The Myth of the Native Speaker as a Model of English Proficiency Richard Watson Todd KMUTT ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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. ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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. ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

สอนโดยอาจารย์จากประเทศออสเตรเลียและอังกฤษ Some ads for schools Native language speaking tutors. Professional foreign teachers สอนโดยอาจารย์จากประเทศออสเตรเลียและอังกฤษ Anyone can say they can teach Thai but for teachers with the qualifications, experience and standards you deserve, come to … ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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 ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

Some ads for jobs Native English speaker only (UK, USA, AUS, NZ, CAN) Native English teacher from UK, USA, CAN, NZ English teacher American/British only wanted Native speakers of English are preferred Requirements: Native-like proficiency ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

MoE initiatives More bilingual programmes More international schools Higher language requirements for teachers Native speaker teachers for all secondary schools ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

Why NS teachers? Better pronunciation Better grammar Better vocabulary ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

NSs’ knowledge of English Using the language  knowing the language Knowing the language  ability to explain the language e.g. difference between เม็ด and เมล็ด Do NSs really use English correctly? ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

Do NSs provide a better model for pronunciation? End-goal of pronunciation teaching Critical age and fossilisation English as an International Language: no NS model Tourists and businessmen are not NSs No clear need for NS teachers for pronunciation ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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. ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

Results concerning vocabulary Appropriate word selection is not a problem Spelling is a serious problem ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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. ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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. ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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. ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

Results concerning grammar Generally few problems No problems with syntax Problems with commonly confused words Problems with apostrophes ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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 ... ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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. ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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 ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

Conclusions NS teachers do not always provide a ‘good’ model of English The advantages of NS teachers are not as clear as may seem ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

Conclusions Many NS teachers make no errors Errors of NSs and NNSs are different NS teachers may have non-linguistic advantages teaching style teaching techniques ©2006 Richard Watson Todd

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