Education Questions and Answers
Do you have to speak both English and another language to be an ESL teacher?
Answers:
No, you do not have to. You just need to be a native or near native English speaker and have techniques which enable you to teach ESL students.
Of course, if you do speak the native language of your students, then that is an advantage. It might make it easier to deliver your message and communicate with them.
You don't have to speak another language. It can help though, if you want to teach in some institutions in various countries. However, a lot of ESL classrooms have 'English Only' policies. Of course, being a native speaker of English is preferred, but I know successful ESL teachers who have near-native proficiency. Some, although not many, students prefer a teacher from their own ethnic group especially in the lower levels and if they have not had much experience dealing with native English teachers.
I disagree with the last comment.
Most foreign learners prefer to have a native English speaker as their teachers.
Occasionally using students' own language in the classroom soon degenerates into using their language most of the time. Then there is no need for a native English teacher - a teacher from that country would/could do what you are doing, but better than you do, because they don't make any mistakes when speaking the learners' language.
In general it is accepted that English only should be spoken by TEFL teachers.
You should be a native speaker of English or near-native speaker. In a sense it "forces" the students to speak to you in English, and encourages the use of English in the classroom. You don't need to speak another language; I speak French, Spanish and Italian, but I never let my students know that.
If you do tell them you speak other languages and one of them is their native language, they will expect you to translate or give equivalent forms, and they will speak to you in that language. It defeats the purpose of why they are there and why you speak English in class. Classroom time to learn a language is not enough. You can provide extra exposure by speaking to them In English at every opportunity outside the classroom.
no but you have to be certified in your state to do this- Prez Bush says so in the NCLB laws
No, and it is better if you are not fluent in any language besides English. The purpose of the ESL classroom is to immerse the student into an English environment. If that student is not able to succeed in the ESL classroom, then he/she should be placed in a bilingual program where the teacher is able to speak that student's native language.
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