For most of us, finding a resource person who can help you out with language learning is all about taking what you can get. Some people will be luckier, though, with access to more than a single possible resource person to teach them.
For those fortunate individuals, one of the decisions they’ll likely have to make is whether to get native or second language speakers as their primary resource person. We don’t have a straight answer for this, as each of those two options will have their own pros and cons.
Hopefully, the comparisons below can help you decide:
- Native speakers know the right language to use at the right time. Chances are, secondary speakers will get several things wrong (and could teach you incorrectly in the process).
- Native speakers can’t give you advice on learning materials and progress — learning a second language isn’t something they had to go through. Non-native speakers, on the other hand, have likely traveled the same road you are on now and can give you tested advice, helping you work through issues the same way they did.
- Native speakers can provide more fluent conversation practice, although they’re more likely to let slip-ups through (they tend to go easy). Second-language speakers tend to be more thorough and will admonish you when they notice mistakes (since, they likely know that doing so helps you improve).
- Native speakers won’t know much about practice and learning materials because they never used it. Those who learned as adults, on the other hand, will likely be able to point you towards specific resources.