Speaking up! Adult ESL students' perceptions of native and non-native English speaking teachers.

Research to date on the native versus non-native English speaker teacher (NEST versus non-NEST) debate has primarily focused on teacher self-perception and performance. A neglected, but essential, viewpoint on this issue comes from English as a second language (ESL) students themselves. This study investigated preferences of adults, specifically immigrant and refugee learners, for NESTs or non-NESTs. A 34-item, 5-point Likert attitudinal survey was given to 102 students (52 immigrants, 50 refugees) enrolled in ESL programs in a large metropolitan area in Texas . After responding to the survey, 32 students volunteered for group interviews to further explain their preferences. Results indicated that adult ESL students have a general preference for NESTs over non-NESTs, but have stronger preferences for NESTs in teaching specific skill areas such as pronunciation and writing. There was not a significant difference between immigrants' and refugees' general preferences for NESTs over non-NESTs based on immigration status.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2004

Author dc:creator

• Torres, Julie West

Contributors dc:contributor

• Larson-Hall, Jenifer
• Montler, Timothy
• Cukor-Avila, Patricia

• English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers.
• English teachers.
• immigrants
• ESL
• teachers
• adult students
• perceptions
• English as a Second Language

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Torres, Julie West
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 58803332
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4681/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4681

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4681