TO BE for instance, has proved itself for years.
4.. Last but not least, it has been mentioned that the non NS teachers who
make mistake are liable to lose their students' respect. Dear NS colleagues
have you ever given a thought to the amount of respect you lose when you make
mistakes in Hebrew? Believe me our students will detect your mistakes in Hebrew
far more quickly than they detect mine in English and being the naughty kids
that they are will sneer behind your backs just as viciously.
To conclude I think the best English teachers are those who are bilingual NS of
both English and Hebrew. Otherwise the best teachers are just those who are
"Good Teachers" no matter their native language.
All the best and have a wonderfull summer vacation
Aliza Levanon.
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