By Nathan Jones, General English Teacher at Explore English
Having English as a second language is incredibly valuable, especially as an English teacher working and teaching away from home soil. From my position, having only spoken Welsh at home until the age of four years of age; then growing up in a world where English was the predominant language equips a teacher for different challenges.
As Welsh is closely linked to its Celtic language neighbours, in particular French and Brittonic; the complexities of English seem to “stand out” more, given that these languages have different alphabets altogether in comparison. For instance, take the pronunciation of words which I see can completely baffle and confuse students learning English for the first time.
“Through”, “trough”, though” and “throw” are prime candidates for the award of making students pull the funniest faces when learning English grammar! I am sure that all English teachers preparing lessons for elementary or intermediate-level students will prepare themselves, as well as the resources – for the questions facing them during subject lessons like these.
An uneven language
Factors such as these are helped by knowing that English is an uneven language. It has rules, but not consistent rules. It has intonation, but those are like waves found on different sands. It has its correct, formal states of Queen’s English, or Received Pronunciation; while all over the world there are so many variants of slang associated with English. Sometimes even the same languages bear little resemblance to themselves when spoken in alternative parts of the planet.
This can highlight the beauty of the English language and how it can be so powerful. As an English teacher meeting different nationalities daily, it teaches us about other languages and cultures, with so many explanations of why language is important and how it has evolved over time.
Multiculturalism
Meeting East Asian students who find difficulty in pronouncing consonants at the ends of words in English – adds direct targets for teachers, in how to overcome word conflicts with future students and can thus become enjoyable. Or first language Spanish students pronouncing ‘x’, ‘v’ and other letters differently teaches us about Spanish while educating others who want to learn English.
So, as an English Teacher who has been educating on different continents, there can never be a lack of questions, as to why grammar is perplexing or spelling is not identical at times. But, as the inimitable Inspector Clouseau, once said; “It’s all part of life’s rich pageant.”