native teacher

NewguestHi

Can I say that someone is a native teacher?

I don't see why not!

No. That certainly doesn't sound correct to my ear. I think you mean a teacher who is a native speaker of (English, ...).

The first thought I had (being American) was a "native American" (i.e., American Indian) who is a teacher.
The second thought was a teacher of "native Americans" (i.e., one who teaches American Indians).

CJ

The expression "native teacher" sounds quite odd to my ear, too.
Like CJ, I'd stick with "native speaker" (if that is in fact what you mean).

CalifJimNo. That certainly doesn't sound correct to my ear. I think you mean a teacher who is a native speaker of (English, ...).

The first thought I had (being American) was a "native American" (i.e., American Indian) who is a teacher.
The second thought was a teacher of "native Americans" (i.e., one who teaches American Indians).

CJ

But if someone is teaching English in a country where English is not the primary language, and you call that person a "native teacher," it's not clear whether you mean a native speaker of English,or a native of that particular country! Personally, I would probably assume you meant that the teacher was a native of the country in which he/she was teaching.

Hi Goodman,

Happy New Year to you, too!

As for "native teachers", I think it's a little too confusing for me (following khoff's line of thought). I would figure out what it meant, I suppose, but even so, I wouldn't use it.

CJ

Thanks for all replies. I meant native speaker of English of course.

Happy New Year 2008!