ESL College Instructors
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Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen Mar 21, 2007 |
You walk into your physics or calculus classroom, and you quickly realize the instructor does not speak English well. What do you do?
If you feel frustrated, that's very understandable. Instructors that speak English as a second language can be difficult to understand and often teach complicated science and math classes. Your discomfort does not mean you are a racist or a mean person. Many universities do not put nearly enough effort into making sure that instructors can communicate effectively with their students.
However, it's important to be polite and respectful to your instructor and not assume this person is a poor teacher. Remember, this instructor is probably a long way from home, so be a good host to your "guest" and make sure he or she does not feel unwelcome. Try to put yourself in his or her shoes. This is probably a more difficult situation for your instructor than it is for you, so have a heart.
The best way to do well in a class with an ESL instructor is this: listen! Pay extra attention as he or she speaks. This not not a situation where you can text message your friends or otherwise zone out for awhile. If you are willing to put in extra effort to pay attention, and the instructor is willing to put extra effort into communicating with the students, the class will go just fine. Keep in mind that these are skills you are going to need later in your life. In our increasingly global marketplace, you can count on having business and personal relationships with people who do not speak your language fluently.
Having an instructor from another country can be a challenge, but it can also be a treat. There's a reason your college or university has hired this person or recruited him or her to be a graduate student. In all likelihood, this person is exceptionally intelligent and worth your time to get to know. Instructors from other countries can bring valuable new insight into you classes. If you find yourself with a foreign instructor in a class such as Intercultural Communication or World History, you're in luck. The occasional aggravation of the language difference will be outweighed by an excellent educational experience.
Something else to keep in mind: never assume that someone from a different country does not speak English well. English may be their native language as well, or they might have an excellent grasp of the language. Also, never assume automatically that someone with darker skin or an ethnic name is from somewhere else. I know quite a few Asian American teaching assistants who have lived in the United States their entire lives and have been complemented by students on their "English skills."
So, if you encounter an instructor who does not speak your language well, be patient and be polite. Unless this person is a terrible teacher, the situation will go fine if everyone makes a little extra effort.
Want to learn more about your professors? Here's a few articles that may help:
Six things you should know about your professors
What should you call your professor?