Learning a language from a native speaker: advantages and disadvantages
Many language schools today offer courses with a native speaker. These are often presented in various forms, such as private lessons conducted via Skype, or group lessons organized as a conversation club. These lessons seem very appealing, as they promise to improve students’ comprehension and speaking skills and to help delve deeper into the intricacies of language usage. However, courses with a native speaker may not be as effective as they seem. What defines a native speaker? What level of language proficiency is sufficient for students to feel comfortable at a lesson with a native speaker? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a practice?
Defining a native speaker
When talking about native speakers, it is important to define this term. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a native speaker is “a person who learned to speak the language of the place where he or she born as a child rather than learning it as a foreign language.” Native speakers are able to innately understand the language, speak it fluently and without an accent, and make out distorted and background speech. They think, communicate, read, and write using their mother tongue throughout their entire life. If a person was born into a multilingual family or put into an environment that uses several languages, they may have two or more native languages. Any language that is mastered later with additional effort is classified as a second language. An immigrant that moved to another country after early childhood cannot be defined as a native speaker as they can only strive to reach this level of language proficiency.
When choosing a course, it is important to find a tutor with a degree in education. Even the most literate native speaker will not be able to explain grammar rules as well as an experienced teacher. A native speaker that does not have a degree in education may help boost your comprehension abilities and break the language barrier, but they might not teach you proper grammar.
Advantages of courses with a native speaker
- Learning a modern language. A native speaker will teach a language that is actually spoken in their homeland. This is essential for those who are planning to travel or move abroad. Lessons with a native speaker will be a sort of immersion that will help you learn more about pronunciation, idioms, abbreviations etc.
- Overcoming the language barrier. If a native speaking teacher does not speak your language, this can be both an advantage and a difficulty. However, you will have to talk to them anyway and this is a big challenge, as the temptation to make yourself understood in your mother tongue will be met with complete incomprehension. You will have to do your best and recollect all the vocabulary you have ever learned. At the same time, during the process of communication, the teacher will correct the pronunciation and help you form phrases and sentences correctly.
- Understanding spoken language. Classes with a native speaker will help get used to spontaneous foreign speech. The teacher can explain the lesson material in simple words, but communication with the students is not rehearsed, which means that it can take them by surprise and make them listen. Moreover, a teacher may speak in a dialect: this will help you understand not only the standard language, but also learn more about its varieties.
- Getting familiar with the culture. A foreign teacher is a representative of a culture different from that in which the students live. They can share information on traditions, holidays, habits of their compatriots, and their opinions on certain events. This insight into the culture where the language is spoken will help you understand it and its peculiarities better.
Disadvantages of courses with a native speaker
- Difficulties in explaining the grammar. The grammatical rules of foreign languages (e.g. German) are difficult to understand even in your mother tongue. Students do not always catch what their teacher is talking about, because the structure of a language can be completely different from their mother tongue. Due to the difference between the languages, a native speaking teacher may not notice when students are getting confused.
- Misunderstanding the teacher. Even a teacher with good articulation can sometimes speak too quickly, mispronounce words, or use unfamiliar vocabulary that cannot be replaced with simple words. This can be an overwhelming issue for beginner students.
- Classes being too intensive. A course given only in a foreign language requires constant concentration: once you are distracted, you can easily miss the point of the lesson. Such intensive work is not for everyone, therefore, it is worthwhile to objectively evaluate your abilities before starting a course.
A language course with a native speaker is unsuitable for beginners: first, they need to enrich their everyday vocabulary, learn how to use basic grammar and talk about everyday topics, and understand a little by ear. In some cases, it is not recommended to study a language with a native speaker before attaining an average level of language proficiency or B1 — B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). It is possible to learn a foreign language at a lower level with a native speaking teacher individually, so the teacher will be able to spend more time on explaining, but in this case it is recommended they speak the student’s native language.
Before taking a language course with a native speaker, you should find out:
- whether the teacher is a real native speaker;
- whether a native speaker is a qualified teacher;
- whether your language proficiency level is sufficient to take classes with a native speaker.
Learning a foreign language with a native speaker can be both a rewarding and a disappointing experience. The result depends on your vigilance and the objective assessment of your own abilities.
