David Crystal - The Biggest Challenges for Teachers

Summary

The video script discusses the challenges of language teaching in the face of rapid linguistic evolution, particularly due to the internet and globalization. It emphasizes the importance for teachers to keep pace with new slang and expressions, and to expose students to various English dialects beyond traditional British or American English. The speaker also touches on the complexity of language and the need for teachers to be well-compensated for their crucial role in education.

Takeaways

• 😯 The rapid pace of language change is the biggest challenge for teachers, especially due to the internet accelerating the spread of new words and expressions.
• 🌐 Teachers need to keep up with language evolution because students are often already familiar with new slang and expressions before they are taught in class.
• 🌍 Globalization of English is a significant trend, with English spoken in various accents and dialects worldwide, not just British or American English.
• 📚 Teachers should respect traditional accents and dialects but also expose students to the diversity of English to prepare them for real-world encounters.
• 🔍 It's important for educators to improve students' listening and reading comprehension by introducing them to different English varieties.
• 🎓 The traditional focus on a single 'correct' form of English, such as Received Pronunciation, may not be sufficient in today's global context.
• 📈 The variety of English accents and dialects encountered globally is vast, and teachers should consider including multiple varieties in their curriculum.
• 👂 Exposure to different English accents can help students develop better listening comprehension and adapt to various linguistic situations.
• 📝 While maintaining a conservative approach for exam preparation due to exam boards' conservatism, teachers should still embrace language diversity in the classroom.
• 💡 Teachers can utilize the internet to easily access resources and examples of different English accents and dialects for educational purposes.
• 💰 The speaker suggests that teacher salaries should be significantly increased to reflect the complexity and importance of their profession.

Q & A

What is the biggest challenge in language teaching according to the script?

The biggest challenge in language teaching is keeping pace with language change, which is happening at an unprecedented speed due to the internet and globalization.

How does the internet influence the speed of language change?

The internet fosters new varieties and experiences of language, allowing new words and expressions to spread globally within hours rather than generations.

Why is it important for teachers to keep up with language changes?

Teachers need to keep up with language changes because their students are often already familiar with new slang and expressions, and it helps in maintaining relevance and effectiveness in teaching.

What is the impact of globalization on the English language?

Globalization has led to the diversification of English, with various accents and dialects becoming more prevalent worldwide, challenging the notion of a single 'correct' English.

Why is it a mistake to teach students that there is only one kind of English?

Teaching students that there is only one kind of English can be limiting, as it does not prepare them for the diverse accents and dialects they will encounter in the global context.

What should teachers do to expose their students to the variety of English dialects?

Teachers should incorporate listening and reading materials that represent different English dialects and accents into their curriculum to improve students' comprehension skills.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of traditional accents in language teaching?

The speaker believes that while traditional accents should be respected and taught, it is also crucial to expose students to the full range of language variation.

How can teachers effectively keep up with changes in language and pedagogy?

Teachers can leverage the internet to access resources, materials, and even direct interactions with speakers of different dialects, making the task of staying current more manageable.

What does the speaker suggest about teacher salaries?

The speaker suggests that teacher salaries should be significantly increased to reflect the complex professionalism required in language teaching.

What is the speaker's perspective on the complexity of language?

The speaker views language as the most complex aspect of human behavior, surpassing even fields like brain surgery and nuclear physics in complexity.

How does the speaker propose to address the challenge of teaching diverse English dialects?

The speaker proposes that teachers and institutions should choose which dialects to expose students to based on their likely future encounters and the usefulness of those varieties, while also using the internet to facilitate access to these dialects.