Does being a native speaker mean you need to be from an english speaking country or a nativelike level is enough for a job?
I am looking for a job in Japan and I see this “native level” requirement.
I have a nativelike level so I am not sure if I should say in my resume that I am fluent in english or native.
I would like a little bit of help, thanks!
5 comments
Native Speaker: First language
Native Level Speaker: Not first language but indistinguishable from someone who is
If your English is so good that even a native speaker wouldn’t be able to tell that it’s not your first language, then for all intents and purposes you are a native speaker. That being said, and not to sound mean, it is *very* unusual to come across someone who’s first language is not English and yet they are so good that you would think it is their first language. English is one of those languages that is almost impossible for leaners to not sound foreign in unfortunately, which isn’t a problem in itself, but if you call yourself ‘native’ and then your interviewer is a native speaker, you will most likely get found out.
Oof good luck
Linguistics person here— you wouldn’t say that you are a native speaker. You could say that you speak English at a native-like level, or that you are fluent in English. Some places are familiar with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) which assigns a level from A1 to C2, with C2 being the highest/most fluent… but I’m not sure if this framework is used in Japan. But in the US, for instance, I mention on my resume that my Spanish is intermediate/B1. From what you’re saying, you would likely be C2 for English. Good luck!! 🍀
I wonder why these jobs want native level English, and why very high proficiency isn’t good enough. Maybe they’re just being overly picky?