Non-Native English Speakers in TESOL {NNEST} of the Month Blog: If students can learn who is the better teacher, why can't employers?

Non-Native English Speakers in TESOL {NNEST} of the Month Blog

Welcome to the Non-Native English Speakers in TESOL (NNEST) of the Month Blog. Find nonnative and native speakers who share interests in NNEST, teaching and World Englishes issues. Our guests are just like you: graduate students, novice instructors or experienced teachers with sound reputation in teaching ESL/EFL or applied linguistics field. You may leave your impressions under "comments." Visit our professional organization at nnest.asu.edu. Thank you for your involvement!

July 19, 2005

If students can learn who is the better teacher, why can't employers?

FYI,
Amir

Bias against non-native teachers has no justification, says Michael Fields
Friday June 24, 2005
Guardian Weekly

Local teachers should not be discriminated against because of their ethnicity. Local and native-speaker teachers should be seen as equals, and hiring should be based on qualifications. Every teacher has his own style and strengths, and the natural advantages of local teachers, such as their ability to speak the language of the students fluently, shouldn't be dismissed as less important than having a teacher with a native accent. Hiring should be based on informed policy. Local teachers are getting a lot less than they deserve, and students are missing opportunities for a better education.

Full text at: http://education.guardian.co.uk/tefl/comment/story/0,15090,1513004,00.html