Speaking easy English
From IkataWiki
Speaking easy English can help facilitate communication with those whose English ability is less than fluent. This is especially useful in homestay situations where the visitor is not a native English speaker.
The main points to keep in mind are:
- Speak slowly
- To inexperienced learners of any foreign language, native speakers seem to talk at breakneck speed. Help your visitor by reducing the rate at which you speak, even to the point of sounding awkward.
- Enunciate
- English language learners comprehend English words one-by-one, but native English speakers tend to slur words together, for example:
- want to → wanna
- going to → gonna
- have to → hafta
- Be sure to pronounce each word clearly, as your visitor may become confused by missing articles ("a", "the") and other words that native speakers sometimes leave out.
- Use simple words
- English language learners may have a limited vocabulary. Try to use simple words whenever possible.
- Use direct phrasing
- Avoid using colloquialisms or slang, as your visitor probably won't have heard them before.
- "I don't know" is better than "I have no idea"
- "What is your father's job?" is better than "What does your father do?"
- "Do you know blank?" is better than "Have you ever heard of blank?"
