WHAT’S IN A NAME? AN ACRONYM BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD BE AS CONFUSING 

Just to get it straight....... What does the “NNEST” in the formal title, “NNEST Interest Section” stand for? That being said, NNEST most frequently represents “Nonnative English Speaking Teacher” and we have decided it is pronounced ƐN-NEST not NƏ-NEST so we say “an NNEST.”

How are NNESTs identified? By themselves I’m a big proponent of self-identification By others by “accent” by race or ethnicity Why would people associate any problems with NNESTitude? BTW, might there be any incidental benefits to being a native speaker?

A speculative history of “non-native” terms So who do you think came up with the term, Non Native Speaker? (NNS not NNEST) BTW, let’s remember that Chomsky was using the native speaker construct to argue for descriptivism over prescriptism. He was not concerned with teacher qualifications. It IS a convenient way to explain what we do: we teach nonnative English speakers to speak English. In what kinds of environments to you think the term Nonnative English Speaking Teacher (NNEST) first began to be used? What kinds of people to you think would have been the most likely to use this term first?

Why was the term NNEST originally accepted.... ...if not entirely embraced?  Hiring discrimination-- “Native Speakers Only”

What are some of the problems with the NNEST label? The negativity looms large—some insist it is demeaning,comparing it to the expression “non white” It “others” NNESTs It refers to a false standard (the native speaker fallacy). specialist acronym (and not transparent to others) can lead others to the assumption that only NNESTs care about NNEST issues What in the heck does the accident of birth that determines one’s first language have to do with language proficiency or language teaching competence? We fight discrimination but then discriminate against ourselves by using the NNEST label.

What are some of the benefits claimed for the NNEST label? Stresses ability and expertise over accidents of birth Makes a presumed “disadvantage” an advantage Encourages a more global perspective Values/Acknowledges the periphery Makes it easy to organize against discrimination Can “own” the term like the other “N” word for African Americans or “Queer” for gays Research field already identified as such Leadership models and leadership development (more stakes to showing one’s ability and involvement) Benefits the profession (education and expertise count!)

What alternatives have been proposed to NNEST? Anglophone Teachers of English BEST (Bilingual English Speaking Teacher) From “legitimate user of English” we have Legitimate Teacher of English Transnational English Teacher (see Julia Menard-Warwick’s research in the Dec 08 “TESOL Quarterly”) Translinguistic (Transcultural?) English Teachers Multlilingual/Multicultural English Speaking Teacher—but “MEST?” DEST (Diverse English Speaking Teachers) Replacing “speaker/speaking” with “user/using” Replacing “English” with “Englishes”

Key Problems with Alternative Labels Other formulations (include people like me)—should people like me be included?   This raises the question, what additional characteristics do nonnative speakers of English bring to the table as teachers that multilingual/ multiculturals (who háppen to be native English speakers)* don’t. * Or should I say “Non Nonnative English Speaking Teachers?” 

Final thoughts on the NNEST label (2) The NNEST label allows us to have discussions about discrimination against NNESTs with (doubtful?) NESs. (establishes that there is a problem and puts us in a position where we can encourage people to explore their biases). “NNEST” does indicate that there are valuable experiences that native English speaking multilinguals might not share with NNESTs. As long as most people think that being a native speaker of English is the only skill you need to be an English language teacher, none of us will receive the respect and compensation we deserve, so--NNESTs lead the vanguard in our efforts to establish our professional legitimacy.

Thanks for your good ideas!

Considering the NS standard If being native speaker is the standard, by definition, no one else can achieve it). --but many NSs couldn’t teach their ways out of a paper bag. --many NSs do not have superb control of English language and/or literacy.