Do ESL Teachers Need to Be Bilingual to Teach Abroad?

If you’re from any of the native English speaking countries, the chances are that English is the only language in which you’re proficient. If this is the case, then traveling abroad may seem a little daunting.

You may be asking yourself, ‘how will I be able to survive when I can’t speak the language?’ ‘Do I need to teach my students in their native tongue?’ A common misconception is that ESL teachers need to understand and speak the native language to work in the country. Fortunately, this is simply untrue.

ESL teachers are not required by schools overseas to be bilingual or speak the local language. Teachers must only talk to students in English as part of the immersion method of learning. However, knowing a second language will be useful as it will enable you to live in the country more comfortably. It will also give you insight into the process of learning another language and thus help you understand what your students are going through. Knowing the students’ native language can be useful if they cannot understand something being explained in English. It will also help you form relationships with the students and other teachers.

All you need to teach abroad is to be a native or expert-level speaker of English and a bachelor’s degree. It’s sporadic for a school to request their ex-pat English teacher to be bilingual in the local language.

Reasons why ESL Teachers don’t need to be Bilingual

Immersion Education

Most schools that hold English language classes understand the importance of surrounding students in the language. Immersion plays a crucial role in learning, and it’s easier to pick up speaking patterns, new vocabulary, and phrases when everyone in the room converses in English.

Learning through context and real-life interactions in English is superior to writing down an endless list of sentences and vocab from a textbook.

Both beginners and advanced students appreciate this type of learning, which is why ESL schools around the world hire native-speaking English teachers. As a native speaker, you will never have to think or discuss topics in another language. Even if students don’t understand everything, exposure to native English speaking will improve their comprehension of the language.

Employers don’t need you to be Bilingual

Chances are, your employer speaks decent English. After all, the only way to develop a robust English curriculum is to understand the language. Job descriptions and information will be given to you in English, and there will never be an expectation for you to know any other language.

Therefore, when you have your interview and come into work, it will all be done in English. Your employee and co-workers may even prefer you to only speak to them in English so that they can improve themselves!

You might lose fluency in English!

It may sound impossible, but it’s actually true. The more you spend speaking another language, the higher the possibility of you losing fluency in English.

When one immerses themselves in their L2 for an extensive period, switching back to L1 might not be so easy. It’s also possible for your inflection and accent to change slightly, losing your natural native sound, which employers desire.

For me, I lived in Japan for a year and a half and spoke in Japanese almost every day. I remember one time when chatting with a friend in English; they started exclaiming that there is no way I am a native speaker due to my accent and speech pattern. I didn’t realize this until I returned to Australia, and so far, my accent has returned to normal. Although I tend to speak much slower now.

Benefits of being a Bilingual ESL Teacher

Despite all the cons of being a bilingual ESL teacher, there are so many benefits that can significantly improve your TEFL career.

Bilingual Teachers understand their Students

If you’ve ever learned an L2, then you know how tough it can be. Hours upon hours of studying, using flashcards, writing down words, sleepless nights practice for the exam – you know the struggle.

That happens to be just what your students are going through. Because you have the same experience, you can emphasize and give your students great advice on how to improve their learning.

Bilingual Teachers can operate easier in the country they work

Understanding and speaking your students’ L1 can help you adjust to life outside the classroom quicker. You should never expect people abroad to speak English fluently, so it’s a generous gesture to learn the local tongue.

Knowing another language may open up a new way of thinking for you. Different cultures have different values, and languages reflect on that. Knowing the local language will make you understand the way your students behave, think, and feel. Understanding these feelings can help you create dynamic lesson plans using brilliant strategies catered to them.

How to teach English in English

Some ESL teachers may find it difficult or intimidating to use English in class. If you ever struggle with explaining concepts or topics to your students, try to bring things back down to the basics. Non-verbal communication is part of the immersion style of learning. It is crucial for those who are at the beginner level.

You can use sign language, gestures, pictures, videos, objects, and many other things to explain new ideas to your students.

For example, instead of translating new words back into your students’ L1, show them a picture of something, and teach the new vocabulary.

Your students will learn new words through visual exposure and acquire them much faster than merely translating.

Advice for ESL Teachers

Knowing a foreign language is an incredibly useful skill. However, it is not the skill required to be an ESL teacher in countries like China, Japan, or Korea.

When teaching ESL, you must set a standard and expectations in the classroom. It is unacceptable for your students to speak to you using their L1. You also should never try to speak or show off your skill with your L2 in front of your students, as this will be detrimental to their listening skills.

If students (especially young ones) realize that you can speak their language, they will immediately get the idea that they can talk to you whenever they like in their L1. Students thinking this way isn’t the best thing for your classroom and may cause some disciplinary issues.

There are no issues with being a bilingual ESL teacher. As long as you never allow usage of your students’ L1 or your L2 to undermine the teaching and value of your class, you’re all set to teach abroad!