Analysis on Whether Native or Non-Native English Speaking Teacher is Better in TEFL in China

摘要

The population of acquiring English as a foreign language in China is the largest all over the world. More and more native English speaking teachers have come to China to teach the English language since the reform and opening-up policies were launched in China. The issue whether native or non-native English speaking teachers is better in China has been long contested in some studies since then. The article demonstrates some contested notions of the issue in the area of TESL in China in general. It discusses from perspectives such as language competence, qualifications, English varieties and teaching effectiveness of NESTs and NNESTs and aims to offer English language educators and learners insights of their different teaching styles. By clarifying the contested notions, it is able to propose better teaching methods that make the best of advantages of NESTs and NNESTs in TEFL of China.