ESL Blogs

Native English speakers' blogs

Posted by Expector Smith on April 10, 2009
I know most of the members here are English learners. Some of them may come here from all over the world just for improving their English skills. So, here come my questions:
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!
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Comments

  • Tara Benwell February 12, 2009 15:06
    Nice job pointing out the difference between momentum and motivation! The discussion continues...I hope new members will join in.
  • Expector Smith February 12, 2009 14:01
    Hi Maria,
    Thanks for your comment! I can see your point and agree with you. Yes, English is now becoming a global language. It is everywhere. Wherever you go, chances are you'll encounter/use it in some way. This may account for why so many people from different cultures are learning it. Yes, English has changed and sure will change further in the future (if you compare modern English with the ancient one).
    But I have to say, Tara really has a point there. If we really want to communicate effectively with others , We should take the time and look up the new words in a dictionary (I recommend English-English ones) to make sure we use it properly.
    I like to read things elegant, legible, concise and idiomatic. And I'm trying to write things like that!
    Thanks again!
  • Maria Matsy Alvanto February 12, 2009 6:39
    Hi! I'm new here. I don't get any incentive in leaving my comment in here. But you see expectorsmith's blog ( I don't mind whether you are a native speaker or not) looks interesting. First, I see that you're concerned about learners who might just mind reading the blogs from the native speakers. Whatever motivates them, why don't we give them the freedom to do so? English is a very rich language being used by almost everybody in the globe. If ever they approached their English learning with "prejudice", soon they will learn from their own mistakes. And I would say that committing a mistake is a part of learning any kind of language. Second, I also see that you're concerned about your choice of words. Like when you use the word "momentum". I guess, you've come across your point. Did you mean, "What motivates him/her in coming back?' or, "What keeps her/him going or coming back?" If you mean the latter, using the word 'momentum' is more appropriate for me. You have communicated what you want to say. Right? Just keep in mind that "communication" is the very purpose of using any kind of language. Besides, English like any other language is growing anyway. What is not appropriate to use now may be more accurate to use it after 10 years, or the opposite. What is most appropriate to use at this age may lose its full meaning after sometime. Well, I've said so much. I would appreciate any counter comments. I'm also a learner of English here. I'm sure I can learn much from you all. Thanks!
  • Expector Smith February 11, 2009 23:14
    Hi everybody,
    Do you remember the sentence " So, what could be the momentum for a native speaker to come here often?" in my original blog ? Just as Tara pointed out, the word 'momentum' was not used properly. 'Incentive' or 'motivation' may be more suitable.
    1. 'momentum': the force that keeps an object moving after it has started
    2. 'incentive': something which encourages a person to do something
    3. 'motivation': enthusiasm/need/reason for doing something
    So, you could see English is so tricky a language. The subtle differences in meaning are sometimes not so obvious. You need to be careful when you use it. It may be a good idea to look up the word in an English-English dictionary to make sure you use it properly. So you see we really could learn from mistakes!
  • Lynne February 11, 2009 23:04
    so airy here... :-) :-) :-)

    I believe all of us is capable of doing more than we think we can.
  • Bill the English Teacher February 11, 2009 22:10
    Ooops. Teacher mistake. I am constantly...
  • Bill the English Teacher February 11, 2009 22:08
    Whether you are a native speaker or a non-native speaker, a teacher or a student (or both) makes no difference to me. I can constantly teaching English and learning English. Someone said that teachers can learn from students. That is so true. We teachers often say that to one another in between classes. Sometimes I teach something that is not quite accurate. I encourage my students to correct me. Sometimes they do correct me and I think a moment. Then I realize I was not speaking accurately. I tell my students I will research the truth. I do research it and even learn other new things related to the issue. And then I go back to the class and discuss what I have learned.
    And then there are the non-English things I learn from my students. I learn about their cultures, their religions, their politics, the beauty of their countries and their daily challenges as immigrants in the USA. I also learn about motivation, kindness, hard work, universal humor, respect and toleration from them. People say, you are so good to do all your teaching for no reward - no money. I tell them that my reward is the friendship I have with all my students and what they teach me in return. Am I an idealist? Maybe - but in truth I receive much in what I do. I am a better person for having come into contact with each and every student.
  • Josef Essberger February 11, 2009 15:19
    Or maybe I would use it as an exercise to look for mistakes and test myself.
  • Expector Smith February 11, 2009 14:41
    Incidentally, here comes my another question: Will you really want to read my blog if I'm not a native speaker?! Maybe you're worried to read my mistakes!!! Waiting for your viewpoint!
  • Tara Benwell February 11, 2009 14:39
    "Incentive" is a perfect word to substitute here! Great use of momentum in your comment. Yes, we can learn from mistakes. This was my original point...many comments ago. :)Great discussion.
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