When using an authentic audio or video it is important to use only ‘native speakers’.

When using an authentic audio or video it is important to use only ‘native speakers’.

Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons.

I can say that I disagree. Totally.

One of the little illuminating moments happened when some time ago I came across a Ukrainian youtuber who lives in Poland and talks about this country in Polish. I watched some of his videos and I enjoyed them immensely.

His material is authentic and it provides really interesting content. Does he have an accent? Yes, he does. Does he make mistakes? Yes, he does. But what he says is more important.

Do we need models in the form of so-called 'native speakers'? Of course, we do. Do we have to remember that we will also communicate with people for whom English is not L1? Of course, we do.

And if we decided that it is 'native speakers' only in audios and videos, we should be consistent and ban 'non-natives' from the classroom. Do we want this to happen?