The Seven Most Distinctive Spoken English Language Varieties

Which English is Best?

With English continuing to develop as a principal world language, a question which often arises among EFL learners is, “Which English is best?” It can be confusing to new learners of all ages as to which one of the “Englishes” should be learned or studied. While the answer to this may depend on your needs and location, one consideration is the many varieties of English that exist and are spoken world wide.

Here are Seven Distinctive Varieties of English:

• American English
This category of English actually consists of several variations. There are recognizable variations in the spoken English of the South, the Pennsylvania Dutch, the New England region of the U.S., the Midwestern U.S. and the West coast. There is also “Black English” spoken as a distinct racial community variety of English across the USA.

• Black English (Ebonics)
You won’t have to go very far to hear this distinctive variety of English. Try the latest Rap or Hip Hop offerings or listen to interviews with black artists for the unique flair this English variety has. Grammar, lexis, idioms, expressions and vocabulary are all impacted by this and other varieties of English.

• British English
The origin of English proper, there are “common” variations of English spoken throughout the UK. The “Upper Crust” as it were, used a particular variety of spoken English known as RP or “Received Pronunciation”. RP is what the royal family and those educated at Oxford, Cambridge and other high-level universities were taught to use and speak.

• Australian English
No question here, Steve Irwin popularized Australia’s unique wildlife in a way like no other before his untimely, accidental death in 2006. Another character who brought Australian English to the forefront of public knowledge was Paul “Crocodile Dundee” Hogan in a movie and sequel bearing the same name.


• Jamaican English
Spoken English in Jamaica has always been an interesting variety for the many travelers, vacationers and visitors to this island. It’s also used in movies, documentaries and films set in Jamaica. Singer Bob Marley also contributed not only his music, but interest in the culture and spoken English variety of Jamaica as have a number of other Reggae music artists.

• English Spoken in India
A distinctive variety of spoken English is used in India. The language is taught and applied there as a sort of “lingua franca”, since there are hundreds of regionally and locally spoken languages and dialects across the Indian continent. Hundreds of movies, documentaries and other media are readily available in this variety of English.

• Varieties of Pidgins and Patois Spoken in a Number of Locations
There are unique, local or regional varieties of English spoken in a number of countries world wide. Places like Belize, the Philippines, several West Indies (Caribbean) islands like Barbados, Trinidad, the Cayman Islands and both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Guyana (formerly British) in South America and African countries where English is widely spoken, each have their own particular brand of spoken English.

English Language Needs and Location
The question, “which English is best?” usually depends on the needs and location of the EFL learner, especially when one considers the many varieties of English that exist and that are spoken world wide.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 120 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

The Day I Almost Met Gregory Hines

Over the Years
Over the years I’ve had chance encounters, quick views and near-run-ins with a number of celebrities and sports personalities. Like former boxing heavyweight champions Muhammad Ali who I saw entering the Black Muslim mosque in Baltimore in the late 1960’s. Mike Tyson sat in a small restaurant at the table next to mine in Chester, Pennsylvania saying “excuse me when he accidentally bumped into me while seating himself. Another former heavy weight boxing champion, Evander Holyfield was at a private cookout I attended in Atlanta, Georgia. Joe Frazier had a small fast-food joint on City Line avenue in his home town of Philadelphia where I also lived in the late 1970s.

Malcolm X
Black political activist Malcolm X was also at the Black Muslim mosque in Baltimore, Maryland which was located three blocks from where I lived at the time. I passed the mosque often on my way to the market and shopping districts. Actor Martin Kove walked past me and up the stairs to his hotel in New York city. I didn’t recall who he was until a few minutes later. Jazz musician Grover Washington performed live in front of me in a small club in Philadelphia. R & B pop recording star Patti LaBelle who also lives in Philadelphia often shops locally and is often encountered casually by fans like I did. Singer Sarah Dash is the aunt of a buddy I hung out with while living in Philadelphia too. Little Anthony (of the Imperials) and 1960’s soul music singer Mary Wells who died a few years later of cancer, I chatted with both at after-concert casual settings at different times (with Mary Wells in Cleveland).

I Loved Jazz Then, and Still Do
Jazz drummer and legend Art Blakey performed at a tiny jazz club in south Philadelphia on a stage so close to my front-row table that he nearly stepped on my outstretched hand when he shifted positions while playing (Thanks Priscilla). World land speed record holder (at the time) - Craig Breedlove autographed my program at a car show. Although I never actually met him, as a teenager I got a signed “Thank You” letter from then FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. I saw Queen Elizabeth in person once too, in a parade for her birthday while I was living in London (1972). Prince Carlos of Spain passed in front of me outside the Hilton Hotel in Quito Ecuador. Actress Halle Berry addressed a small crowd I was standing in when she was promoting the film debut of “Cat Woman (“Gatubela” in Spanish) in Barcelona, Spain.

And Now About Gregory Hines
And the late great hoofer Gregory Hines, well I was sitting in my parked car downtown in Allentown, Pennsylvania when he walked around the corner towards me while taking a break from a show he was performing in. I was so stunned I said nothing – I just stared, wondering what he was doing there. He chatted casually with the lady who accompanied him briefly before returning to the theater. I never got out of my car to speak to him and no one else was around or on the street. I missed my chance to meet him even though I enjoyed his dance routines and movie roles. Born on February 14, 1946 (Valentine’s Day) he died from cancer on August 9, 2003 in Los Angeles.

Epilogue
That afternoon in Allentown I was waiting for my girlfriend to arrive at the bus terminal which is located next to the theater. When she got into the terminal shortly thereafter, I told her the story of what had just recently happened but she didn’t believe me. We got married in July of that same year. After all these years, she still doesn’t believe me. You do though, don’t you?


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-books,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" or "7 Techniques to Motivate Your English Language Learners and Make Your Classes More Dynamic" by requesting the title you want at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Part 2 Writing for Maximum Creativity: Think You're Creative? Try This!

Re-Tell a Tale

We're picking up from Peter Pan here. As English language teaching professionals and writers, let’s continue to show some creativity as we began in the first part of this series. How about a few twists in the plots to make the story less predictable? How about a unique twist or change in the ending, characters, intent, personality or plot? It’s been done before. So pick one, two or more, put your thinking (and writer) cap on, free your muse and allow your creativity full reign. Why should H.C. Anderson, Mother G., that Barrie fellow and those Grimm brothers have all the fun?

Cinderella

This one’s already been re-done a slew of times but they still haven’t gotten it right! Surely you can put in a couple of good plot twists, and a surprise ending that’ll keep readers on their toes. My Fairy Godmother grants me a “wish” and you think I’m gonna ask for clothes? Get outta here! I can think of a few other things to wish for under those conditions. Man, what Alfred Hitchcock could do with a plot like that! He’d have Cindy take care of her situation in some very “special” ways. How about you? What would YOU have Cindy do? My devious little mind is already puttering away with ideas for that “Stepmother” and her offal. (Pun intended - No, stop that!)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Now we all know that child protection services, civil rights act defenders, the ACLU, the NAACP, labor unions, Amnesty International, the FBI, CIA and a host of other government, religious and private agencies would have a field day with this one. This story would certainly be a challenge to work on. Let’s see, a comedy twist, change of venue, plot reversal, perhaps a ticklish murder mystery? (Has anyone seen or heard from “Sneezy” lately?) How about a “gangster” version called “Get Grumpy”. The English language teaching and learning possibilities boggle the mind. Why don’t you take a stab (pun intended) at this story?

What’ll it be then? Humor, mystery, adult, crime, science fiction, western, drama, weird, whimsy or even raw, stark naked terror strike your fancy? Come up with your own alternative fractured fairy tale version. It’ll not only be a challenge, and loads of fun, but an immeasurable boost to your creativity as you weave, cavort, shoot, stab, stumble, plot, whinny and twist your way through as yet uncharted territory – for you. Fractured fairy tale versions abound online (no peeking now!) but whip and work your muse to develop new strains of tired old themes. Let me know how you make out. (Oops, no pun intended)

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on the lucrative, fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign Language, get your copy of his no-cost, full multi-media, hypertext-linked pdf ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know” by sending an e-mail to lynchlarrym@gmail.com with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line.

Have a question, request, or want to receive more information or to be added to his articles and information mailing list? Contact the author for prompt response.

Teaching English in Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs on Teaching English in Mexico

Readers have posed a number of oft-asked, poignant questions about teaching English in Mexico which I'll be unable to answer in full detail here, but I should be able to address the brunt or so of them with brief snippets of information.

photo credit: ELT professional Shebnem Itil teaches a conversation-generating dynamic

Q: First, I have heard that it is possible to work at a university teaching English, but I wonder if I have enough experience? It looked like according to your article only highly qualified teachers could get positions in a university.

A: First, you shouldn't worry too much about a lack of more experience. if you do have some, you're a trained, educated TEFL teacher and a native speaker, you'll be okay. Go ahead, apply to schools, institutes and universities.

Q: Second, what is the best time of year to go to look for work in Mexico?

A: As far as looking for work is concerned; July to August you should be pounding the pavement. The next best time frame is in early to mid January. Another critical period for job-hunting is May to June. Most importantly, choose where you want to live and work, then take a pilot trip to uncover essential facts, leads and information.

Q: Third, do you think it would be possible to earn enough money teaching English as a foreign language in Mexico that I would be able to pay some of my bills back at home, for example my student loan payment?

A: While you can certainly earn a living in Mexico teaching English as a foreign language in primary / secondary schools, trade schools, language institutes and universities – even giving private classes on the side, paying off a student loan in US dollars is a bit over the top for a salary earned in Mexican pesos. I certainly wouldn’t count on getting that kind of money – at least, not for a while. Travel to your planned work area by making a pilot trip to ascertain what kind of salary range TEFL teachers get there among other things.

Q: How much money do you think I need to have saved up before I would go to Mexico City? I´ve read as much as $3,500 just to get started, is that true??!!

A: You should try to have enough money to tide you over at least a couple of months to give you some breathing room, but even one month of savings will cover you some. Just look at the exchange rate of U.S. dollars to Mexican pesos. Factor in the cost of living per month and you’ll likely find that 3500 dollars is hardly necessary. You should work up a more accurate - much lower figure using a pilot trip, if possible. Check out http://www.tefl.com/ for their city cost guides to give you ballpark figures.

Finally, ask yourself some hard questions about why you want to be at ABC city in XYZ country, in this case, Mexico. Surviving those soul-searching questions, you'll be better prepared mentally to cope with whatever happens and will intrinsically have the innate staying power to “hang in there” when the going gets a little rocky - which, my friend, it will.

I hope these brief answers start to help you. Do consider making a pilot trip to your planned destination. Check out my blog post: “Teaching English in Mexico: Why You Need to Take a Pilot Trip”. Also, let me know if you'd like to be placed on my mailing list for new articles, TEFL info and updates.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on entering or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Two Quick and Easy Dynamic Games Your English Language Learners Will Love

Do your English or foreign language learners like to play games? If they’re at all like my students, of course they do. Are you looking for a short, fast-paced, dynamic activity your language learners will love? While you’re at it, do you want them to practice their language skills too? Here are two adaptable games that work just great in my EFL classroom. I think they can work well for you too.

“Tricky”

Also known as Tic-Tac-Toe in some countries, you can adapt this game in a number of ways to elicit spontaneous practice on the part of your English or foreign language learners. Divide a table, desk, the board, a sheet of paper or even a portion of the floor into a nine-square, three by three grid pattern using a marker or masking tape. Ask a question or give a short task to a student or group of students. A correct answer allows them to place a marker (or one of themselves) into a square.

An incorrect answer rolls the turn to the next student or group. The students or groups take successive turns giving answers (or completing short tasks) or responses, trying to get three in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Things can heat up quickly with this game activity.

BINGO

B-I-N-G-O, a dynamic alternative or variation of “Tricky”, this seemingly age-old favorite uses five (or any number) in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally to determine a “winner”. Use grammar in context, vocabulary, synonyms, definitions, antonyms, questions – answers, short dialogues or whatever else you want your language learners to practice in context. The first student or small group to score five in a row is declared the “winner”. To continue to involve even more students or time, continue playing with a second or third place winner. You can also play until everyone has “won”.

Learners practice their English or foreign language skills, turn-taking and cooperative learning strategies while having a blast. As a board game, use nine different-colored squares on a table or desktop with plastic figures or the learners’ personal items (keys, key rings, pens, coins, buttons, small objects, etc.) as markers.

TPR

For a more Total Physical Response (TPR) approach, mark off the floor with masking tape and the students themselves become the “markers”. Use markers on the white board to write in the learners’ or team names for larger groups. But try one or both of these simple, quick activities to jazz up a slow-starting class or as a “wake up” dynamic for longer class sessions. Then judge for yourself how your learners respond.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on entering or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Why You Should Use More Technology in Your English Language Teaching

The Situation

Think about your English as a foreign language learners for a moment. After school, what do they do? What occupies them evenings, weekends and holidays? Where do they go? What activities do they enjoy? How? Are they in a traditional classroom or receiving home schooling?

Do they have a TV at home? Of course they do. If they’re part of the world's population that doesn’t, they’ll surely have access to one somewhere. At a friend’s or neighbor’s, a local store or shop – somewhere they can watch TV at least on regular occasions.

How about movies? Do your learners like and watch movies with any regularity? In most of the developing world that’s another big time YES. While the kinds of movies different learners may watch and like can vary widely, surely they’ll have preferences that stir their emotions and get their “juices” flowing.

Then there’s the telephone. Can you even imagine how much time your daily charges spend yakking away about this or that to their friends, classmates and whoever else? Perhaps where you are your learners even have their own cellular phones. Even if not, whether it’s their family landline or a community telephone, you can just bet that they’re on it every chance they get.

Now there’s music. Do they use cassette players, CD players, MP3 / MP4 devices, DVD’s or even a phonograph? Almost certainly they do. One or more of these devices are likely a regular fixture in the daily lives of your learners. They often live and breathe music whether it’s a genre you like, one you can at least “tolerate” or one of those “oh my god, you listen to that!”

Your learners (and you too for that matter) are constantly bombarded by visuals and graphics in the form of signs, logos, billboards, notices, photos, pictures and images of virtually every description. From scratchings in the sand to chalkboard talk to the slickest of online and televised video “infomercials”, visuals too are an integral of your learners everyday life.

And oh yes, there’s the culture-pervading PC computer. Where would you have to be to get away from them? At the high end of the spectrum, there are video games, ipods, e-mail, RSS feeds, blogs, vlogs and the multiple facets of the internet. Lower tech applications might include using word processing software, spreadsheets or databases for routine applications. Although typewriters still exist, countless minions use computers to do homework and prepare basic letters, writing and reports.

Some Considerations

So where am I going with all of this? Simply to remind you that if your classes aren’t regularly enhanced by more aspects the learners are used to, use and experience in their everyday lives outside of the classroom, how do you think they feel about your classes where they might just sit and do “exercises” or listen to you talk and / or explain? The answer is simple. They’ll think, “This class is B-O-R-I-N-G”. Their capable young minds will drift and their attention will be lost. In a worst-case-classroom scenario, pandemonium could ensue. And it’s all YOUR fault.

Some Suggestions

But hold on there. What might be done to circumvent such a dire scenario?

There’s plenty, that’s what. And, NO – it won’t cost a fortune to upgrade your skills, activities, equipment and teaching. Adapt your class tools to include some of the following high and low tech aids to help boost the attention, participation and learning that takes place in your hallowed classroom. You’ll likely note a dramatic difference in the learners’ attitude and class participation almost immediately. Here are some tools you might want to consider.

Twenty-First Century Tools

TV / VCR / DVD Player

You can use these for showing documentaries and relevant video clips either in the classroom or other common area reserved for this purpose.

Audio-cassette / DVD Player

Here you’ll have recorded materials from radio, TV and / or cable as well as commercially available materials from ELT or educational publishing houses. These can include stories, fairy tales, narratives, news, reviews, commentary and even commercials.

Video Beam

Prepared Power Point presentations of your own, from colleagues or from commercial sources can be incorporated into your lesson planning and classroom repertoire using this now more commonly available resource in an auditorium or other common area.

Over Head Projector (OHP)

As far as I’m concerned, this is one piece of equipment that is a mainstay of the language classroom. It’s often available, but grossly under-utilized. Acetate sheet transparencies are quick and inexpensive to produce, often costing mere pennies a piece. Shadow figures and freely available materials from teacher download sites like www.enchantedlearning.com make using this resource almost “child’s play” as Chucky would say.

PC Computers

If your school facilities include a computer room, you’re virtually “home free”. An expanding list of teacher / ELT websites can provide you with more lesson plans, handouts, games, puzzles, quizzes, graphics and ideas than you could ever use. Learners can play free, online educational games or take surveys or challenging quizzes on sites like:

• http://www.daveseslcafe.com/
• http://www.eslbase.com/
• http://www.onestopenglish.com/
• http://www.englishclub.com/

There’s a host of others to boot. Teachers too can boost their skills, develop new ones and expand their horizons at sites including:

• http://www.tefl.com/
• http://www.etprofessional.com/
• http://www.quia.com/
• http://www.eslmag.com/

So for the next school sessions, don’t have the learners say, “This class is B-O-R-I-N-G”, get the jump on them with some twenty-first century tools you can start using almost right away If all else fails, or you just need a little extra guidance; e-mail me at the address below. I’ll be happy to help.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on entering or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Using Movies to Improve Your English Language Speaking Skills in One Week or Less

Oh Say Have You Seen …

Have you seen the “Star Wars” saga? Remember the funny, short, long-eared green character named “Yoda”? Well, he’s quite an interesting character for English as a foreign language teachers and learners to study because of the way he speaks English. He doesn’t speak incorrectly, but his word order in particular is specialized and unique. Can you tell why?

Who hasn’t seen any of the “Harry Potter” series of movies? While reading the books by J.K. Rowling can be more interesting, the movies lend themselves well to use by English language teachers and learners too. The groundskeeper, the giant Hagrid, speaks an exemplary version of northern British English that can serve as a distinct model.

The Plan

Whether on VHS or DVD, select scenes in which the character you wish to model speaks. You, the EFL English teacher, can prepare the script directly from the movie scenes or use the original dialogues from the book. A practical sequence might go as follows:

Play the selected scene and dialogue

Rewind and replay, but now you, the learner, are the character.

Mimic the character’s speech and dialogue

Repeat the mimicking process as much as you need to for improvement

Try recording your voice at the same time you’re speaking at the beginning of the process

Practice multiple times for at least three to five days

On the last day of your mimicking practice session series, record yourself again.

Now listen to your first efforts and compare them to your latest recordings. You should notice some considerable improvement. Select yet another scene from the same movie with a dialogue from the same character, if possible and repeat the process.

Don’t Stop There

Once you’ve gone through a couple of different scenes or so of mimicking the same or different characters, you’ll definitely have noticeably greater ease and fluency in speaking. Besides, it’s usually quite a lot of fun, especially if you work with a friend, classmate or partner. But don’t stop there, look for other scenes and movie clips that you can use.

Some of My Favorites

How about trying other films by your preferred actor or actress? A variety of English language speech models will help to broaden your range of listening comprehension as well as aid in rounding out your pronunciation of connected speech elements. There are a slew of actors and actresses with noteworthy speech in the English language who can have you speaking like a native in very short order. There are also, unfortunately, some whose speech is more reminiscent of something the cat drug in.

These actors are normally good English language speech models which I like to use with my EFL learners:

Harrison Ford
Sidney Poitier
Sean Connery
Pierce Brosnan
Clint Eastwood
Brendan Fraser
Danny Glover
James Todd Smith (aka LL Cool J)
John Travolta

These actresses are normally good English language speech models which I also like to use with my EFL learners:

Angelina Jolie
Sandra Bullock
Julia Roberts
Angela Bassett (pictured above)
Halle Berry
Cameron Diaz
Reese Witherspoon

Remember to check out the speech of Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies and Yoda in the Stars Wars saga. You’ll find them and many other characters excellent models of what to say (or NOT to say).

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on entering or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com