Overseas Language Learning Experience: Student Beliefs About Their Teachers' Qualifications

This study investigates ESL student beliefs about ESL teachers' overseas experience (OE), language learning experience (LLE), and overseas language learning experience (OLLE), the combination of the two, as well as student attitudes toward native-English-speaking teachers. Data is gathered via an online survey from students of university or college-affiliated Intensive English Progams in the United States. The results show that respondents consider OE and LLE to be important experiences for ESL teachers, and strongly prefer native-english-speaking teachers, although non-native-english-speaking teachers have both OE and LLE. Results suggest that OLLE may be considered a separate factor, but sample size was too small to confirm this.
The author suggests that a larger sample and improved questions could more clearly delineate these beliefs, and that non-native-English-speaking teachers should inform ESL programs and students and about the advantages they can offer as a part of the teaching team.