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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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