Professional Learning
Whakangūngū
Services
Ratonga
About Us
Mō mātou
Blog
Rangitaki
Contact
Whakapā mai
Educational Leadership
Empowering school leadership
Māori Education & Support
Kaupapa Māori
Pacific-Led Education
Cultural competencies
Languages, Culture & Identity
Learning languages
Back
Mō mātou

About Us

Tui Tuia | Learning Circle empowers Kāhui Ako, kaiako, teachers, school leaders and tumuaki to achieve better outcomes for students and learners.

Back
School leaders

Educational Leadership

To grow a thriving village of leaders.

Back
Kaupapa Māori

Māori Education & Support

Our kaiwhakaruruhau specialise in facilitating kaupapa Māori professional learning and development.

Back
All languages are to be treasured

Languages, Culture & Identity

We offer programmes, workshops, in-person classroom support, online support and resources to help strengthen language learning in New Zealand schools.

Back
Cultural competencies

Pacific-Led Education

Empowering educators, students, and communities to shape a future of educational excellence that is firmly rooted in Pacific identity and aspirations.

Back
Improving instructional dexterity

Literacy and Numeracy

We work with schools to build the literacy and numeracy capability of school leaders and teachers to accelerate learning outcomes for all students.

Languages

Is it enough to know a target language to be able to teach the language?

November 16, 2023

Reflecting on my own experience of language teaching, the journey began when I was asked to teach my native language due to my proficiency in the language. Although I was enthusiastic about teaching this language, I quickly realised that speaking a language does not automatically make me a competent teacher. It was more than simply expressing words—it was about helping students grasp the language's nuances and guiding them through the learning process.

As I delved into the professional development programmes like the GROW for supporting first and second year language teachers, I discovered that theories and methodologies are fundamental to effective language instruction. Practical knowledge, such as lesson planning, creating engaging activities, and assessing students, became equally crucial alongside language fluency.

One important lesson I learned when I was new to language teaching is that effective language teaching isn't just about what you know; it's about how you share that knowledge. A balanced approach that combines theoretical understanding with practical skills is essential. Language teachers must adapt their methods to meet the diverse needs of students while still ensuring learning languages are enjoyable.

Being a native speaker offers an authentic language model, but the combination of theory and practical knowledge allows me to be a more adaptable teacher. Effective language instruction requires ongoing exploration of pedagogical approaches and staying updated with language education research. So, is knowing the target language enough to teach it? In my experience, the answer is a no. Teaching is a forever evolving process that demands a blend of theoretical understanding and practical application.

SHARE THIS INSIGHT
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG
You successfully subscribed
Error submitting
Stay in the know
Subscribe to our newsletter for news and updates!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Is it enough to know a target language to be able to teach the language?

Reflecting on my own experience of language teaching, the journey began when I was asked to teach my native language due to my proficiency in the language. Although I was enthusiastic about teaching this language, I quickly realised that speaking a language does not automatically make me a competent teacher. It was more than simply expressing words—it was about helping students grasp the language's nuances and guiding them through the learning process.

As I delved into the professional development programmes like the GROW for supporting first and second year language teachers, I discovered that theories and methodologies are fundamental to effective language instruction. Practical knowledge, such as lesson planning, creating engaging activities, and assessing students, became equally crucial alongside language fluency.

One important lesson I learned when I was new to language teaching is that effective language teaching isn't just about what you know; it's about how you share that knowledge. A balanced approach that combines theoretical understanding with practical skills is essential. Language teachers must adapt their methods to meet the diverse needs of students while still ensuring learning languages are enjoyable.

Being a native speaker offers an authentic language model, but the combination of theory and practical knowledge allows me to be a more adaptable teacher. Effective language instruction requires ongoing exploration of pedagogical approaches and staying updated with language education research. So, is knowing the target language enough to teach it? In my experience, the answer is a no. Teaching is a forever evolving process that demands a blend of theoretical understanding and practical application.