Sorry, I'm not the kind of person that likes to hide behind nuances of words or statements. If you can speak English near native level and undestand most of the idioms, surely you are qualified to teach it.

I have state very clearly that many claim to speak and write English, and put themselves out as teachers, and are not really qualified. I have seen this in real life. 

And I think both you and Cristina are chauvinists. How dare you determine what my life experience was?

I will not be baited into a debate. I made a comment. That's it. All who read this may cease with ad hominem attacks they wish to project upon me.

@Matteo: Christina does not set the standards.  Countries set the standards of who can legally be a teacher in the specific country.  She just mentioned that once a person has met the standards set by their country (for example Egypt) the only option they have for improving their conversational skills is finding English native speakers to chat with.  I have a feeling you were being unfair to Christina with this comment.  "But perhaps your standards aren't that high." I think this is untrue and you can not logically extrapolate that from what she said.

You are possibly implying standards for English teachers should be higher because you feel there are low in some countries.  She is saying that the only way for people to maintain or improve their level is to practice speaking with native English speakers.  You are talking about completely different subjects.

I will not be baited into a dust up. So by suck flawed logic: I will hang out a shingle as a Russian teacher, a language I barely speak.

But it's okay. I practise at least once a week with a native?

C'mon. It's a bit of stretch?

But perhaps your standards aren't that high.

The first jobs that come to mind are not the ones that will bring you money, if you ask me. Teacher, translator, tourist guide... Those sectors are so saturated that most professionals make a bare minimum.

I think you should look at the "hidden" parts of job descriptions: where are employers more likely to hire a candidate who speaks three languages instead of the candidate plus three translators? Multinationals often use translating software, true, but many among them try to keep their foreign contacts happy by hiring someone who speaks the language. Tourism professionals speak decent english, but a hotel manager will hire the one who can speak to the odd tourist in his language. 

You shouldn't approach the job as someone who speaks x languages, but a someone who can do the job perfectly and in x languages at that.

@Matteo

How else is a non native speaker supposed to maintain their level? I think constant practice with native speakers is exactly what they should be doing. 

I admire the fact you can speak all those languages. However, I regret to say it doesn't matter much.

Regardless of your ethnicity or political affiliation, English is the universal language of the world now.

I once applied for a job at a Brazilian Restuarant, and the manager spoke three languages: Bra. Portuguese, Spanish, and English. Which language do you think he spoke to me in?  I finished watching this documentary about German businessmen in India. Guess what language they spoke to the Indians in?

That and you have barrier to employment. To be an EU translator I believe you have to be an EU citizen, and complete whatever certification they require. I was offered a job in Mexico to teach English, but I couldn't be hired because they said I had complete (a lot) of paperwork (and redtape) to get my work permit. 

You could be a teacher here, but you won't make a lot of money.

Final point, I welcome all opinions and viewpoints, but unfortunately I have met many who said they were English teachers, inverted commas, and they really were not. I was also disheartened when an English teacher in Egypt spoke to me once in a chat room to improve her English. I was polite, of course, but I thought really? You're kidding? You're teaching English and you can barely speak the language?  

It'd be fun to hear others opinions. Good luck in finding a good job.