Any Non-Native Speakers Teaching In Universities?

[kunnatee]

Hello

I am French (white) but have been using English daily for the last 20 years.

Although I have a noticeable but not too thick French accent, I think that my pronunciation is totally correct.

People often understand me more easily than native speakers with strong accents.

I have been teaching English (and French) in a Mathayom school in Bangkok for 6 years now.

I have a bachelor degree in education and speak/write thai.

I am fully dedicated to my students.

However, after 6 years of giving everything for students who most of the time don't make any efforts, a change would be appreciated.

Specifically, a change of audience, and that's why I'm considering the possibility of teaching in a university.

For various reasons, I prefer teaching English to French, which leads me to my question :

Does anyone know details of the universities' policies when it comes to hiring foreign teachers?

Do you know which ones most definitely want the teachers to be native speakers? (even over non-natives who may speak fluently and be better teachers)

Do you know of any university that doesn't require the teachers to be native speakers?

Do you have any coments, advices or else about the topic?

Thanks a lot

[sirchai]

"Although I have a noticeable but not too thick French accent, I think that my pronunciation is totally correct.

People often understand me more easily than native speakers with strong accents."

"Do you know which ones most definitely want the teachers to be native speakers? (even over non-natives who may speak fluently and be better teachers)"

How can your pronunciation be totally correct, if you speak with a "not too thick" French accent?

[beano2274]

I know of a University in Bangkok that has a Filipino teacher and her accent is horrendous.

I also know of a German teacher who was teaching at King Naresuan University up north.

[joorakee]

I know of a Pole who was teaching English at Dusit Thani College in the City of Angels.

[ihunnieibee]

Teachers in my international uni speak crap English! So I would say go for it!! ...but please don't expect to be graced by the presence of many individuals who are willing to learn and participate in class because I seriously doubt you will find what you're looking for..

I try to participate myself but know of very few others who ever interact! I don't know how the teachers do it!!

Yesterday I gave a presentation to my classmates and wanted to hit my head against the wall!! It's like talking to a brick wall- very boring and lack of effort all around!! :/

[biker Bob]

I have several non-native teachers at Ramkhaemheng University, but they do not teach English.

[kunnatee]

Thanks a lot for the answers

..but please don't expect to be graced by the presence of many individuals who are willing to learn and participate in class because I seriously doubt you will find what you're looking for..

dam_n! Yes, some of my old students had warned me of the same thing.

But on the other hand I see some of them who are apparently really trying to progress, even though the results are not up to, well... a foreigner's expectations.

Anyway, I doubt it can be much worse than some of my classes.

How can your pronunciation be totally correct, if you speak with a "not too thick" French accent?

There's quite a difference between accent and pronunciation.

(If you're a teacher and haven't noticed this yet, you should take a few minutes to think about it)

In the country where you come from, you may find people with very different accents, but who all pronounce correctly.

You can pretty much replace "accent" with "voice".

A little girl and an old man don't have the same voice at all, but that doesn't prevent them from proununcing correctly.

If you hear me speak, you'll guess that I'm French, but you won't be able to point out wrong sounds.

Edited February 7, 2013 by kunnatee

[richard10365]

You said you have a bachelors degree. If you want to teach in a university in Thailand you need at least a masters degree. My suggestion would be to find a school in Bangkok and get a Masters in TEFOL. You can then teach in the university. There are some schools that offer a masters in education. I know of one here in Chiang Mai. Good luck!

[Phatcharanan]

You said you have a bachelors degree. If you want to teach in a university in Thailand you need at least a masters degree.

There are many EAL teachers with just a BA working in Uni's.

[richard10365]

You said you have a bachelors degree. If you want to teach in a university in Thailand you need at least a masters degree.

There are many EAL teachers with just a BA working in Uni's.

I imagine there are some universities that will hire people to teach in various classes. I think at my university they are used in the English enhancement center or as teachers assistants. But our teachers that teach the Ministry of Education approved bachelors degree courses must have at least a masters degree.

[maxtingtong]

I know an italian guy (with years of working experience in the USA) that was teaching english in bkk university.

[kunnatee]

Thanks again.

richard10365, a Master in TEFOL?!! Are you sure that even exists?

A regular TEFOL course just takes a few tens of hours, and you pretty much buy it rather than get tested for it.

There's hardly enough substance for a master's degree level. (From what I imagine at least)

[KhaoNiaw]

We have a Chinese national teaching in our English department. She has a master's in the field, is very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. Her pronunciation is ...guess what... English with a Chinese accent. Welcome to a world where English is a truly international language, where it's possible that Thais may frequently have to use English for communication with foreigners, but never with 'native speakers'.

She has an accent, as we all do, but it's clear and I've yet to see any communication problems arise with other faculty members. Some students take a while to tune in, but I'd consider that an important part of their English language education.

Edited February 16, 2013 by KhaoNiaw