TeachingEnglish
Would you teach your students to speak naturally?
Submitted by sleepytiger on 22 September, 2009 - 06:30
Hi everyone,
I am an English teacher in a foreign language context (EFL). my question is :
What are the benefits and implication of teaching students to speak naturally or like native speakers?
Any suggestions will be welcomed.
Thank you
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Down here, where English is the second or third language, you find a very strong mother tongue influence in the tone, which takes the sophistication out and also creates a barrier in understanding. There is no need to imitate an accent but it is essential to ensure that students get the pronunciation right.
The critical areas where you should focus is the rate of speech and pronunciation. The rate of speech should be between 140-160 words per minute. As far as pronunciation is concerned, you need to make it clear to the students that they need to speak consciously to get the right pronunciation. You could also record their voices at periodic intervals to show them where they stand in terms of the progress made.
I see language as a tool, not as an aspect of personality.
I don't think it's unreasonable to have a variety of accents to use to suit different situations; it does help you fit in, and it can facilitate communication. This being so, changing one's accent for specific purposes makes as much sense as changing one's clothing or carrying a different box of tools.
It is, however, rather difficult for most people to master multiple pronunciations, even of their native languages, and so perhaps for that reason it is uncommon to see people who adapt the accent to the situation.
Ref: http://www.neutralaccent.com
Advantages of using connected speech:
Note that all these aspects make it easier the listener.
Speaking natural English and writing natural English are always a sought - after achievement in case of ESL/EFL students. So connected speech is a help for listeners. In terms of production of some sounds we often encounter some problems because of our MT AND INHERENT ARTICULATORY systems.How to neutralise? Speaking slowly can help learners achieve certain level of accuracy and hearers, too understand speakers well.In what way can speaking slowly be difficult for learners?
I actually joined because I was thinking about this for my speaking and pron lesson tomorrow. We listened for differences between fairly 'standard' UK and US accents, and myself and the students found that the Americans often enunciate each syllable more, don't use the shwa for everything etc. The students found the US accent easier to understand.
So I'm thinking why am I teaching them UK pronunciation? Not that I think US is superior, and I can't teach it anyway but as English is a world language is there some kind of middle way we can teach?
I feel wrong drilling them with my accent, as none of them have requested or need to sound like a British person, and most people never do anyway. On the other hand, I want to help them be understood and speak in more flowing English.
Very interested to hear your thoughts, and any ideas for what I can do in my pron lessons.
Learning to speak naturally (not necessary like a native speaker) is our target in the speaking class. so, first, we speak slowly to make sure the listener understand; 2nd, we speak with appropriate tone and pace to get fluency; last but not the least, we work on stress and intonnation. Language is for communication, not for acting like star, so we just learn patiently.
Neutral accent is a commen accent. It doesn't belong to a particular country.
A direct question put to anyone in the accent training business about what accent they were aiming for produced the same (puzzled) answer: a neutral accent
Speaking naturally doesn't necessarily mean speaking like a native speaker. What your question is probably about is if teachers should teach students to speak without any trace of foreign accent.
English has become more globalised, more international, with the number of non-native speakers higher than native speakers. Students must be exposed to all kinds of accents and language varieties so that they can be comfortable interacting with all people from all parts of the world. We can't teach only British English or only American English.
I like it when students try to use good pronunciation, following a pattern, e.g. British English. I like pronunciation exercises, repetition, drills (though not very popular these days). I find them very useful to help students develop good pronunciation and intonation. But I can't expect them to be like native-speakers. Being like a native speaker involves not only the language, but also social and cultural elements.
Having an accent also means that you have roots, a national or cultural background.
My experience is EFL in Brazil.
"Speaking naturally doesn't necessarily mean speaking like a native speaker." That's exactly what I wanted to say, too.
My first comments in this section were based on the belief that it's important to use connected speech with contractions, linking, elision, weak forms, natural intonation, grouping words more meaningfully, etc.
Interestingly, I often meet Chinese learners of English in Beijing who have tried really, really hard to imitate 'an American accent' and their pronunciation, with extremely overexaggerated R's and awkward intonation patterns, sounds very unnatural and is really quite difficult to understand... whereas most of the people I meet who have a standard Northern Chinese accent speak English clearly and naturally and are easy to understand.
I think its better to teach towards getting thw words correct and understanding the language, teaching accents is much harder especially for adults. To improve pronounciation they can always watch videos and repeat what they see, but this would only work once they've understood the language!