JUST LIKE ME:

Near-peer role
models in ELT
Kathryn O’Dell
Cambridge author
What is a “near-
peer role
model”?

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Role
model
Near-peer
role model
• Age
• Gender
• Nationality
• Interests
• Social & professional models
• Life experiences

Peer
What are you afraid of?

Celeste
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Language
learners’
input
Learner-
centered
content
•a.k.a. peer-generated content
•a.k.a. student-generated
content
Teacher •a.k.a. learner-centered design
input &
decision
making
Why use near-
peers as role
models?

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More realistic role models
• Near-peer role models = more achievable
and realistic than native speakers
• Variation is a normal and not to be feared
• Stronger results: motivation, confidence,
engagement
Cook (1999), Murphey (1998), Murphey & Arao (2001),
Sung (2013)
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Focus on effective communication
• Demonstrating effective communication in
L2
• Variations of grammar or pronunciation are
not prohibitive
• Increased comfort and confidence in L2
Murphy (2014)

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 Interview
Manu Ginóbili

Source for audio: FIBA. (August 9, 2008). Manu GINOBILI

exclusive interview [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctE3gPDHbc

© Cambridge University Press

 What can we think of the future of
Interview Argentina basketball after… ?

Manu Ginóbili Say again?

What about Argentina basketball

once you and all of your gold-
medal winning teammates are no
longer here? Is there promise for
the future?

Ah, ah, I thought you were

talking about me only. We’re…

Source for audio: FIBA. (August 9, 2008). Manu GINOBILI

exclusive interview [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctE3gPDHbc © Cambridge University Press
How can you
incorporate
near-peer role
models in class?

© Cambridge University Press

General good practice
• Learners should understand the principles
• Mix media (text, video, audio)
• Manage expectations!

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Peer conversations
• See & hear peers in target language
• Highlight successful communication at
different competency levels
• Could be supplemented with transcripts

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Share “learning histories”
• Challenges  Solutions
• Text / Video + activities
• Positive effect

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What are you afraid of?

Celeste
© Cambridge University Press
What type of weather
do you prefer?

Allison
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 JUST LIKE ME:
Near-peer role models in ELT

Q&A

© Cambridge University Press

 Thank you!

Kathryn O’Dell
Cambridge author
References
Cook, V. (1999). Going beyond the native speaker in language teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 33(2), pp.185-209.
Dörnyei, Z. (2009). The L2 motivational self system. In Dörnyei and Ushioda (eds.), pp.9-42.
Dörnyei, Z., & Kubanyiova, M. (2014). Motivating learners, motivating teachers: Building vision in the
language classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Dörnyei, Z. & Ushioda, E. eds., (2009). Motivation, language identity and the L2 self. Multilingual Matters.
Murphey, T. (1998). Motivating with near peer role models. On JALT97: Trends & Transitions, pp.201-205.
Murphey, T. and Arao, H. (2001). Reported belief changes through near peer role modeling. TESL-EJ, 5(3),
pp.1-15.
Murphy, J. M. (2014). Intelligible, comprehensible, non-native models in ESL/EFL pronunciation teaching.
System, 42, pp. 258-269.
Sung, C. C. M. (2013). ‘‘I would like to sound like Heidi Klum’: What do non-native speakers say about who
they want to sound like?’ English Today, Vol. 29, Issue 2, pp. 17-21.

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