Listening (for teachers of English as a foreign language)

A video-chat about how to improve your EFL students listening skills.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• ESL
• EFL
• English
• teaching
• TEFL

[jarako147]

When i watch American films i don't understand a lot because their English is so unclear, especially niggers slang.

i really like English historical films especially about aristocracy because of their perfect pronounciation.

From the other side. Brits should say more slowly when they have contact with foreigners. But they forget about about that and this is cause problem with communicate with them.

[MadridTeacher]

@jarako147 Jarako, the word "niggers" does not mean the same thing as "negro" in Spanish (or black). It has very negative connotations in English.

[Gurrataxxx]

@MadridTeacher Well here in southamerica we have black friends, and we call them in a nice way "negro" or "negrito", "hola negrito que tal", what would be the equivalent word to "negro" or "negrito"?, 'cause I know that "nigga" is a disgusting way to refer to afroamerican people. By the way, how's my english? I'm studying and I would love your opinion, well that's all. Thanks :D

[MadridTeacher]

@Gurrataxxx Your English is fine, but I think your culture must be different regarding this issue than the general culture in the States. I think it's really risky to try to find a "friendly" translation for the word "negro" or "negrito". The best thing is to use "neutral" words like "guy", "man" such as in "Hi guy, how's it going?"

[pedrinag]

:) I've always tried music with my students.

This week I played "High" by James Blunt because I like it and I thought they would like the sound of it or singing along. But I know "high" has a meaning that is not so interesting to teach to students. Well, most of them are adults. Would you say the word "high" could have double meaning in that song (if you know it)?

[MadridTeacher]

Why wouldn't "high" be interesting for students? It really depends on the students' tastes, doesn't it? There are plenty of adults who are interested in that sort of "taboo" vocabulary. At least around here in Madrid. You might have to think up a couple of examples of people actually using it to mean "stoned" in serious situations.

[WitantoCom]

I really want to learn EFL T_T

[powerdriller10]

Madrid Teacher:

You really suffer teaching ESL. You are always complaining about the lack of motivation of your students. Probably, they are so because Madrid is a Castilian City, and Castilians (the unifiers of Spain) are used to think that their language must be learned by the provinces, and they do not need to learn any of the other languages of Spain; so unconciously they resist also non Iberian languages, even if the foreign language is English, the world most preponderant one.

[eduardalet]

In Colombia where I teach it is quite common to say " Mi negro, como estas" it is not offensive and as you say the culture here is different. Here the main problem is motivation and financial , most people here can't afford to pay 10 dollars an hour . I won't teach for less because I'm certified to teach TEFL with three certifications. Sometimes I'll accept two students for the price of one. I advertise in the paper every weekend , sometimes I get a client for a month , or 1 year.

[vakendria]

@jarako147

you are an idiot, If you are watching films I doubt there would be any "nigger slang". Slang is in every language, regardless you can understand black american they same as white americans.

[Adrilondon]

sorry. background. :o)

[Adrilondon]

NIce backgroud. cheers for your help

[jarako147]

@MadridTeacher

Now I know