Do you want to speak English like a native? (with Heather Hansen)

[@neauphilippe4844]

I am an English teacher in France . I lived in Kenya for two years and was lucky to have American and British friends . As my friends say , I have a mid-Atlantic accent. My students like my accent . They were disappointed when I told them that I was not a native speaker.

[@WellingtonGomes-tl3nr]

Wow! What a powerful interview! For more materials like this, I love your ideas about teaching Christian, congrats! We need to empower ourselves to be confident English communicators. The teaching of English is saturated with unhelpful approaches, I do not say it because I believe teachers don't care about their students but as it was well explained by Heather Hansen their focusing on the wrong things. Speak clearly and have good communication skills and most importantly be a good individual are by far more valuable than any idioms you may learn. These words spoke to my heart too.

[@benl9047]

More people speak English as a second language than as a native language, so people learning English will be using it with people from any country in the world and the idea that someone from China and someone from Brazil should talk to each other in posh British accents is absurd. They need to be understandable, obviously, and that's enough. It actually upsets me a bit when students say something like "sorry for my horrible Chinese accent". It's like, dude, you're from China, of course you sound Chinese! I speak Chinese with an English accent too because I'm from England but I've never apologised for that. As for grammar, it's fine to aim high and want to speak to an advanced level eventually, but that takes about 10+ years of consistent dedicated effort. Maybe you want to speak to people sooner than that, so yeah maybe you'll make some mistakes. You know what - life is good without the third person 's'. "My dad really like cake", that's perfectly understandable, don't be afraid to speak because of mistakes like that. Again, you can aim to eliminate such mistakes eventually, but that takes time so just have fun learning the language, relax and enjoy the process, don't let perfectionism stress you out.

[@ronsan1561]

Thanks, Ben! I really needed to hear that!

[@kluck87]

Yes, Ben! Sometimes I feel teachers who feel this way are in the minority. Before I can teach my students anything, I need them to feel confident. I always tell them not to worry about making mistakes and above all not to apologise for their "bad" English (I hate that phrase!). I really hope that things happening in society now will be a catalyst for change in the TEFL industry.

[@elielnj]

I agree!

[@ushadigiacomo7213]

Perfect!

[@grasielamyenglishschool7430]

Hi Christian! What an amazing interview. I was born and raised in Brazil before moving to the US at the age of 21. I learned English on my own and after a couple years I decided to take a course to become an interpreter. I worked as an interpreter and translator for 10 years in Boston. I worked really hard on my accent, because I hated when people would go, huh? Anyway, I moved to Italy 3 years ago and started teaching English to Italians. I was hired due to my ‘native status’ and I was very proud of myself for that. Last week while teaching, a student asked me where I was from originally. I hesitated and had this fear that if I said that I was from Brazil that I would lose my credibility as a native teacher. I feel the same way about the industry and I try to teach my students that accents make who they are and that the important thing is to be understood, because at the end of the day they’re most likely going to interact with a non- native speaker and with people that are in the same situation as them. I would love to hear from you and help anyway I can. Thank you so much. I’m a big fan. Grasiela

[@Baban1974]

Here in Spain, especially in Seville, all the academies want "native teachers", no matter how much English you know, no matter how good you are. If you were born in Spain, they won't hire you. So, like it or not, you are both privileged people. Anyway well done, I love your videos.

[@mywwwow]

A nice story from my life that fits this topic: After my family died, I sold a lot of things. I remember one day at the flea market, where a lot of Americans go. A tall, proud woman who had already bought from me two or three times once complimented me: "You speak English very well!" I, as a model from the past, answered "Yes, but I'm still missing a lot of words and grammar." Then she said loudly and with her index finger raised, "Stop - wrong answer"! A little startled, I asked "What is the right answer?" She said, "Thank you!" 😊 We should be happy about being able to talk to each other - the greatest gift of our lives. ❣️ We should deal with all honest compliments in exactly the same way and simply say "Thank you". 😊🌷🍀

[@jakal1591]

A very valid point she made. Native speakers must avoid using idioms and phrases in an international setting, for a simple reason, you are the one who can't speak any other language and others are speaking your language to include you.

[@مجدالعرب-ر3ب]

Thumps up to English for international communication and down to English for specific ethnic communities. You did great dear Prof and Kudus to your honorable guest.

[@alinecardoso9668]

I'll spend 5 years of my life studying only grammar, and I can't have a conversation, now I'm studying the four scores: listening, reading, writing and talking.

[@muhriqimran9127]

I was in this condition

[@maernesto]

You don't have to study, you have to practice a lot, first listening a lot, at least 3 hours daily, speaking, reading and writing daily.

[@juelise]

Me too. I'm in the same way now.

[@claudiosouza1757]

The five years that you study grammar will serve as a basis for you to get where you are today. Do not underestimate this.

[@claudiosouza1757]

@@juelise where do you live?

[@lifeandlearn.]

The important thing is that we understand each others

[@tpb3859]

Each day, I love you more and more for being this teacher and specially this person!!! What a big and important service to our students!!! 👏👏 thank you a lot

[@mauroribeiroABC]

I see that what makes learn whatever language hard is the fear to talk, the fear to be wrong or to hear someone saying that we're not right

[@gabrielinacio6331]

Wow, she's a nice, intelligent, and good person. God bless her, actually both!

[@taino20]

I teach English and very often people say to me that they want to learn the real English, and speak with a British accent. I say to them, Which British accent? You do know that there is more than one. I agree 100% with Heather.

[@mywwwow]

Thanks again - I could watch and hear you for hours. 😊

[@magdalenc.4024]

Thank you very much for this fantastic conversation with Heather. It's not easy to be a non native speaker and you keep hearing: where are you from? your accent? etc. There are moments when you feel fed up with that. Anyway, I keep learing English because I believe that one day I 'll be good at it ☺ xx

[@anEyePhil]

I grew up in Australia, speaking Australian English. I am currently trying to learn to speak and read Russian. Don't undermine yourself, you will develop to speak your own personal kind of English. Accents and grammar are dynamic anyway. The only thing that matters is that you can communicate with others in a common language. English has its strange exceptions, just like other languages.

[@pedroguerreiro7906]

Hi, just became a subscriber yesterday. Can I just say; THANKS VERY MUCH INDEED, for the wonderful content of this video.

[@mike_kantaria]

The language that someone speaks - it is an intellectual face of the person!

[@taino20]

Thank you, Christian for this fantastic interview. I agree with Heather and with you 100%.

[@Mudda33]

Christian, could you believe that, you're the best teacher, that I've ever seen, watch, and listen to...I have to thank you for your efforts. I love to listen to your accent, one day I hope I can speak like you,, I wish you have to have more linguistic experts here..... A zillion of Thanks, Christ

[@silvanamarceca170]

It's a great lesson of history this interview... it's about power and status quo... feeling inferior put your brain in a stuck position....if you feel inferior it's like stopping your brain to keep learning and improving.... It's a state of mind...

[@silvanamarceca170]

Thank you Chris and Heather...

[@fabienvivi1670]

I discovered your channel one week ago and I'm really surprise because I like to watch your videos .I can't all understand so far because I'm learning English for 4month but I be able to undestand a little and .I'm disappointed to haven't discovered your videos earlier ?you are truly helpful for me thanks .

[@erzsebetbekes7073]

This is why I said I tend to cry over most of your pieces...

[@petiteprincess90]

Great interview with an important message! Thanks !

[@mariam5605]

Very educational and interesting video, as a English speaker as second language and as a Spanish teacher myself as second/third language is very useful. I agree about the "invisible discrimination" about this topic. The terms "bad" and "good" always has been very dangerous, not neutral at all, in this context too. We should be aware to label "bad English speaker" to someone. Thanks

[@heidarhamidvand7581]

Hello teacher. Just remember that because you're a native English speaker, you can understand some people who are speaking in not good pronunciation. For someone like me who is talking English as a Second Language, it would be difficult.

[@heatherhansen]

That seems logical, but you actually have some special super powers as a non-native speaker! 💪💪 Non-native speakers are usually more accepting of a wider range of sounds and hear many more varieties of English than native speakers. Non-native speakers usually understand each other more easily than a native speaker would. Interesting, isn’t it? When we moved to Singapore, my husband adapted to the language much faster than I did!

[@heidarhamidvand7581]

Heather Hansen Thank you. You right.

[@veekay6238]

@@heatherhansen Actually I think this is not true. I have my friend's husband who I don't understand after 4 years of knowing him. We meet regurarly but still it is very much of a struggle for me to understand him. There are accents that are not clearly understandable for everyone, like Indian or French. Also, a language learner can get exhausted more easily even after just listening to different people's accents especially if that differs from the accent they learnt English in the school. I can sometimes totally understand English people not being able to understand foreigners as there are accents just not clear enough - this applies to grammar mistakes as well when one's point of view cannot get across clearly. Interestingly we have the same thing in Hungary, a very few people study it as a second language and when somebody speaks it in a strange accent to our ears, we can't even guess a word not alone attach a meaning to it (yes there are different levels to this of course). Going back to English, I think it is nice to have a confidence to start speaking (and it is also fine making mistakes but one should learn from those mistakes) but it is not enough if someone would like to say that I am good at it. I also think if we don't bother learning the right grammar then English as a language could loose it's identity. Also, if someone reached a position of a CEO, clearly they could try harder mastering their English skills, that wouldn't hurt their business...

[@kostakosta5352]

Heather your voice is so beautiful, calm and confident

[@marias.p.1297]

This is so eye-opening to watch... I went through university training and we've been taught that we have to speak RP and I had this idea in my head that RP is spoken by such a tiny percentage of the population...now I know I was right.

[@anEyePhil]

Welcome to the Australian way. We reject all historic class distinction

[@slava.meseka]

Christian I've found your channel recently and I just loved it so much! Your approach is so deep and interesting for me as for non-native speaker. That's just so great to listen! Thank you!

[@rosilenesilvadeoliveira1503]

Thank you Chris for this video. It helps me to encourage my students to keep studying English but not as a burden, but as a pleased thing.

[@AngryWorld.]

Are you a teacher?

[@rosilenesilvadeoliveira1503]

@@AngryWorld. yes, I am.

[@AngryWorld.]

What do you teach? I mean which subject

[@rosilenesilvadeoliveira1503]

@@AngryWorld. I teach English, but I majored in bilingual executive Assistant. I love the English language! For me it's the most beautiful language after my mother tongue, Portuguese! Rsrsrs

[@user-du8sp5to2z]

This is absolutely amazing, this means a lot to all of us who every day put this passion and love in learning English as a second language, thank you! (Edited: I don't mean that I wanna learn in a wrong way, what I really mean is this message is like a relief, I feel less pressure, and knowing that out there are Teachers who have this in mind and who cares about it, this just encourage me to keep learning)

[@lewessays]

yeah, totally agree!!

[@muhammedcoskun1464]

Thank you very much for your open mind. Actually this video changed many things in my mindset as a foreign English speaker. So thanks a lot

[@cleytoncgp9354]

I just want to be able to understand people and communicate my ideas clearly wherever the subject. In my opinion FOCUS ON COMMUNICATION is the key. I'm not worried to sound my english like an specific place of the world at all. Great video. Thank you both Christian and Heather Hansen. I'm Cleyton, From Brazil.

[@Luizatango]

Hello Christian! I have “bumped” into you by accident, if it’s true that they actually exist. I was watching videos about the coronavirus and your video appeared in my suggested videos. When I watched it I had no idea you were an English teacher and after I watched the video where you say you had the virus all other videos started popping as suggested videos and I surprisingly found out you what you do. I’m also an English teacher and your videos have been absolutely inspirational to my teaching; so has this interview with Heather Hanson. I am Brazilian, live in Argentina and started teaching English by accident… again, if we believe they really exist. I have spoken English most of my life and also had the audacity as a Brazilian to teach tango dancing in English for several years in many different countries. I finally decided to settle down and stop travelling and I thought I could teach Portuguese, since many years earlier I had taught Portuguese to foreigners in Brazil. I don’t have teacher training but I have to say I have a natural talent for breaking down, reorganizing information and I’m a curious person who also happens to love languages. There was a language school around the corner of where I lived and they just happened to be desperately needing English teachers and not Portuguese. They hired me right away to teach English and I accepted the challenge. It has been already an amazing five-year journey and a never-ending source of learning. I know this comment might be too long but I just wanted to give you some context. I love the idea that communication is the ultimate goal of language. It’s a tool, not an end in itself. My question is: what are the limits for correction? I’m not speaking about accent here, but communication. For example: the “S” in present simple 3rd person singular appears to be something sooooo difficult to incorporate. Do you think it might be because it’s associated with plurals for nouns? What is your strategy for that? Because, to be honest it doesn’t obstruct communication, understanding, but at the same time I find it very difficult to let go of insisting on this correction. I believe if you correct with grace and kindness students don’t feel uncomfortable, but nonetheless I see “advanced” students that still can’t use present simple “correctly”. Do you have any advice or comments about this? Should I let go and let their listening ability eventually assimilate (or not) the “correct” form? And again, thank you for your motivation, inspiration and especially your sense of humor!

[@nimaomar1625]

I wish if I can draft only one paragraph or 2000 words which is perfectly written like this 😍.

[@StefanoCanepa1970]

I love Heather's idea about idioms, a good point even because many time they do not make sense: pigs fly in English donkeys do in Italian and we can go on...

[@FernandoOliveira-oo2mv]

You're such an incredible teacher! I really like spending time listening to your passionate and funny lessons! This interview with Heather Hansen was so clear and fantastic and your questions were so opportune. Everything she said is so useful and productive. This interview has raised many important issues/problems like she said, "What we really need to learn is to understand accent recognition instead of accent reduction." ... I´ll have to listen to this video again and again to learn more about this controversial issue. Thank you.

[@yuryyurych]

I think the language is created by great writers because they present the new high ideas for people from all the places of the world. So we need more great writers from different countries writing in English. They will create the global English which is going to be understandable in every part of our planet.

[@HOUGFOUCH]

Thank you christian for what you do. Thank you for breaking the dogm of the language how tel us that we have to be perfect before trying to speak any languages and there for we never do it because without speaking badly and wrongly we'll never mastering a second language. All what we need is to be proud of our accent and our identity. And drop trying to lose it .

[@peiwenpan7329]

It is a very encouraging video. I was very focusing on having native accents but not trying to speak confidently . Thank you

[@markdonovan1540]

Thank you to both of you for creating this video which highlights so clearly an important aspect of language learning. I particularly agree with the point that it's native speakers that need to be more mindful of the difficulties second language speakers might have with understanding accent. Native speakers, like me, can reduce their accent with a bit of care and effort, without losing identity or natural sound. Just because we may be lucky to speak the lingua franca language used in international business or other situations, doesn't mean we should take for granted that the second language English speaker will find our accent or vocabulary easy to understand. Excessive use of idiomatic expressions can create confusion in the mind of the second language speaker, so why use them? This was a great point about idioms, although all languages have them, so I think we still might need to acknowledge them. For more advanced learners, who might have a need to understand more about the culture as well as the language; then idioms, humour, history, etc. all become part of what can make their language learning experience more interesting and useful. Rather than teach them only if students insist, but then never use them with the teacher, I don't think that this is always going to suit those students' needs. In the context of this interview, and the international business communication style of English, then I would agree that idioms and idiomatic expressions are best to be avoided. However, in more social situations such as travelling, making friends, learning more about culture and people; then in these situations some knowledge of COMMONLY USED idioms and idiomatic expressions will be useful to the students. In which case, practising their correct use with the teacher will help them in two ways. Firstly, they will understand these expressions when they hear them, and secondly, they will have FUN with the language when using it themselves. It's not all about just communicating to close a deal or explain processes and policies. I would argue that even in business communication at an operational level between countries there will always be some level of idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs that are used as part of the communication. I know this from mainly teaching to in-company clients here in Madrid where I live, who often ask me about phrases they hear in international meetings or on videoconferencing calls. As the language evolves more, perhaps a "new standard" of international lingua franca English might evolve separately. It would be interesting to hear people's views on this. However, this could then create another form of elitist language for the rich and powerful to further extend their influence. People will always find a way to communicate what they want if they really have a need to do so, they often do this in very interesting ways that can surprise the the language teacher who is more accustomed to a formal standardised approach to teaching languages. This is a huge topic in English language teaching and learning. I'll look forward to further debate, ideas and sharing of opinions, knowledge and experiences.

[@gracesanmar2]

Congratulations for this interview, Christian! I feel identified when Heather mentioned that the non-native speakers "must" understand the native ones, sometimes there are people who really don't matter if they really can give information clearly enough to reach the goal: a perfect communication whatever the scenario is.

[@anthonyzamoracastro8467]

Whoa! Super excellent explanation!

[@RezeHB]

Great content, for me it’s more important how clearly one’s speaking is , so we all can understand them.

[@_merits_2724]

Really it was a useful conversation thanks both of you 🇮🇶 #Iraqi#follower

[@oleksiifrolov4074]

i've been watching this interview without subtitles, but 40 minutes passed out like i've watched an interesting lecture about history of Ukraine (because it's so close to me) and it's amazing. I didn't get something words and it's okay and thanking for your videos i'll be better and better. Hope you understand what i'm wrote)

[@anEyePhil]

Я понимаю Олексий

[@RhenanMartinsRepoem]

🎉🎉🎉 for more interview.

[@numia4553]

Hello, Mr. Christian, I love ❤️ your videos very much. I'm from Morocco. Many individuals from my country can't understand what you say because they still beginners. I would like to translate your ideas into my language and explain to them what language learning is about. You do not share ideas and knowledge only you share love, feelings, emotions, kindness, and that what teaching is about. Thank you.

[@paulhogan2930]

Spot on.

[@anatovar119]

I am glad to hear that, it was very important to me

[@silavlis233]

I totally get what the topic means and how relevant it is to raise awareness to minimize discrimination against non-native accents.But, I´m wondering if over time, the language can loose its beautiful structure and complexity when we take things to some extreme extent all over the world. It´s great and absolutely valid to explore all kinds of speaking without being afraid about judgments, but also it´s wonderful to keep the language structure. My point is people are lazy by nature and they can adhere to the 'lazy' language and bury over the centuries the complex language that was developed up to now. This would be a shame.

[@domaeva]

Thank you for your work!!! I watch and learn

[@anEyePhil]

My experience as a standard Australian English speaker, trying to learn Russian, tells me that it would be great if you had subtitles on screen as you speak, especially for new students.

[@alejandram.l.acosta9774]

The option of subtitles is available

[@zeyentertainment6052]

Thank you so much Christian for this lesson you know I was really confused when I started to learn English I didn't know which one i have to follow British English or American English or other cuz on KZbin I didn't find a English normal(without accent) so I was lost about to say for example take a shower or have a shower... I wanted just to be able to speak English but instead I was lost in all those videos about english idioms an slang and really make me feeling sad and stupid I just want to ask all those teacher on KZbin to make us English simple and easier because we are tired we just want to comunicate perfectly we don't need accents or idioms or slang please don't make it hard.

[@lelatsiklauri9382]

She's a brilliant. Absolutely ❤

[@valeliasjr]

Thank you So Much for this video!!!!!!

[@jean-louismorgenthaler4725]

When I say I would like to speak like an English native speaker, I don't really focus on the result. I focus much more on the process. In other words, I mean I would like to feel like I feel when I speak in my mother tongue (in my case, French). I don't mean I want to parrot anyone. I just want to express myself as naturally, as fluently as possible and I want to be understood, not boring. I want to feel as self-confident as possible and not to get tired after a short while. I don't want to sound like a native English speaker sounds, I want to speak like they speak. It's not the same thing. Such a goal isn't unreachable, is it? It surely requires time and commitment but teachers like you really help. Yes, you do and I THANK YOU.

[@jean-louismorgenthaler4725]

@Verena Schauer I do agree. Indeed, practice is needed without interruption.. To some extent, you never "know" a language. Either you can think, speak, write using it or you can't.

[@RaynerGS]

I guess the way is the balance between book (formal) and streets (informal), and always to avoid prejudice.

[@lamo1239]

Do u speak or u r a student.

[@carlosrodrigues0106]

Thanks very much for this marvelous interview.

[@michaelskipp1925]

Great topic! A real eye opener. What should we, teachers, focus on then?

[@elissonsilvasantos9716]

A very fruitful talk

[@eu46]

I just want to thank you. It's been very clarifying and encouraging at the same time

[@angy371]

Do you know Bob Marley's beautiful "Redemption song"? The verses of this song have a different construction than the ones that we usually hear. Instead of saying "They rob me, he says "They rob I". This happens because of Bob Marley's origin: he comes from Jamaica. In this song you'll hear many times the omission of the "h" sound, for example "But my (h)and was made strong" and "Cause all I ever (h)ave. Despite this ...or maybe that's why it's a wonderful song.

[@malinkywoos]

Listening to this empowers a vision of shared humanity. I want to hear your voice. Our capacity to connect is primary. There are standards we can measure ourselves against, and we are free to set our goals, but let's be clear and honest with one another. If baby steps are changing hearts and minds...then there's one here in this English teacher.

[@yesican8196]

Thank you sir for the amazing topics which always beneficial a great deal.

[@sofiasobelska984]

That’s an excellent conversation about accent! If you have an accent that means you know another language or languages and maybe I have more skills than you!

[@anEyePhil]

Это правда, Зофия

[@vidabella866]

Thank you 😊❤️

[@АлексейРумянцев-с1ж]

Thank you both for speaking up the fair view on using and teaching English language. I am Russian and English has become a habit for me from middle school. And I need to confine I teach English while these hard times with the Global unemployment scenario going on as the way to survive. I feel lucky to be at the front edge of the changes to the ETI thanks to such experienced teachers like you! I am a fan of Lucy channel and I can confirm the approach of teaching English is changing right away. I am staying tuned!

[@nickyalexander8698]

Great interview., eye- opener

[@eltcontents]

This whole conversation about accent reduction, bad English, and all is indeed a complex issue. My thoughts can't be summed up in a single comment, I know. However, I would like to mention some points: About grammar part: Non-native speakers have been told that grammar matters a lot when it comes to building English language skills. And, after living with this thought continuously, we seriously start believing it all the way; and, after studying so much grammar, subconsciously, we take pride in judging people's English grammar skills. About accent part: The wrong obsession of having a native-like accent is so deep that it IS a kind of language-learning pandemic, according to me. Non-native speakers of English are made to feel highly inferior because of this accent prejudice. And it's so sickening. Bad English: Yes, understanding and communicating matter in the first place -- everything else has to be secondary. But, being a Curriculum Developer (ESL), can I afford to use casual grammar in my grammar materials? I am afraid I can't. And, for the accent part, we don't need to lose our accent! We need to study or know about the pronunciation aspects (IPA, word stress, sentence stress, and so on) to make ourselves better understood.... P.S.: The prevalent prejudice, which is discussed in the video, is so deep that it has rubbed off on non-native English speakers.... We non-native speakers are also responsible for this long-held prejudice in one way or the other.

[@vanessappp5672]

Completely wonderful. Your work and your power is for to change and make this world better and more aware. You are making a legacy, C. God bless you and your family. Thank you, sincerely, thank you. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@fitinenglisch6530]

This is a really interesting topic and hugely important for us as language teachers. It would also be great to see you have a conversation with someone with an opposing opinion on this matter.

[@anokhaaoka2954]

I love it !!!

[@AGnedotnotdead]

Some grammar mistakes might lead to misunderstanding. There`s no language without grammar. To say "I don`t learn grammar" is the same as to say "I don`t learn vocabulary". Those two are instruments for developing our listening, reading, speaking and writing.

[@readitsnice2544]

Good point, well said.

[@charlesn4242]

I think this is a misconception of teachers and learners that place less emphasis on grammar. Grammar is important and valuable. It opens up more doors to the language and instils confidence in the same way work on pronunciation does. But it is often not taught well and often over-taught. Learners are left with the impression that grammar is central to conveying meaning, when it just isn't the case. It might disrupt meaning, but we are generally pretty good at editing what we hear, rearranging and filling in the blank where necessary to get what someone is saying or writing. Sure, good grammar means less work for the listener or reader, but it is rarely the right/wrong dichotomy that it's often made out to be. If most students are to come to the realistic conclusion that speaking and writing without mistakes is extremely difficult and an unnecessary goal for most, having such attitudes about grammar (and pronunciation and spelling, for that matter) are counterproductive.

[@SaludInformada]

False: there's no language without grammar. Actually grammar was invented after speaking. Kids all over the world are able to communicate effectively with their parents and relatives without knowing grammar. There are hundreds of studies refusing what you have just said.

[@veekay6238]

@@SaludInformada kids do use grammar even if they don't know the exact terms of them (which they will learn in the school later). No one is able to speak without grammar as that holds the words in a language together like a glue...

[@leslielugosi]

I have native English speaking family members but we have never talked more than say hello. They are British and can not understand me and vice versa. But others, who travelled around the world from this family, we can talk about anything. But he told me he was very surprised when once he learned how to ask for a beer in a pub in my language (Hungarian), he tried but one understood him. :) So he had to ask in English.. This colonial thing is very true. And the responsibility of native/listener too.

[@peterbutter2054]

RP exists because non-native English speakers need a standard(which is shared by others across the world) for learning English. So that build the foundation. If they do well in that accent, they can learn other accents. For me, I speak "General American" . When I talk to non-native speakers, they don't have a hard time understanding me . But, If I speak with my strong Chinese accent, I don't think ppl with untrained ears can fully understand what I say. I've heard ppl pronounced words "hotel" as "hoto" and "color" as "collar". I couldn't understand at the beginning, but I get used to that soon. So, it's necessary to learn PR or General American. Once they have build some foundation, they can go to the next level-- training to understand other accents.

[@bournejason66]

Great interview. I’ve seen many successful people who don’t have a perfect accent. Btw, your chair looks very comfy, what brand is that?

[@lelatsiklauri9382]

I think, to having an accent is problem only in one case-if you're ununderstandable. So, i understand native speakers too. It's little bit difficult to listen to someone who has a "hard" pronunciation. Everyone has to work on it. Good luck all of you.

[@eyvhuhgfg5331]

Very insightful and inspiring, from now on, I can stick to my Chinglish and chinaccent.

[@mikerotchburnz389]

The unwritten rule is such that if you go someplace with different language/accent then YOU make an effort to understand and be understood. It's YOUR responsibility. The effort of native speakers is welcome but isn't mandatory and should not be expected. It is close to impossible to be always ready to understand any accent. It is very possible to tune to a particular accent though.

[@charlesn4242]

The most superb, capable and inspiring teachers I've come across in my short time teaching have all been non-native speakers. The one that comes most to mind is my CELTA trainer, who was herself teaching these 'superior' native speakers how to teach their own language! What small mistakes such teachers might make in their English are overwhelmingly compensated by their passion and level of expertise. They also understand the learners and their struggles, and have approaches drawn from and informed by their own learning experiences, rather than techniques handed down by research alone. These teachers have been learning English for years and years, dedicated themselves to it as a profession, and felt the same pressure for perfection. As a result, they appear sharp and confident, and take any mistakes in their stride because deep down they know what they're talking about. There are plenty of equally capable and dedicated native teachers too, Christian and Heather being great examples, but their skills boiled down to the same factors: commitment to improvement, curiosity, and passion. Where they were born and grew up had nothing to do with it.

[@Sarasara-jp2yl]

Yves, it'sso powerful😀

[@carolbonjour6613]

Thanks for this video

[@walkersasha7722]

Great interview. Thank you!

[@readitsnice2544]

Good topic

[@Lyrik-Klinge]

My English skills are average. I don't understand Edgar Allan Poe without looking in a dictionary after each 5 words. And Oscar Wilde also, BBC also. But if I hear Christian on this channel, everything is so clear, fragment-paused spoken and I understand 80%- 90% while a drink a cup of coffee. Why? I think Christian is a good speaker and also a good teacher! Thank you, Christian.

[@ukasznowak6381]

Because they speak to be understood, not in frivolous manner.

[@lauramarin1777]

I have an american friend. I don't understand every exact word she says to me, but I listen to her the whole idea or sentence and we comunicate very well. I understand the main idea. She even says that I am good at English, so my advice is not to translate every single word you read, but read everything as a whole to catch the main idea.

[@Tony32]

Dude, those books are like 200 years old, no native speaker can read that without help. I'm sure you couldn't read a 200-year-old book in you native language.

[@Lyrik-Klinge]

@@lauramarin1777 I thank you for this tip and I think it's a good way "idea-guided" to follow a conversation. Meanwhile I sometimes do it in such a way that I treat a language as a piece of music (e.g. from Mozart) and that I only follow the sound of the language. This does not help understanding (but this is not my aim in this case), but it sensitizes you immensely to the language and takes the pressure to understand everything. (Translation help with google).

[@elhadik6851]

Awesome video as always , thank you so much for all that efforts, and thanks to your gest , it was really instructive and useful ❤️

[@caiorossi4776]

I'm Brazilian and I've been an EFL teacher in my country for over 25 years. I think that is a very complex issue. If you don't have a standard to aim at, you won't have a lingua franca that does its job. That's not true when it comes to English as an international language only, but also any language used for national communication: Standard Italian (based on the Tuscan dialect), Mandarin (Beijing and Northern China), Castellano/Spanish (The Kingdom of Castile), Portuguese (from Galicia), etc. So, if national languages - each a "lingua franca" within that nation's territory - all come from a local language gone national - and very often imposed as lingua franca top down -, why would it be different when it comes to English as an international language? Of course, it doesn't mean foreigners should be concerned about idioms or reproducing a native accent perfectly as if they were infiltrated spies, but, very often, even those teaching Spanish in the US say you can't teach a language devoid of the culture it's "natively" immersed in, so they advocate the promotion of Hispanic Latin American cultures should go along with the Spanish language classes. BTW, Spanish is only spoken in the New World due to invasions and bloodshed. Why isn't colonialism an issue when it's taught too?

[@reminraihankhan5933]

I love her brutal honesty for saying 'colonial left-overs' 'white privilege. thanks Christian for engaging in a lively discussion

[@PauloSilva-nh8og]

I Totally agree with you.

[@fermarele]

Thanks a lot Christian and to this girl too, but one thing that I notice with the majority teachers, when they explain methodes, how to engage with the language English, what is good or not for understand a languaje, what things we have to do or not, etc....is that all of them explain this extremly fast and fast, and not take care about , like in this video, which it is for people learning, who are interested in English language, it is not for Christian. I thing that there are a lot of beginers and intermediates students who would like to have unsderstood Heather Hansen, however so quickly it is impossible. Even though thanks a lot Christian, and thanks a lot H. Hansen.

[@teacherenglish2799]

You are honesty.:)

[@kostakosta5352]

We have a lot of Runglish here in the UK. The famous Compare the Meercat advert. English is my second foreign language. My homework for the rest of my life...

[@Worek16031991]

Haha That's very funny🤗 as I live in the UK and I work with people from all around the world and I found myslef in a similar position many times 😂 The other day I had to interpret from American English to Scottish english. Some simple english sentences, easy to understand daily english conversation 😂 I must say that at first I was shocked . Thought that these two native speakers were trying to make a joke but they weren't. It was for real 🤣 - all I need to say is that it makes me proud to be capable of listening to english native speakers and understanding them all and .. I wish that native speakers would start listening to foreigners more carefully, hope this video will open people's eyes😊 really enjoyed listening to this talk !

[@fernandoalba1463]

Awesome! What an intelligent and deep conversation. I really thank you both so much. ❤ + 🧠 = 🦘 ✔

[@svenkataramudu7102]

You are very nice sir

[@ndres839]

Graciosa tu anécdota en esa conferencia donde habia gente del sur de España, ellos tienen un acento diferente y algunos sonidos los pronuncian ligeramente diferentes, las CH por ejemplo

[@muhriqimran9127]

Understanding is matter not grammar. She is totally ri8 agree with her

[@dmitrypaukov6409]

"My vocabulary is thicker than yours":)))

[@diegoyuiop]

Well, for a non native speaker learning english from abroad, I think "standard English" and "RP" are the best. What accent should I pick?

[@petergorelov418]

Personally, I am absolutely charmed by the Cockney accent, so gorgeous. You might like the KZbin video "Learn the Cockney accent with Jason Statham", it's just hilarious! Also, there is such thing as Cockney Rhyming Slang -- a whole new topic for any English addict ;)

[@Sarasara-jp2yl]

Why not keeping your own accent , i think it gives you more confidence.

[@Tony32]

Standard American English is your best bet, it's widely understood thanks to Hollywood movies and tv shows.

[@veekay6238]

@@Sarasara-jp2yl because his own accent is not the "RP or standard English" he likes...

[@EnglishwithAuris]

Thanks a bunch for all your videos. I enjoy the way you approach teaching and your videos are influencing how I teach as well.

[@fredericroy]

6:00 You may want to speak a standard American because you find the language beautiful. There's no discrimination, just a matter of taste.