Skip to main content

Enhancing Your English Language Proficiency

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Second Language Learning and Teaching ((SLLT))

Abstract

The present chapter focuses on the level of proficiency needed by nonnative English speaking teachers (NNESTs) to be effective teachers. It is argued that conventional definitions that associate general English proficiency do not address the type of classroom language teachers need in order to teach effectively. Suggestions on how NNESTs can enhance their English language proficiency to be more effective teachers is provided and implications for teacher education programs are presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bateman, B. (2008). Student teachers’ attitudes and beliefs about using the target language in the classroom. Foreign Language Annals, 4(1), 11–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braine, G. (Ed.). (1999). Non-native educators in English language teaching. Mahwah, USA: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, G. Y. (2004). What level of English proficiency do elementary school teachers need to attain to teach EFL? Case studies from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. TESOL Quarterly, 38(2), 245–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Council, B. (2015). Technology for professional development: Access, interest and opportunity for teachers of English in South Asia. New Delhi, India: British Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah, A. S. (Ed.). (2005). Reclaiming the local in language policy and practice. Mahwah, USA: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canagarajah, A. S. (1999). Interrogating the ‘native speaker fallacy’: Non-linguistic roots, non-pedagogical results. In G. Braine (Ed.), Nonnative educators in English language teaching (pp. 77–92). Mahwah, USA: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, V. (1999). Going beyond the native speaker in language teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 33(2), 185–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cullen, R. (1994). Incorporating a language improvement component in teacher training programmes. ELT Journal, 48(2), 162–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Discoli, G. (2016). Language proficiency for English teachers—An English language proficiency and methodology course for teachers who speak English as a second or foreign language (Master’s Thesis). Leeds Beckett University. Retrieved from https://englishagenda.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/attachments/mda2017_leeds_beckett_university_giacomo_discoli.pdf

  • Eslami-Rasekh, Z. (2005). Raising the pragmatic awareness of language learners. ELT Journal, 59(2), 199–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eslami, Z. R., & Harper, K. (2018). Language proficiency and NNESTs. In J. I. Liontas, TESOL International Association, & M. DelliCarpini (Eds.), The TESOL encyclopedia of English language teaching. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eslami, Z. & Fatahi, A. (2008). Teachers’ sense of self-efficacy, English proficiency, and instructional strategies: A study of Nonnative EFL teachers in Iran. TESL-EJ, 11(4).

    Google Scholar 

  • Faez, F., & Karas, M. (2017). Connecting language proficiency to (self-reported) teaching ability: A review and analysis of research. RELC Journal, 48(1), 135–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688217694755

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, D. (2017). The case for teachers’ classroom English proficiency. RELC Journal, 48(1), 31–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688217691073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inbar-Lourie, O., & Gagné, A. (2016). Multiple perspectives on the language proficiency development of non-native English-speaking teacher candidates. In J. Crandall & M. A. Christison (Eds.), Teacher education and professional development in TESOL: Global perspectives (pp. 110–126). New York, NY: Routledge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kamhi-Stein, L. D. (2009). Teacher preparation and nonnative English-speaking educators. In A. Burns & J. C. Richards (Eds.), Second Language Teacher Education (pp. 91–101). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim. S. (2002). Second language anxiety and coping strategies. In S. Kim (Ed.), Teaching in the U.S.: Handbook for international faculty and TAs. Faculty and TA Development, Ohio State University. (Also available on the web: Retrieved February 25, 2004, from https://www.osu.edu/education/ftad/Publications/InternationalHandbook/TitlePage.html

  • Kramsch, C. (1998). Language and culture. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D. (1999). Training non-native TESOL students: Challenges for TESOL teacher education in the West. In G. Braine (Ed.), Non-native educators in English language teaching (pp. 197–210). Mahwah, USA: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahboob, A., & Dutcher, L. (2014). Dynamic approach to language proficiency—A model. In A. Mahboob & L. Barratt (Eds.), Englishes in multilingual contexts: Language variation and education (pp. 117–136). Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahboob, A. (2006). Toward a familiarity-based approach to language proficiency. TESOL NNEST Caucus Newsletter, 8(1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, J. (2013). Intelligible, comprehensible, non-native models in ESL/EFL pronunciation teaching. System, 42, 258–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch, G. (1994). Language development provision in teacher training curricula. ELT Journal, 48(3), 253–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nemtchinova, E., Mahboob, A., Eslami, Z., & Dogancay-Aktuna, S. (2010). Training nonnative English speaking TESOL professionals. In A. Mahboob (Ed.), The NNEST lens: Non native English speakers in TESOL (pp. 222–238). Newcastle upon Tyne, England: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasternak, M., & Bailey, K. M. (2004). Preparing nonnative and native English-speaking teachers: Issues of professionalism and proficiency. In L. D. Kamhi-Stein (Ed.), Learning and teaching from experience: Perspectives on nonnative English-speaking professionals (pp. 155–175). Ann Arbor, USA: University of Michigan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic imperialism. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J. C. (2017). Teaching English through English: Proficiency, pedagogy and performance. RELC Journal, 48(1), 7–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688217690059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valmori, L., & De Costa, P. I. (2016). How do foreign language teachers maintain their proficiency? A grounded theory investigation. System, 57, 98–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2016.02.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Widdowson, H. G. (1994). The ownership of English. TESOL Quarterly, 28(2), 377–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zohreh R. Eslami .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Eslami, Z.R. (2020). Enhancing Your English Language Proficiency. In: Coombe, C., Anderson, N.J., Stephenson, L. (eds) Professionalizing Your English Language Teaching. Second Language Learning and Teaching. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34762-8_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34762-8_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-34761-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-34762-8

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics