L

The native and the non-

peake

Aims
To show how different attitudes and behaviours can be adopted by native and non-native speakers of
a language.

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Procedure

Outcomes

1 Draw on students experience of speaking a

language other than their own first language. Ask
them to compare their performances in each
language, and try to identify typical signs:
nervousness, hesitation, apparent inadequacy in
the speaker, and impatience and frustration in
the listener. Usually the language in question will
be English, but some students may have
experience of another language being used in a
similar situation.

A few of the statements may be clearly typical of

the monolingual native speaker (9, 11), or the non
native speaker (1, 16, 24), but many will be
applicable to both (3, 6, even 8). Encourage
students to see the situation from as many angles
as possible, and to discuss ways of minimising
problems or friction (see Development).

2 Introduce the task. Make sure the list of attitudes

and behaviours is clear, and ask pairs or groups
to decide which of the five categories to place
each one in. Ask them to consider implications
carefully, as some of the decisions may not be as
clear-cut as appears. For example, Asks for
repetition will obviously be typical of the non
native speaker, but it could also be a frequent
activity of the native speaker who has difficulty
understanding a strong accent. Although
students should enter a number, ask them to be
ready to explain details of this kind when they
give their feedback: see Outcomes.

fly

Development
Use students experience of the native/non-native
speaker situation to develop a discussion of ways of
making both sides feel comfortable, including
developing attitudes of tolerance, patience and
assertiveness.

Linked activities
2.5, 3.2, 4.3, 5.6, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.10

Further reading
For a polemical viewpoint of the role of English, see
English as a Lingua Franca: D ouble Talk in G lobal
Persuasion, by Karin Dovring, 1997, New York:
Greenwood Press.

II The native and the non-native speaker

Many international meetings are held in English. In such meetings some of the
participants use their native language, others a language which they have learnt
with different degrees of success. This can affect attitudes and behaviour.
Read the list below. Assess how typical the attitudes and behaviours in the list are
of native speakers or non-native speakers. Put the appropriate number in the box.
1 = Very typical of native speaker
4 = Typical of non-native speaker

2 = Typical of native speaker 3 = Neutral

5 = Very typical of non-native speaker

1 Accepts decisions more easily

2

Agrees with suggested agenda

Asks for repetition

Finds communication a problem

Finds interrupting difficult

Gets frustrated by breakdowns in

communication

Hesitates often

Holds back even when he/she has

something important to say

Imposes decisions

10 Interrupts regularly
11

Is not aware of language problems

12 Makes many suggestions

13 Misunderstands the meaning of other

participants

14 Organises the agenda

15 Reacts instinctively
16 Reacts more slowly

17 Sees few difficulties in communication

18 Speaks fast

19 Speaks slowly
20 Spends a lot of time listening
21

Spends a lot of time speaking

22

Uses dense language and idiom

23

Uses simple language

24 Is over-sensitive

Intercultural Resource Pack Cambridge University Press 2004

Photocopiable

6 Culture and nommuninatinn

6.8