A native English teacher, also known as a native English speaking teacher or NEST, is an English teacher who speaks English as their first language. English teachers who teach the language to non-native English speakers, either in a non-English speaking country or to immigrants who have moved to an English speaking country, are referred to as native English teachers. A native English teacher can work as an English educator in her home country or abroad, and she can work in private or public schools in both cases. A native English teacher will frequently teach not only the language but also writing and literature, particularly English literature. A native English teacher can speak any dialect of English, including Australian, British, Indian, and American English.
Teaching English to students who do not speak it as a first language is known as teaching English as a second language (ESL) or teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) (TEFL). On a global scale, this type of instruction is provided by both native English speakers and teachers who speak a language other than English as their first language. The majority of English teachers are not native English speakers. It is estimated that about 20% of English teachers worldwide speak English as their first language. A person who is an English teacher but whose first language is not English is referred to as a non-native English speaking teacher (NNEST).
Some educators argue that only a native English teacher can properly teach the language because only native English speakers are capable of mastering all of the language’s nuances, such as idioms and grammar, as well as cultural and literary references. Because of the emphasis on hiring native English teachers, those who speak English as a first language are sometimes given preference for English teaching jobs, even if they lack teaching credentials. Some educators argue that non-native English teachers can teach the language just as well as native English teachers, and that teaching credentials are important for an English teacher.
Some countries, such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, require English teachers to be native English speakers. In 1998, Hong Kong implemented a program known as the native English speaking teacher scheme (NET). This program gives government schools money to hire native English teachers in elementary and secondary schools.