©2006 richard watson todd the myth of the native speaker as a model of english proficiency richard...

©2006 Richard Watson Todd

The Myth of the Native Speaker as a Model of English Proficiency

Richard Watson ToddKMUTT


Some quotes

Almost all parents would rather their child be taught English by a native English speaker and are only concerned with that person’s knowledge of the target language.

It is absolutely not necessary, or even advantageous, to be taught by a bilingual teacher.


Some quotes

Native speakers are the best teachers of their own language.

Some people seem to believe that if you can speak a language, you can teach it.

Thai teachers of English are weak in English writing for lack of practice.

Filipinos teaching English rob children of a good education.


Some ads for schools

Native language speaking tutors. Professional foreign teachers

สอนโดยอาจารยจากประเทศออสเตรเลี�ยแลีะอ�งกฤษ

Anyone can say they can teach Thai but for teachers with the qualifications, experience and standards you deserve, come to …


Some ads for jobs

We are seeking native English speakers. Now! … require Native Speaker teaching

English Natv English Speaker Wanted Wanted: 20 Native English teacher Native English speakers, female, work with

small kids


Some ads for jobs Native English speaker only (UK, USA, AU

S, NZ, CAN) Native English teacher from UK, USA, CA

N, NZ English teacher American/British only want

ed Native speakers of English are preferred Requirements: Native-like proficiency


MoE initiatives

More bilingual programmes More international schools Higher language requirements for teachers Native speaker teachers for all secondary

schools


Why NS teachers?

Better pronunciation Better grammar Better vocabulary


NSs’ knowledge of English

Using the language knowing the language Knowing the language ability to explain

the language

– e.g. difference between เม็�ด and เม็ลี�ด Do NSs really use English correctly?


Do NSs provide a better model for pronunciation?

– End-goal of pronunciation teaching– Critical age and fossilisation– English as an International Language: no NS m

odel– Tourists and businessmen are not NSs

No clear need for NS teachers for pronunciation


Data on NS teachers’ use of English

Corpus of informal NS teacher writing 12,000 words collected from bulletin boards

concerning ELT in Thailand General culture of written language Ignore NNS contributors, typos etc.


Results concerning vocabulary

Appropriate word selection is not a problem Spelling is a serious problem


Spelling problems with uncommon words

It would depend a lot on the indevidual student ... Preperation is of course a must ... ... one of the most important facters in regards to

time manegement. ... to annalize as a class. Those last sujestions were very helpful. ... any unacommadating schools or institutions.


Spelling problems with uncommon words

... might eleviate this feeling. ... changed the tence atmosphere ... I try to suppliment the coursework. Will they be of benefit or hinderence? ... as apposed to a question. ... in hind site it has been worthwhile.


Spelling problems with common words

All I ever here on this board is ... ... to be doing, dispite whether they are .... ... useing different pictures ... ... it may be easyer to tell a student ... ... but will not allways make enough ... ... the song "All ways look on the bright side of life". ... then youll loose interest from your students. ... as this seams to be an exam subject. ... to find out the rules of language for themselfs.


Results concerning grammar

Generally few problems No problems with syntax Problems with commonly confused words Problems with apostrophes


Problems with commonly confused words

Their not what I thought they are. They don't know what there talking about! ... when I worked their, the gates ... ... the student sleeping obviously work's to hard. You think he is too nice too be true. ... one of the most important facters in regards to time

manegement. I would of thought ... I find my self-defending us all the time ...


Problems with apostrophes ... and the teacher did'nt have the lesson planned ... ... on what you should and should'nt do. ... with other westerners and Thai's. I enjoyed reading book's, comic's etc. ... if you can find a book the student's are going to enjoy. ... the student sleeping obviously work's to hard. They alway's were at the end of the day. A taperecorder in the classroom has it's uses. ... taping students stories and playing ... ... leads into a preview of todays lesson.


Some caveats

About half of the regular contributors made no errors

Most errors do not interfere with comprehension The errors are different to those made by NNSs

BUT contributors to bulletin boards are likely to be more dedicated than other teachers


Conclusions

NS teachers do not always provide a ‘good’ model of English

The advantages of NS teachers are not as clear as may seem


Conclusions

Many NS teachers make no errors Errors of NSs and NNSs are different NS teachers may have non-linguistic advant

ages– teaching style– teaching techniques


Conclusions

Employment of teachers should be based on– quality of English (not necessarily NSs)– quality of teaching– dedication– NOT place of birth– DEFINITELY NOT skin colour

©2006 richard watson todd the myth of the native speaker as a model of english proficiency richard...

Documents

n preperation

n filipinos

n native english teacher

n native speakers of

n thai teachers of english

english n natv english

schools n native language

jobs n native english