Many people do not have a very good grasp of English syntax, grammar, spelling, word formation etc. Many can only converse in txt with no punctuation at all. Are they doing a foreigner any favours by offering to teach them English? Discuss
2006-11-03 02:33:23 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Most of you have missed the point. "Is it morally acceptable to assist a foreigner" is what I asked.
2006-11-04 11:19:33 · update #1
I think it is very hard to teach english unless you're a teacher. It is not enough to be able to speak it. Foreigners want to know all the grammar and the reasons for it. Not to underestimate you, but I think you would find it a very hard task and the learner wouldn't find it so easy either.
2006-11-03 02:44:29 · answer #1 · answered by cherub 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking about native speakers?
Native speakers have an incredible grasp of English syntax, morphology, etc. Any native speaker would provide an excellent model for a non-native speaker. However, an untrained native speaker will not be able to answer questions about why or how the grammar works. So they won't necessarily be a good grammar teacher, but would be an excellent conversation partner.
2006-11-04 00:04:21 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. This has its pros and cons. Since language has two levels (grammar, well spoken and written language and colloquial, street language) it could be advisable -somehow- to have a certain contact with the way real people (not the books, not people with a solid academic formation) speak. It would help significantly to "survive" in the street.
Ideally, the learning process should include both levels...
2006-11-03 10:47:04 · answer #3 · answered by Smurfette 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That would depend on what they were going to teach. If they are teaching someone with beginner level English how to tell the time or order a meal in a restaurant, I see no problem, moral or otherwise. However, if they are teaching someone about non-defining relative clauses for example, they might run into some problems.
2006-11-03 10:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by Katya-Zelen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well maybe the foreigner will learn how to speak English and if they are interested they can learn the finer points later. Seems to me that a lot of foreigners possibly write better English than many of us here1
2006-11-03 10:43:07 · answer #5 · answered by Caroline 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not - but unfortunately many Americans teach what they claim to be English!!!!
However, although it is a matter of great sadness to me, I am compelled to concede that many natives of this 'green and pleasant land' are also woefully lacking in their grasp of many of the technical aspects of the language.
2006-11-03 13:38:05 · answer #6 · answered by aarcue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure the person learning the language will appreciate whatever help they can get. They're learning the language so they can communicate on an every day basis. Not so they can write a book!
2006-11-03 10:49:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear friend.
I'm brazilian and try learn English without teacher...
It's very difficult for me understand somethings, but I love Australia and stimulate me in know yours costumes and kind of life - but I need know English and increase my vocabulary to hit it.
2006-11-03 10:49:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you honestly think most want to learn English ? Don`t think so.
Ask them a poignant question,reply me no English
even when they speak the host language
2006-11-03 10:46:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've said it before: It's unfair to ask a foreigner to learn a second language when a good portion of the US population hasn't even learned their first language correctly.
2006-11-03 10:41:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋