21 Mar 5 Things Native English Speakers Abroad Can Relate To
Posted at 16:11h
in Uncategorized
The power of being a native English speaker
Pop music is in English, some of the best news outlets are in English, some of the best university programs are taught in English, all airplane magazines are written both in the airline’s national language and in English.
English is everywhere. Both in English-speaking countries and abroad.
As a native English speaker who has lived in different countries, I noticed a pattern of thoughts we mother-tongue English-speaking expats can relate to. So here’s five of them:
1. You become an unofficial grammar guru
When you’re a native English speaker, you become an unofficial ambassador of the English language. People treat you as if you know all the ins and outs of grammar, pronunciation, and expressions.
Someone explained the difference between “I haven’t had” and “I hadn’t had”. Even though I didn’t know the grammatical rule, in my head I knew automatically how and when to wield each.
Sometimes a native speaker with no training in teaching languages just can’t explain why a grammar rule exists or certain language nuances that they can naturally detect.
Non-native English teachers go through much more training. They learn the structures and categories of the language better than someone with English as their mother tongue. We regard native English teachers as better instructors, but that’s really not always the case. Non-native English teachers most likely have studied English in much more depth and detail than native English ones. Some will have moved to an English-speaking country to perfect their speech or had English language training to improve their accent or better grasp the nuances of our rich and complex language.
But, alas, many expect a native English speaker to explain grammar or pronunciation varieties, and I’m here to tell you that often we cannot.
2. You realize just how privileged you are
Come on, let’s be honest. You didn’t work to achieve your English skills. Your caregivers probably spoke to you and you absorbed all their language knowledge like a fresh sponge. With English as our native tongue, we are, at least linguistically, privileged. You can venture to virtually any corner of the globe and find someone that speaks a few words of English.
If you ever find yourself stranded somewhere, there is a high chance you will find someone who can speak two or three words of English and can direct you to the nearest Hard Rock Cafe’. This is a PRIVILEGE, not a given.
Work abroad comes easier for us. Like many fellow Americans, Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders hoping to move, you will probably find a gig in a country of your choice (at the very least as an English teacher in which you’re paid to speak English), while citizens of that country struggle to find work.
When I graduated from college in 2016, I moved to Austria to try my luck in a new country (I’m an EU citizen as well) and settled in Vienna. After a couple of months of unsuccessful job hunting, I decided to enroll in a master’s program taught in English and soon found a job in English. I spent a few months in intensive German courses, but I ended up not even “needing” them.
3. You notice how everybody wants to practice their English with you
Forget learning other languages, people around the world will want to speak to you in English, and English only. It depends on the country and it’s subjective, but many people consider learning English as an ongoing project. If you speak English on a native level, you’re the perfect person to practice with.
When I lived in Austria and Germany for example, people would automatically switch to English when they realized I wasn’t fluent in German (their English was amazing most of the time).
I’ll admit I was also lazy, so I caved into just speaking English 😀
4. You question yourself
When you travel to different countries and keep hearing the same mistakes you doubt if YOUR version is correct or not.
For example, I facepalmed so many times in Austria from hearing we and us used in the same clause, like in “we see us later in the evening”. Or people saying “feedbacks” instead of “feedback” because they think there’s a plural form. Nope, “feedback” is a mass (or uncountable) noun so there is no plural. But wait, is it?!
I often find myself double-checking spelling or expressions on my phone after having a conversation with a non-native, to make sure.
Sometimes, you even start absorbing those mistakes after hearing them enough, the tyranny of the majority in action I guess. My American family still laughs at me as I cannot pronounce the “th” sound as easily anymore.
5. You are constantly reminded of how not special you are
Yes.
That non-native English speakers are speaking with you means they are already fluent in at least two languages. English is extra.
That English is your first (and maybe only) language will help you when traveling and finding a job, but otherwise, you’re behind in the game. This is a wake-up call that it’s time that you also start adapting to others and to learn another language!
Learning another language will open your eyes to a whole new set of struggles. Such as having to memorize grammar rules, learning to make sounds with your throat (looking at you German!) or other parts of your mouth you didn’t think possible, and practicing and accepting that you will sound “foolish” when making mistakes.