Page 6 - ELG2202 Feb Issue 479

NEWS .

Teacher sues over native-speakerism

By Gerald Nikolai Smith
“We are only allowed to hire native
speaker[s]. I am so sorry as your
CV is really interesting.”
Rachel Tsateri received this
message after applying for a job PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK. POSED BY MODEL
with an inlingua language school
in Germany, one of over 50
licensees of the Swiss-based brand
in that country. Despite over
seven years’ experience teaching
English and multiple diplomas,
Rachel was not even considered
for the position. The only reason:
her first language is not English,
but Greek.
Rachel responded to the
original email, pointing out that
hiring only native speakers is
discrimination. The company
employee responded, “I will not
discuss about discrimination. To
work with native speakers is part
of our method and our head office
will surely explain that to you.”
Rachel contacted the inlingua
head office in Switzerland, but
never received a response.
In the European Union it is
illegal to discriminate on the basis of Language discrimination still exists in the EU even though it’s illegal there
“... race, colour, ethnic or social
origin...language, religion or
belief”. With this in mind, Rachel Working part-time and studying have come across as a language employment in several countries,
posted about her experience as well, Rachel was hesitant at first educator in my 15 years of so we adapted the licence contract
on Facebook. Her professional about suing the inlingua school, teaching and education”. with the inlingua licensees more
network shot back their support, but after so many other teachers The inlingua school concerned than 15 years ago and changed
advising her to contact both the came forward to support her, she is not shy about their bias for to the expression ‘mother tongue
TEFL Workers’ Union and the decided to hire a lawyer. native speakers either. They proficiency’”.
Federal Anti-Discrimination Meanwhile, the German published on their site “[our The company, which has
Agency in Germany. school, which had not replied to method] is successful and licensees in 36 countries, never
her original complaint, responded effective because the training is enforces the use of native-speaker
Because the to her social media posts, writing, done by native speakers”. teachers in places where it is
company never “Dear Rachel, we are sorry that illegal to employ people on the
basis of their first language. “Our
you feel that you have not been
interviewed Rachel, treated fairly”. It has been a licensees are aware of this and the
They explained that hiring only
they could not native speakers is part of their quality feature case you are referring to is, as far
as I know, an isolated incident”.
comment upon her ‘method’, continuing: “An integral of inlingua for Rachel is continuing with
language expertise part of this method, and a unique decades that the her case against the school and
selling point, is the requirement
encourages others to speak
or accent that teachers teach in their inlinga schools out, saying, “No more culture
native language.” primarily work with of silence. I hope more [non-
Both organisations confirmed The community rallied around native English speaking] teachers
what Rachel knew: denying Rachel. One post read, “Dear native speakers start naming and shaming centres.”
work based on a candidate’s first inlingua, Rachel feels she has
language is indeed discriminatory been treated unfairly because she The Gazette contacted inlingua Gerald Nikolai
and she could sue. *has* been treated unfairly. ‘Feel’ head office for comment. CEO Jürg Smith is an
They also added that, is a linking verb used to express Heiniger responded, confirming online ESL
because the company never a sentiment, not a fact. Being that, “It has been a quality feature teacher and
interviewed Rachel, they could native is not a qualification.” of inlingua for decades that the MSc journalism
not comment upon her language Another pointed out that inlingua schools primarily work student at the
expertise or accent. Simply put, “the idea that a teacher can only with native speakers”. University of Sterling. A native
there was no justification for teach their native language is However, he emphasises, “We Texan, he lives in a small town
not giving her a chance based on woefully behind the times and are aware that being a native in Scotland.
her background. not supported by any research I speaker cannot be a condition for
6 February 2022