To teach English, you should know another language too, isn't it?
Nope. In fact if you are the stereotypical American with no accent, speak great English and know none of the foreign language you are usually far better off because they only want you speaking in English and teaching in English.
Not to mention the better schools get to have their American "poster boy" so they can show they've got quality English teachers in their school.
(This is at least what I gathered from a number of teachers over in Taiwan when I considered doing it).
How do they teach then? Are they teaching students who already have some English knowledge? Your friends are helping them improve, instead of teaching from scratch? Its understandable if thats the case.
Second language acquisition beyond entry level should be in the target language. There are methods ( http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/language_stages.php is a quick example ) that require no actual native language knowledge on the part of the teacher.
I haven't taught a second language myself, but I am around a few people who teach or have taught languages, and I've picked up on it a bit.
Most of the times they have some prior background in the language. But often you teach to very young kids as well, in that case you are usually paired with a local teaching assistant.
not necessarily. the example i know about is japan -- many places prefer people who don't speak japanese. it forces interaction in english, the language they want to learn.
Nope. In fact if you are the stereotypical American with no accent, speak great English and know none of the foreign language you are usually far better off because they only want you speaking in English and teaching in English.
Not to mention the better schools get to have their American "poster boy" so they can show they've got quality English teachers in their school.
(This is at least what I gathered from a number of teachers over in Taiwan when I considered doing it).