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Page 1: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

BILC Conference2011. Vilnius

Study Group 1

Guidelines for native speakers

to enhance communication

with non-native speakers

Page 2: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Tasking

SG 1. was tasked

- to develop guidelines for English native speakers during operations

- to identify how to self-monitor language use and choices

- to facilitate comprehension/interaction with non-native speakers

Page 3: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Finding

Be considerate

Thank you for your attention!

Page 4: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Concerns

SG 1. was concerned about the:- target population of guidelines (officers, NCOs,

enlisted, …)- context (operational?)- non-native speaker’s/receiving person’s

characteristics:educational background, rank, first language, level

- native speaker’s/communicating person’s characteristics:educational background, rank, regional dialect

- NNS’s level (STANAG 2 and above?)- standard English ???- awareness of communication breakdowns

Page 5: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Guidelines

SG 1.’s interpretation of guidelines

= to provide concise, common sense reminders to raise NSs’ awareness of how to enhance communication and to avoid or repair breakdowns with a STANAG level 2 or above NNS receiver

= to give short, common sense tips to help NSs to improve communication and to avoid or repair breakdowns with a STANAG level 2 or above NNS

Page 6: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Tips

1. Communication-related issues

2. Language-related issues

3. Context-related issues

Page 7: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Communication-related tips

• Know your audience• Be sensitive to your audience

- Be empathetic, open, patient, considerate- Establish trust with the listener- Make yourself accessible- Encourage a positive atmosphere

• Avoid irony, humour, sarcasm, cynicism• Be culturally aware• Don't assume that you're understood • Use concept checking questions• Keep your topic focused (avoid digressions)• Use gestures and body language

Page 8: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Language-related tips – 1.

• Choose high-frequency, short-syllable words• Use clear, short sentences (avoid complex

sentence structure)• Pay attention to sentence stress• Control/Reduce use of phrasal verbs, use single-

verb phrases• Use active voice, not passive (tenses)• Avoid contractions, weak forms

Page 9: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Language-related tips – 2.

• Avoid regionalisms, colloquialisms/slang and idioms

• Use plain English expressions• Stay in the concrete:

- avoid implied meaning- avoid padding- avoid semantic ambiguity

• Restate at a slower pace, next reword

Page 10: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.Context-related tips

• Understand whether the conversation context is general or specific

• Take into consideration environmental factors

Page 11: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1.

„Communicate to express, not to impress.”

Page 12: BILC Conference 2011. Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

With the cooperation of colleagues from:

AustraliaBosnia and HerzegovinaCanadaDenmarkEstoniaGeorgiaItalyLithuaniaPortugalSpainSwedenUnited Arab Emirates

Thank you!


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