The Native Speaker Myth: ReVisited

When I first began my blog, “Profesorbaker’s Blog: A Bit of Everything” www.profesorbaker.com I ran across a powerful piece of writing by Karenne Joy Sylvester, called “NNEST’s Can’t Do DOGME: Explode the Myths.

It raised my level of consciousness about this issue, the Native Speaker Myth, from which I have been a beneficiary. Even today, this issue rarely sees daylight, rarely is the subject of discussion when ELT teachers meet and talk shop, rarely gets any attention.

It’s the “black sheep” of the ELT profession.

In my subsequent writings and discussions in a variety of professional forums, it became clear that opinions are varied. Believe it or not, it has negative consequences for both native and non-native English-speaking teachers. Within the pages of this book, that fact will be amply evident.

Does this book offer any new insights?

I believe it does. And even if I’m wrong, I repay my enduring debt to Karenne Joy Sylvester for having raised my consciousness, if all this book does, is raise your consciousness, dear Reader(s).

However, I am convinced it will do much more than that. I hope you enjoy your story, for I have written this as a story for your enjoyment...

This book is dedicated to all the teachers I work with, have worked with, and ever will work with. Beyond that, this bok is for all the teachers in the ELT profession, world-wide.

Regardless of our status as native or non-native speakers, we all share one common characteristic that transcends everything: our love of teaching, and in particular, teaching English.

This love, this passion, is what truly defines us, as individuals, and as teachers. It is my great privilege to share my true love and passion with you in the reflections contained in this book.