The problem of non-standard utterances used byspeakers of English as a second language attertiary level

Abstract

In this paper I shall begin by explaining why non-standard utterances used by University students who are second-language speakers of English pose a problem for language teachers involved in Academic Support/Development (ASP/ADP). I shall then go on to examine the extent to which findings of researchers in the field of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) offer insights of value to language teachers faced with this problem. I shall conclude by suggesting areas for further research. Thus, I shall be focusing on one of the questions central to this conference, restated as follows: "What does linguistics offer the language teacher involved in Academic Support/Development?" I shall also be devoting some attention at the conclusion of the paper to the second question, restated as follows: "What do these language teachers require from linguistics?"