After a couple of false starts, I'm now on track in terms of the Week 2 materials writing assignment but with a busy weekend coming up it won't be finished until Monday, so ahead of that here's my response to the discussion question.
When using an authentic audio or video it is important to use only ‘native speakers’.
Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons.
I disagree for many of the same reasons already given. In my own context at a UK university, I’m very aware that many of the academics (professors, lecturers, researchers, PhD students) are non-native speakers, and so ‘authentic’ audio or video requires the use of non-native speakers of English.
I do, however, make a point of highlighting this fact for students for two reasons. Firstly, some of the students I’ve taught have expected authentic materials to focus almost exclusively on native speakers, helping them understand ‘real’ English and ‘real’ accents. They have not been aware of the extent to which their studies at a university in a native English-speaking country will involve interacting with non-native academic staff. Non-native English is real English.
Secondly, I wish to use these non-native academic staff as role models for my students, raising their awareness of how much research, how many innovative ideas, and how much agenda setting rests on non-native speakers of English.
Some excellent points here. I think it's always useful to talk about 'why' we do things with our students - when they are of an age to understand our reasonings. Very often students have no idea why we use this or that. Explaining empowers students and helps when they take control of their own learning.
ReplyDeleteKatherine Bilsborough Thanks for the comment Katherine - I'll be starting a new course this week and making the rationale for activities clearer to students will now be one of my teaching objectives.
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