Native English speakers only

There are others who oppose this argument and they are of the opinion that most so-called native English speakers can’t teach their own language simply because they (non-native speakers) have mastered the language and are better equipped to teach others how they could also speak fluently. They argue that the majority of native English speakers hired as language instructors in China are not trained teachers but just some “system leftovers” from layoffs due to the impact of the financial crisis in Europe and America. Others from this school of thought also suggest accent does not really matter. So far as one is able to comprehend and speak fluently that’s all that matters. They argue that even in some native English speaking countries such as Britain there are hoards of accents that might baffle students of “Queen’s English”, so what the heck.

My position with regard to the two arguments is that it’s about time the Chinese public realized that teaching English or working in a corporate environment has nothing to do with being a native English speaker. This is a well documented fact. What matters most is that the employee is well trained and has the right qualifications, speaks English fluently and hardly makes any grammatical errors - which we all know even seasoned journalists at some of the world’s famous media corporations do.  

It is also documented that this native-English speakers only phenomenon in China is associated with the belief that learners of the “Queen’s English” can learn to speak with accents like native-English speakers. What a sham. Who doesn’t know that the use of the phrase “native speakers only” has become synonymous with “whites only”? It is just a cloak to hide ignorantly under the cover of racist intentions.

I chanced upon a relevant discussion on this topic on our forum here by pnp an honorable blogger. He really nailed it better than I could have. I’d wanted to take quotes from the post but those quotes alone can’t highlight the problem he was addressing. Follow the link above for a better critique and opinion on this canker.

What I picked from pnp’s post was that the ability to speak with clarity and fluency is what matters most and not the accent one speaks with. From my understanding, so far as what you say can be easily comprehended and makes sense, you’re good to go.

The focus on a particular accent, race or color is what fuels this discriminatory form of advertisement. I once had someone telling me: “It is their country and if you don’t like the way things are done just pack and leave”. That obviously is the worst comment to tie loose ends of a situation that the majority of expats in China care about. 

We all live in a globalized community and there are citizens of all countries spread across the entire globe. There are interracial marriages all over here in China and so to tell someone to pack and leave simply because of some bias and discriminatory employment requirements is ignorance of the highest order. All citizens of different nationalities around the globe might as well pack and leave. But that won’t happen because it is impossible. That is like the world economy grinding to a halt. I’m not an expert on employment laws in China so pardon me for any blunder, but I do know for sure that this form of advertisement wouldn’t pass in other civilized and democratic societies. 

The day I will stop blogging is when China Daily requires that only native English speakers are allowed to submit posts. But that will not go without a fight, laugh it off. I know for sure they would never stoop to such mediocrity. I do however admire the staff for allowing me to use this platform to criticize the system for allowing such openly racist adverts to go uncensored.

The original blog is at: http://blog.chinadaily.com.cn/blog-1825133-30736.html

 

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