The document discusses perspectives on native English speakers and their role in language teaching. It notes that traditionally, native English speakers were considered the ideal teachers. However, views have changed as more people become bilingual. Today, the definitions of native and non-native are obsolete. Non-native teachers are now better equipped to teach due to learning English in a classroom setting. Non-native speakers are divided into L2 users, who speak with accents and vary grammatically from native norms, and expert users, who demonstrate proficiency with idioms, tenses and complex language.

1. By Ido Stamler

2. 
 “A native speaker (NS) of a language is a person
who has acquired the language a their first language
in childhood. Native speakers are considered to
know this language intuitively, and to use it
accurately, fluently and appropriately.”
 (Scott Thornbury, An A-Z of ELT)
What is a native speaker?

3. 
 Up until the 1990’s, it was believed that the objective
of L2 learners was to achieve the level of a native
English speaker.
 Native speakers were considered to be better ESL
teachers, regardless of proficiency or experience.
 Any difference from speaking as a native speaker
was considered a failure.
Native Speakers in ESL-
The Past

4. 
 Nowadays, the definitions of native speaker vs. non-
native speaker are obsolete.
 Many people today are bilingual- speak two
languages or more proficiently.
 Non-native speakers have learned English in a
classroom, and so are more equipped to teach it to
others.
Native Speakers in ESL-
Today

5. 
L2 Users &
Expert Users
Non-Native Speaker are
divided today into:

6. 
Example of an L2 User
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Ucp_fC3II

7. 
 Anyone who know a second language and uses it in
life, regardless of level.
 Their knowledge of the language is lesser than that
of a native speaker.
 Usually speak with accents, and choose different
grammatical structures and syntax than
monolinguals.
L2 User:

8. 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVx-XsOoqUw
Example of an Expert
User:

9. 
 Proficient, high level users of a language- regardless
whether it is their first language or not.
 Use more colorful language. Insert adverbs and
idioms such as: “hold your horses”, “know the
ropes”, “mum’s the word”, etc.
 Use suitable grammatical structures, including the
perfect tenses.
Expert User:

10. 
 Scott Thornbury, An A-Z of ELT
 Vivian Cook, The Native Speaker
 Vivian Cook, Creating L2 Users
References: