The Validity of Hiring Native and Non-Native English-Speaking Instructors: Professional Observers', Learners', and Programme Administrators' Perceptions

In the recent past, considerable attention has been directed towards issues relating to non-native English speaker teachers (NNESTs) and native (NESTs) in language teaching (ELT), especially their employability as teachers. This study aimed investigate hiring process for an a foreign (EFL) instructor position. The adopted mixed-design approach using structured questionnaire on 212 students from Preparatory Year Program (PYP) at Princess Nora University (PNU) Common First (CFY) King Saud (KSU) semi-structured interviews six programme administrators professional observers higher education institutions Saudi Arabia achieve study’s objectives. Specifically, this examined three areas: a) administrators’ perception of criteria both NESTs NNESTs; b) observers' used, linking them performance NNESTs EFL classes providing that they deem necessary; c) learners' characteristics effective support latter's perception. results revealed being was not important administrators, observers, learners. However, learners gave more importance other such pedagogical skills, personal qualities, ability teach.