1. Learners should only read the blogs by native English speakers? Learners want to learn standard English (AmE or BrE). They read and learn, but, if what they read is full of grammar, spelling or expression mistakes, what's the point of reading such blogs? Maybe you don't care who the blogs are by. Maybe you just want to communicate, not only to learn English, then it's fine. Maybe you'd say blogs by native speakers contain a few such mistakes, too. What's your viewpoint?
2. Do native speakers really want to come here and leave some comments for the learners? Imagine, if your mother tongue is Spanish and you see so many learners want to learn Spanish here, do you really want to take the time and respond to any questions? In doing so, what's the benefit you'd get? So, what could be the motivation for a native speaker to come here often? No wonder, learners often value the blogs by native speakers most! What do you think?!
All the possible comments are welcome and would be highly appreciated!
Comments
Nafis
We can learn something by reading blogs whoever wrote - native speakers or nonnative, students or teachers. You know this blog is my favorite. I hope you enjoyed reading it.
Yes, English is the most widely used language now in the world. We couldn't emphasize its importance too much. That's why learners from around the world take all the pains and efforts to learn this language.
I've noticed that you've been doing your best to help learners here learn or improve their English. You are doing a great job - I appreciate it greatly. I'm sure learners here are more than willing to read everything you write - your blogs, comments, messages, etc. As a native English speaker and role model here, you have already inspired so many English learners to pursue their goals.
Thanks again,
Expector
It is easier for native speakers to recognize the difference between regional and national variations of English, as opposed to usage mistakes. The official French language has a special group of people who decide on new words and usage issues. We do not have that in English. English actually belongs to no one person or country. It came from Germanic origins but has been a mixture of other languages and is influenced by other languages continually.
In a sense this makes it more difficult since it changes so quickly. But also, it gives it flexibility to be a world language. As far as reading blogs by English language learners (ELL's), I think it is a good way for people with different language backgrounds to communicate and have fun. There is hopefully better grammar in the comments and blogs of the native speakers, but we can make mistakes ourselves. I think that in general, the native speakers will write more closely to what you would encounter if visiting their country.
I visit people's blogs to learn what they have to share and to encourage them to keep writing and learning. I am never insulted that someone misused English. It is my native tongue, but it is not just my language. I think it now belongs to the world and you who are learning it are stepping forward to lay claim to it.
My role here, as I see it, is to:
1. help with specific questions when asked
2. encourage you to learn more
3. occasionally write on a topic that you may benefit from, or that I may enjoy writing for pleasure.
So, my thoughts are that you should enjoy communicating. You should continue reading books in English, watching movies, and listening to music. Just be aware that while here you will get a mixture of correct and incorrect English and just not model all your English usage on the style of other learners. I think the practice is important and so is the friendship.
Yes, you said it.
Did you read the comments by Josef, Tara, Bill the English teacher and other native speakers? I love all the comments - by native speakers or non-native speakers.
Very happy to see your comment. Yes, you are right. We read, write, and learn. We all make mistakes (spelling, grammar or typing), but on the other hand we learn from them. With more practice, we can spot our mistakes more easily. English may seem easy to learn, but it's tricky/difficult, actually. It's takes pain and effort to learn it. 'No pain, no gain.'
Just as you said, this blog was a very popular one - many members joined in. I hope you read all of the interesting comments by other members. Thanks again for your comment, selma!
Your blog makes great claim but I liked it. You'd chosen a great topic which had been very popular. Everybody had written down in every details looking from wide perspectives.
In my opinion, I agree with all of saying including yours naturally and briefly I can say that; EC's became a good reason to me while going on my learning way. Being here is to create an aim then study to this aim so serves to obtain self-confidence. (that's the most important key to learn as to me) For example; I don't care about the mistakes in here, I just take an inspirations and study to grammar rules from my book or EC's Lessons etc.
Thank you very much for coming this subject which is under debate,
Selma,
Ps; Please notify me my mistakes or ignore it :))
Great to see your comments.
Muhammad, you need some native speakers to be your 'guest-speaker' and ideas on activities for your weekly meeting, don't you? Chances are lots of native speakers are willing to join and give you the ideas you need. Good luck!
Ruzan, you can say that again. Yes, we can learn and improve our English without any native speakers being around. But I'd say it's desirable to get help from native speakers when we have any problems with the studing. And sure enough, there are different motivations for native speakers to be here. I personally appreciate all they've done so far here.
Hope to see more comments from you.
Have a nice day,
Expector
Myth 1. You can learn proper English, or any other language, solely by talking to natives.
In order to be able to communicate with natives or people from other countries in English, you have to have prior foundation in that language. That foundation is built by reading literature in English, writing in English, listening to English songs or TV programs, and, if possible, thinking in English. The reason why foreign speakers should have good English background, is because there are a lot of native and non-native speakers that make obvious mistakes in English. Hence, I would conclude it doesn't matter who you are talking to,whether it's a native speaker or not, you need to know the language to the extend where you can see other people's mistakes, and that level can be achieved by every day work, unavoidable mistakes and desire to reach your goal, which is to be able to communicate in English freely.
Myth 2. The only reason that native speakers visit non-native speakers blog is beacuse they feel bad for them.
In my experience, a lot of Americans visit blogs similar to MyEC, is because they want to get exposure to different cultures. MyEC purpose is not only to improve Engllish learners' skills, but to see how diverse and interesting can veiw points be. Also, a lot of native speaker volunteers, have been on the road of trying to master another language and know how hard it can be without native speaker's input.
Learning is a long journey, and you have to understand what you want to get out of that trip. Once you know, the only question that is left is HOW.And that's the question that every individual should answer for themselves, since there is no right or wrong answers.
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