Factors that affect native English speakers’ comfort levels when communicating with non‐native English speakers

Abstract

Abstract This study explores native English speakers’ (NESs) self‐reported comfort levels when speaking with non‐native English speakers (NNESs) from different first language (L1) backgrounds and in six different communication situations. NESs ( n = 122) listened to Spanish L1 and Chinese L1 NNESs with low, mid or high levels of English proficiency and rated their comfort level interacting with them. Results indicated that higher proficiency speakers were rated significantly higher (more comfortable as interlocutors) than Mid which were in turn rated higher than Low proficiency speakers. Spanish L1 speakers were rated higher than Chinese L1 speakers except at low proficiency levels. Ratings for more casual communication situations were higher than more formal situations. Results suggest that communicative expectations may be different for Spanish and Chinese speakers.