English Toolbox Tips

With the world economy in a major downturn, there seems to be this impression that those who have lost their jobs or cannot find a job can simply "become an English teacher" overseas. Sites such as this and this blithely suggest that any native speaker can teach English without any teacher training whatsoever. Now, of course, some schools in Thailand, Korea and other countries apparently believe that a child can learn English simply by standing next to a native speaker for a few hours per day, and so the unqualified and inept will never lack for work in these locales. But you never see sites saying, "Fix people's plumbing--no experience necessary!" Yet every day, people are encouraged to subject a foreigner to their ignorance and inexperience, and make them pay for the privilege! It's no wonder the profession is held in such low esteem in many countries, and that training and professionalism are considered luxuries.

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL