Non-Native Speakers as Teachers
Can a non-native speaker get work?
This usually depends where. If you have the right qualifications then you can pick up work in your home country quite easily. Schools will often employ several local NNS (Non-Native Speakers or those whose Mother Tongue isn't English) for each NS they employ.
Getting work outside your home country is a little more difficult. If your English is very good and you can class yourself as bilingual (maybe even if you're not quite) then you can often find work - especially if your other language is something the students might also be interested in learning.
But above all - regardless of your qualifications - you will have to demonstrate to your boss that you can speak English to a very high degree of fluency.
Qualifications
In an ideal world, you will need the following qualifications:
- A degree; if you are an non-native speaker of English then the best possible degree would be in English Language (or Literature).
- A TEFL Certificate to prove you can teach.
- A certificate to prove your knowledge of English if your degree isn't English Language. A Proficiency from Cambridge or Michigan will suffice here.
