Anyone who has learnt a foreign language will not need telling how challenging it can be. And most of the difficulties language learners face come from native speakers who lack an understanding of how hard acquiring a second language is. This blog focuses on the sorts of things lots of native English speakers do (most of the time unwittingly) that can be quite off-putting for people trying to speak to them in what is, after all, a foreign language.  

I've lost count of the number of times I've heard native English speakers with no language teaching experience assume that a person struggling to communicate in English will easily comprehend fast-paced colloquial expressions. It's not just the range of vocabulary fired indiscriminately at learners that irks me, but the breakneck speed at which unwitting natives often respond to questions from non-native speakers. Now, I do always make a point of not speaking too slowly to even absolute beginners in my lessons. But that's in a controlled learning environment. If you add in the mix a whole bunch of slang, informal expressions and possibly even a strong regional accent, speaking at top speed to someone whose first language isn't English isn't the best approach if you're genuinely trying to help.  

Another point I would like to raise while we're here: why do so many English speakers turn the volume right up when attempting to engage with foreign nationals who lack fluency? There's simply no need to shout. You're not going to make yourself any clearer by raising your decibels to almost dangerous levels! Clarity comes from articulation and pacing, not brute-force volume.

Building up the courage to practise your language skills with a native speaker can take a tremendous amount of effort. So, the last thing you want is for the person you choose to chat with—or ask for directions—to mock your attempt. I know this from first-hand experience. There were plenty of occasions when I first moved out to Southeast Asia where I had my confidence shattered due to unkind reactions in such situations. Patience costs nothing.

If you know a thing or two about non-verbal communication, you'll understand the importance of being aware of the things we say without speaking a word. A look of bewilderment, a frown on your face, or just a look of frustration when a non-native English speaker is trying to communicate with you is enough to kill their confidence. If I had a pound for every time this sort of thing has happened to me over the years when trying to converse in a foreign language, I'd be very well off! In fact, we say more non-verbally than we do through actual speaking. Native speakers guilty of displaying negative body language should remember: just because there's no sound coming out of your mouth, it doesn't mean that you're not communicating! 

Making sure you choose the most appropriate words when communicating with someone who doesn't have English as their first language is crucial.

Imagine saying this to a foreign visitor trying to get around in a UK town: "Oh yeah, you can get one of ‘em for a tenner. Just get in your motor and head up there mate. You'll see the market area just up the road, geez."

Or "Sure mate. Just go past that boozer on the left, and you should see a cash machine somewhere between the caff and the barber’s."

You would be better understood if you were mindful of how you're using informal or slang English and used something along the lines of: "Yes, you should be able to buy one of those for ten pounds. Just get in your car and drive straight up that road. You will see the market area right there." Or, "if you go past the pub on the left, you will see an ATM between the café and the hairdresser’s." Stripping away heavy regional slang makes international communication easier.

Before we wrap up, let's look at how well you can decode native speech habits. Read the short dialogue below and see if you can spot the two cultural or linguistic traps hidden in how the native speaker replies:

Visitor: "Excuse me, could you tell me where I might find a public lavatory?" Local: "Ah, right, you're after the loo! Just pop down the high street, hang a left past the chemist, and you'll spot it straight away."

Did you catch them? First, using regional slang like "after the loo" or "pop down" can instantly confuse a learner who learnt standard English vocabulary. Second, telling someone to "hang a left" uses an informal directional idiom rather than clear, direct instruction. Recognising these little quirks is the secret to moving from classroom textbook English to real-world comprehension!

English language learners, when you have tried to talk to locals in an English-speaking country, have you experienced any similar communication barriers? Let me know in the comments below.

Want to build complete confidence in understanding real-world native speech without the guesswork? Book a session with me today, and let's master natural communication together! Thanks for reading, all, and see you next time.

unwittingly – doing something without realising it 

off-putting – something that is slightly unpleasant
indiscriminately – in a random, haphazard, or careless manner without making distinctions
decibels – a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound
shattered confidence – a sudden and severe loss of self-assurance or belief in oneself
very well off – very rich
regional slang – informal words and phrases used only within a specific geographical area or country
textbook English – formal, standardised language taught in academic settings, often differing from spoken reality