Why Knowing a Language Doesn't Mean You Can Teach It: The Difference Between Proficiency and Pedagogy
By
Lindsey Lange-Abramowitz, M.A.
A baker's-dozen of insight crammed into one ring.
Summary
The article addresses a common misconception in language teaching: that knowing a language automatically qualifies someone to teach it. The author, a language educator, shares personal experience about learning this lesson when applying for teaching jobs without formal training. The piece explains why language proficiency differs from teaching ability, emphasizing that effective teaching requires pedagogical skills, understanding of language acquisition principles, and structured methodology beyond just native fluency.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledKnowing English isn't the same as being able to teach it. Here's why!
I found this out the hard way! In fact, when I applied for my first teaching job almost twenty years ago with no language teaching experience
I'll be talking about a common misconception about language teaching—so common, in fact, that I once believed it too
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