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.

Whilst I think it is important to include 'native speakers', I disagree that we should only use native speakers, unless that is what our institution/customers explicitly request.

Firstly, learners have many different goals and needs that we should be aware of (e.g. the advertising manager I taught who needed to understand Thai English as that's where they were making their next commercial; the Japanese concert manager who needed to understand East European Englishes as that's where a lot of his business/musicians came from; the fashion business owner who made regular trips to Vietnam and Thailand to talk to suppliers; and the international student who studied abroad at an UK campus in Malaysia).

Secondly, in this globalised world, even though learners may think they're going to need a certain type of English, for example, because they're going to study in the UK, that fact is that they will encounter a variety of world Englishes as well as local variations. And if they need to call any company and speak to customer service, they may be located in India, the Philippines, or elsewhere, and there may be a variety within that location, too.

Thirdly, learners may need to be reminded that there are many varieties of 'native-speaker' with different local accents, pronciation, slang, etc (e.g. South African English, Kiwi English, Indian English; Geordie, Scouse, and so on). Whilst it isn't necessary to learn them all or be exposed to everything, it's good to find out what type of English students will most likely encounter and need to understand. For example, I had a Japanese student going to Newcastle for one year study abroad. Even as a Londoner myself, it can be challenge to understand some Geordies so I introduced some movies for her to watch and we looked for radio stations as well as interviews/talks by famous Geordies. These days, however, it's increasingly easy to find helpful stuff on YouTube, e.g. How to Speak Geordie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZZ_AqyAZYw

There are also a few lists and resources that have been shared by English language teachers already, such as this one 20 years ago:
https://linguistlist.org/issues/9/9-1612.html

For young learners, too, consider different age-appropriate cartoons, e.g. Sesame Street (US), Bob The Builder (UK & US), Thomas (UK & US) Chuggington (UK), and Peppa Pig (UK), or dramas.

Music, TED and TED Ed Talks are also good resources of course but may be challenging so it can be helpful to find other sources adapted for learners:

Voice of America News
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/

English Language Listening Lab Online:
http://www.elllo.org/

and more!

On the other hand, I do tend to emphasise the benefits of developing clear pronunciation and enunciation in order for students to be more easily understod regardless of where they go.