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Thread: Native English-Speakers ??

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[quote=APAULT                  ,29014]It seems tome we have some confusion here.  Dreamcatcher does not say where he/she is from, but I guess Singapore as he says that they learn it before they begin to walk and Pinetree also talked about this.But what about China?  In my experience, (just one academic year, I know), I am sure Chian still benefits from having what has so far been called 'native speakers'.  The real issue is the terminology: Pinetree mentioned 'policies'.  In China everything is policies and rules driven, rather than merit driven.  The schools need English teachers who can provide clear guidance in good oral pronunciion (not 'proNOUNciation' as American speakers usually say).  I have many students who have never been corrected on some basic points: clear distinguishable vowels, correct consonants such as 'v', 'w', and 'th', and on stress.  Incorrect stress makes English very hard to follow.    Back to my original point - I have heard so-called native English speakers on CCTV9 who are incomprehensible to me - I am of British / Australian background but I need subtitles to understand some of the Americans!  China needs to decide some speech standards and then select teachers and public presenters based on their ability to stay close to those standards, regardless of thier nationality.  Then it doesn't matter where you come from (except China, becuase you still won't get the foreign salary scale - but that's another issue!), and it may be that if American English (an oxymoron if ever there was one) is to become the standard, I will no longer have a job here![/quote]

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