About
TEFL Equity Advocates was set up in April 2014 in order to speak out for equal professional opportunities for ‘native’ and ‘non-native’ English speaking teachers in ELT.
One of the main aims of the campaign is to encourage schools and organisations to establish egalitarian employment policies which will give equal opportunities to both ‘native’ and ‘non-native’ English speaking teachers. Some of these schools are listed in the Hall of Fame here.
I would like this website to be a place for discussion, exchange of ideas and above all a source of inspiration and motivation that change is possible. Also, I would like to make it clear from the start that this website and campaign is not only directed at ‘non-native’ English speaking teachers. In fact, some of the best and most popular posts on the blog have come from ‘native’ speakers. I would then be delighted if more ‘native’ English speaking teachers joined the movement, publishing, commenting and advocating equal rights for all teachers. After all, we’re in it together. So if you are interested in the topic and would like to publish here, get in touch.
Find out more about TEFL Equity Advocates from this presentation and the sections below.
Why TEFL Equity Advocates?
As a non-native speaker, I have faced discrimination myself on several occasions. I was fortunate that at the time I did not give up. I felt angry and frustrated, but I knew that I did not want the same to happen to other NNESTs. And I hated the thought of letting the recruiters get away […]
Why does it matter?
You might be wondering if and why you should bother advocating equal professional rights for ‘native’ and ‘non-native speaker’ teachers. I addressed this point in the opening of my plenary at BBELT 2017 conference in Mexico. Below you can also see a list of 8 points that will hopefully highlight why it is indeed important […]
Our goals
Acknowledge and expose the discrimination of NNESTs in TEFL. Sensitise the public to the problem. Debunk the most common and damaging myths and stereotypes about NNESTs. Reduce the number of job ads only for NESTs. Give self-confidence to NNESTs. Encourage NESTs to join the campaign and actively support their colleagues. Provide support and advice in […]
Contact
Would you like to write a guest post? Do you want to officially support the campaign? Have you got suggestions about the content and/or design of the blog? Have you written an article about NEST/NNEST issues we could upload to the resources section? Are you wondering how to get involved in the campaign? Have you […]