| "I was shocked to find that my IELTS* speaking result | | | | English, or are continually surrounded by one particular |
| was the lowest of my four scores. I asked my IELTS | | | | accent, develop "immunity" to the accent. They stop |
| teacher why he thought that was. He said that the low | | | | noticing the incorrect pronunciation. Even if they |
| mark was probably because of my pronunciation. I | | | | wanted to help, it is often quite difficult for native |
| was horrified. I work in a hospital. I'm surrounded by | | | | speakers in this situation to identify your pronunciation |
| native-speaker nurses and doctors and patients. They | | | | errors. |
| never comment on my pronunciation. They never | | | | 6. They are disillusioned. Some native speakers have in |
| correct me. If my pronunciation is so bad, why hasn't | | | | the past made the effort to work with an ESL |
| anyone said anything?" | | | | speaker on pronunciation. Perhaps they might have |
| Here are seven reasons why native speakers of | | | | gone about it in the wrong way. Whatever the reason, |
| English are reluctant to help ESL** speakers correct | | | | the ESL student, after correction, keeps returning to |
| their pronunciation. When you understand their | | | | the incorrect pronunciation. This can be discouraging |
| hesitation, you will be in a much better position to take | | | | for the coach who then simply gives up trying. |
| steps to do something about it. Here are the seven | | | | 7. But here is the number ONE reason why native |
| reasons: | | | | speakers do not help correct your pronunciation. You |
| | | | didn't ASK. Unless you come right out and ask for help, |
| 1. It is rude. In most Western countries, it is considered | | | | you cannot expect to receive it. It is your initiative to |
| impolite to correct someone else's pronunciation. The | | | | take. Take it. What is the worst that can happen if you |
| British, in particular, are famous for hating to offend | | | | ask someone to correct your pronunciation? They |
| someone. | | | | might politely decline. That does not matter. You can |
| 2. They do not want to risk your friendship. They think | | | | then try someone else. But, above all you have to ask |
| that you may be offended if they correct you. They | | | | for help in order to receive it. |
| do not understand that continuing to ignore a | | | | Now that you understand the mentality of the |
| mis-pronounced word is in fact reinforcing that | | | | English-speaker, you can think about ways to |
| incorrect pronunciation in your mind. | | | | approach your English-speaking friends and ask for |
| 3. They think your accent is cute. Many native | | | | help with your upcoming IELTS exam. You can think of |
| speakers find a foreign accent quite charming or | | | | ways to reassure them that you are going to |
| refreshing. That is fine if you are still able to | | | | appreciate the help and not resent correction. And you |
| communicate your meaning clearly. But it is a problem | | | | will make a point of taking the coaching they give you |
| if you find that people are misunderstanding your | | | | seriously. You will find ways to memorize the |
| message. And your "cute" accent is not going to | | | | corrections, practise them and use them in the |
| charm your IELTS examiner. | | | | following days. If you make sure your coach notices |
| 4. They hesitate to interrupt the flow of a | | | | your determination to improve, then he will be |
| conversation. That is fine when it is a casual social | | | | encouraged to keep helping you in the lead-up to your |
| conversation. But it becomes a problem when the | | | | IELTS test. |
| discussion is a crucial business situation or, for example, | | | | Good luck! |
| an important decision to be made in a life-threatening | | | | *IELTS - International English Language Teaching |
| situation. | | | | System is the world's leading test of English for higher |
| 5. They are "immune". Often, native speakers who | | | | education, immigration and employment. |
| have lived for a long time with an ESL speaker of | | | | |