After reading the articles assigned on language learning and what makes some one a good language learner, I have to say I am a bit frustrated. It's annoying to find that those who are learning their L2 are treated as though they cannot communicate with English speakers around them.
They aren't given a fair chance to work things out and make head way in learning the language. It is assumed, immediately, that if they person cannot communicate quickly and efficiently then all they are is a burden to society. Imagine if all native speakers of whatever language, treated L2 learners this way... no one would ever take the time to learn a second language. It would be far too demeaning yet we treat L2 learners of English just that way.
It's sad and I wish there was a way to change it, to make people aware of the effect they had on L2 learners just by the way they act.
I agree with you in saying that it is sad that L2 learners aren't really given a fair chance because they are struggling to learn another language. It's interesting to see such emotion come from people in these situations because they are unable to communicate effectively or at the other end are unable to understand the message. It can be quite frustrating for both parties.
ReplyDeleteYes I definitely agree, so what is it that makes L1 people see L2 learners that way? There is always this barrier, something that will create the us vs. them mentality, which is very odd because many act welcoming in and when they do meet L2 learners with a broken Swedish, they see them as inferior. I think that in many countries, L1 speakers put a high value on the dominant/official/de facto official language, that it has to be spoken in the correct way, like standard pronunciation and even local variations could be seen as inferior. It seems as if the language itself has the power to divide people in the same society in different groups. The way one speaks defines and identifies you to other people, and if we have an accent that is deviant, then we're seen as inferior because today, it is assumed that everyone can speak and write correctly. Knowing language the "correct" way gives you a better status in society, and gives you more power.
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