Writing Challenge: English teacher vs teacher of English

Big deal? Maybe not. Some members here may find it confusing, though.

'An English teacher' usually means someone who teachs English, but it may sound like someone who's from Britain, or the UK. And, it can also refer to someone who teachs English and is from Britain. English is now such an important widely-used language, which's really something the British should be proud of. Some Britons or Brits (whatever you call British citizens), however, may not feel anything special when they hear you using the word 'English'.

So, some people may think it safer to say 'a teacher of English' instead of 'An English teacher'. Another alternative is 'An English language teacher'. An English language teacher can be anybody who teachs English or English language, no matter what nationality they have. You can say 'an English language teacher from Britain' if the teacher happens to be a Brit, whose first language or mother tongue is English.

That said, we can always make it simple just by saying 'An English teacher' since 'English' also means 'English language'. Also, we can say 'an English learner' instead of 'an English language learner' or 'a learner of English'.

I hope I didn't make it even more confusing.

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Comments

Expector Smith July 6, 2015 7:18

@Onee

Thanks!
Onee-chan July 6, 2015 2:32

Expector,, it should be "teaches", right?

Well, I got it. Many thanks. :)
Expector Smith June 11, 2015 22:50

@Onee

Any of them is acceptable.
Onee-chan June 11, 2015 2:35

Expector,,

Oh, no. I got a bit confused now.

So, the formal writing is "A teacher of English" or "An English Language Teacher" or "An English Teacher"? :))
Expector Smith June 8, 2015 14:44

@Marielow

Thanks for the comment. Yes, it may sound informal, but colloquial words and expression are quite acceptable here - I don't think it's a good idea to use them in a business letter or other formal situations.
Lady Harmony June 8, 2015 14:10

Yeah but writing a blog like answering a chat is not the appropriate one. "Though" at the last sentence isn't applicable for formal writing. It looks like a phrase and incomplete.
Expector Smith June 8, 2015 14:07

@Alice

Yes, you can be an English teacher, even though you're not from the UK:))
Alice E. June 8, 2015 7:10

I guess that makes all of us here English teachers since we all have the chance at one time or another to teach each other. :)
Expector Smith June 7, 2015 21:56

@Rhaani

Yes, you can say you're an English learner, even though you're not from the UK.
Expector Smith June 7, 2015 13:23

@Anah

Thanks!

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