Challenges of Teaching English & Native Speaker Bias
Apr 27, 2024
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Guests Irina, Richard, and Maria share their unique experiences in language teaching and learning, from adopting an American persona in China to navigating accent biases. They discuss challenges in pronunciation, 'native-speakerism' bias, and the transformative power of education. Explore the nuances of language acquisition and the importance of fair evaluation based on skills rather than linguistic background.
The challenges of mastering accents and dialects in English language learning are underscored, emphasizing the importance of clear communication.
The podcast advocates for inclusivity in language teaching, challenging biases towards native speakers and promoting diversity in educational environments.
Deep dives
Language Teaching and Learning Insights
Language teaching and learning can be a rewarding journey, with experiences ranging from embracing teaching as a passion to discovering unexpected talents. The podcast guests, including Richard, Irina, and Maria, share diverse stories of their paths to becoming English teachers. From Irina's initial reluctance to teach to discovering a love for it in China, Maria's transition from finance to teaching English, to Richard's unexpected journey from wanting to learn English due to admiration for Michael Jordan and Tupac Shakur, each story highlights the unique motivations and growth in the language teaching profession.
Accent Challenges and Understanding Dialects
The podcast delves into the complexities of pronunciation and accents in English language learning. Personal anecdotes of struggles with accents and dialects, such as Richard's initial difficulties understanding regional accents in the UK and Maria's experiences with Scottish neighbors, underscore the challenges learners face in grasping variations in pronunciation. Emphasizing the importance of clarity and communication in mastering accents, the discussion navigates the significance of proper pronunciation while appreciating the diversity of English language variations.
Navigating Phrasal Verbs and Language Challenges
Exploring the intricacies of language learning, the podcast shines a light on the complexities of mastering phrasal verbs and idiomatic language. The conversation reveals the nuanced difficulties learners encounter with phrasal verbs, requiring dedicated effort to understand each one's contextual usage. Drawing on personal experiences, the guests highlight the continuous learning process in language acquisition, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice and contextual understanding to overcome language challenges effectively.
Native Speakerism and Inclusivity in Teaching
Addressing the concept of native speakerism, the podcast advocates for inclusivity and diversity in language teaching. The discussion challenges biases towards native speakers as superior teachers and highlights the importance of individual skillset, experience, and teaching abilities over native speaker status. By celebrating the richness of diverse teaching approaches and experiences, the podcast promotes breaking down language teaching stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive and dynamic educational environment for both teachers and students.
E248: 🎙️ Welcome to The English Like a Native Podcast, your go-to resource for intermediate to advanced English learners. I'm Anna, your host, and in today's episode, we're delving into the fascinating world of language teaching and learning with some remarkable guests: Irina, Richard, and Maria, each with their unique stories and insights into the realm of English education.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 Irina shares her extraordinary experience of teaching English in China, where she had to adopt an American persona to comply with a company's wishes. Richard recounts his journey from Hungary to the UK, navigating language barriers and dialect diversity along the way. And Maria reflects on her transition from finance to teaching, highlighting the transformative power of education.
📝🗣 Together, we explore the nuances of language acquisition, from the challenges of pronunciation to the unfortunate 'native-speakerism' bias that is prevalent in English-language teaching today.
Join English Like A Native Plus - a membership allowing you to access the bonus episodes, plus live classes and all podcasts' transcripts & vocab lists. Become a Plus Member here: https://englishlikeanative.co.uk/elan-podcast/
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