learning english is difficult essay

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• Why Is English So Hard to Learn?

It’s often said that English is one of the hardest languages to learn. Given the fact that many of the words we use in English stem from Latin and Ancient Greek words – in common with many other European languages – what is it about English that has attracted this reputation for being so fearsomely difficult? And is it really even that difficult when so many other countries adopt it as their second language and speak it a lot more fluently than we Brits speak other languages? We’ll leave you to make your own mind up…

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It just makes no sense!

One of the reasons why English is known for being difficult is because it’s full of contradictions. There are innumerable examples of conundrums such as:

• There is no ham in hamburger.
• Neither is there any apple nor pine in pineapple.
• If teachers taught, why didn’t preachers praught?
• If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
• “Overlook” and “oversee” have opposite meanings, while “look” and “see” mean the same thing.

As native speakers, we rarely stop to think how illogical many of the things we say really are – we’re just used to them. Unless you’ve been brought up speaking English, how can you possibly begin to learn all these oddities? It’s little wonder that people trying to learn English end up feeling confused. But it gets worse.

Exceptions to rules

One of the hardest things about English is that although there are rules, there are lots of exceptions to those rules – so just when you think you’ve got to grips with a rule, something comes along to shatter what you thought you knew by contradicting it. A good example is the rule for remembering whether a word is spelt “ie” or “ei”: “I before E except after C”. Thus “believe” and “receipt”. But this is English – it’s not as simple as that. What about “science”? Or “weird”? Or “seize”? There are loads of irregular verbs, too, such as “fought”, which is the past tense of “fight”, while the past tense of “light” is “lit”. So learning English isn’t just a question of learning the rules – it’s about learning the many exceptions to the rules. The numerous exceptions make it difficult to apply existing knowledge and use the same principle with a new word, so it’s harder to make quick progress.

The order of the words

Native English-speakers intuitively know what order to put words in, but this is hard to teach to those learning the language. The difference between the right and wrong order is so subtle that it’s hard to explain beyond simply saying that it “just sounds right”. For example, we often use more than one adjective to describe a noun, but which order should they go in? We would say “an interesting little book” not “a little interesting book”. Both are technically grammatically correct, but the first “just sounds right”. It’s a bit of a nightmare for those who are trying to learn, and it may prove one nuance too much. (In fact, there is some method to this particular English madness – but it’s quite involved, and beyond the scope of this article to explain it.)

Pronunciation

As if the spelling wasn’t hard enough, English pronunciation is the cause of much confusion among those trying to learn English. Some words are very low on vowels, such as the word “strengths”, which is hard to say when you’re not accustomed to English pronunciation. What’s more, words that end in the same combination of letters aren’t necessarily pronounced in the same way. Why is “trough” pronounced “troff”, “rough” pronounced “ruff”, “bough” pronounced “bow” (to rhyme with cow) and “through” pronounced “throo”? There are silent letters at the start of words, too. Why are there so many words that begin with a silent “K”, such as “knife”? Or even a silent “G”, such as “gnome”? If it’s not pronounced, what’s the point of including that letter in the first place, if it only adds to the confusion of both native speakers and learners? And don’t get us started on the number of hapless tourists who don’t know where to begin with pronouncing a town name such as “Worcester”. Sadly, many English learners have to learn the hard way when it comes to our confusing pronunciation; if you pronounce something incorrectly, most Brits will demonstrate the correct way to you – but not without a little chuckle at your expense.

To make matters even more complex, the way in which you emphasise certain words in a sentence can subtly change its meaning. For example, consider the different ways of emphasising the sentence below: – I sent him a letter – a plain statement. – I sent him a letter – used to imply that you sent him the letter – someone else didn’t send it (or “you didn’t send it, I did”). – I sent him a letter – this could imply “I sent him a letter, but I’m not sure he received it”. – I sent him a letter – used to imply that you sent him the letter – you didn’t send it to someone else (perhaps even “you weren’t meant to read it”). – I sent him a letter – you sent him a letter , not anything else. When you’re not used to speaking English, these may all sound the same to you. It’s only by constantly being exposed to English that you start to pick up on these subtleties.

Confused yet? If not, you will be after this next point. English is absolutely full of homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings or spellings. We’ve already dedicated an article to homophones, but if you don’t have time to read that, here are a few examples…

• A bandage is wound around a wound (“wound”, pronounced “wowned” is the past tense of “wind”, as well as an injury when pronounced “woond”).
• The door was too close to the table to close (the first “close” is pronounced with a soft “S” and means “near”, while the second is pronounced with a hard “S” and means “shut”).
• I decided to desert my dessert in the desert (the first “desert” means “abandon” and has the emphasis placed on the second syllable; “dessert” is pronounced the same but means a pudding; and the second “desert” means the dry, sandy environment with camels, and is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable).

Homophones exist in the English language that has no fewer than seven different meanings – namely words that sound like ‘course’ and ‘raise’. Most have only two or three meanings – such as “there”, “their” and “they’re” – but that’s still enough to add an extra level or two of complexity for those trying to master the English language.

Synonyms aren’t necessarily interchangeable

Flick through a thesaurus and you’ll see countless groups of words that supposedly mean the same thing. You’d think that this would mean that they were interchangeable – but you’d be wrong. Even words whose definitions are seemingly in the same ballpark differ subtly – or apply to something completely different, because English words can have multiple meanings. You can’t always swap words with the same meaning, and this means that it’s easy to end up using a word in completely the wrong way. For example, you “watch” television, and you can either “watch a film” or “see a film” – but you don’t “see television”. But you’re not a “watcher” when you’re doing this – you’re a “viewer”, even though you don’t “view television” or “view a movie”. To take another example, I could talk about a swan’s elegant neck, but I couldn’t swap the word “elegant” for the word “classic” or “chic” (both suggestions I found in the thesaurus when I looked up “elegant”) because these are words that apply to fashion, not birds! If you were learning English, though, you wouldn’t necessarily know that.

English is a very old language, and over the course of many centuries, interesting sayings have been incorporated into everyday language that make little sense if you haven’t grown up with them. “Barking up the wrong tree”, “the straw that broke the camel’s back” and “raining cats and dogs” are all examples of idioms that add colour to the English language. If you find yourself starting to use idioms when you speak English, well done: you’ve mastered it!

Traces of archaic English

Though English does ‘move with the times’, there are still plenty of archaic words floating around that you may well encounter (and they may not be in your English dictionary). “Alas” (an expression of grief or pity) is one of the more common ones, but language of the sort traditionally used in the Bible is also still commonly understood, such as “Thou shalt not kill” in the Ten Commandments. This means “You will not kill” in modern lingo, but the Ten Commandments usually retain this old language. Old-fashioned words such as “apothecary” (someone who prepares medicine ) and “shilling” (an old form of English currency) will crop up in historical dramas that you watch on television. You’ll also see old literary and poetic references cropping up in popular culture, such as Shakespeare’s “To be or not to be” or Burns’ “My love is like a red, red rose”.

Regional dialects

We’d imagine that all languages have regional dialects, but when you add the bizarre pronunciations and unique additional vocabularies of the UK’s many regional dialects, they don’t exactly help the poor folk trying to learn English. It’s bad enough for us southerners to understand people from Glasgow, or even for people from Edinburgh to understand people from Glasgow. There’s a broad north/south divide in the pronunciation of certain words, a good example being “bath”, which is pronounced with a short “A” by those “up north” and a long “A” (“barth”) by those “down south”. Of course, every English-speaking country also has its own way of speaking the language; the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all have their own distinctive way of pronouncing words. Which you end up using when your native language isn’t English probably depends on whereabouts your English teacher is from, or whereabouts in the country you’re learning.

Is it really the hardest language?

As we’ve seen, then, English is pretty challenging. But it’s not the only contender for the World’s Most Difficult Language. Other notoriously tricky languages include Finnish, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin. Mandarin’s tone system, for instance, is famously tricky (but when you look at the ‘Emphasis’ section above, you’ll see that English can be just as bad!). Finnish is held to be difficult because of its numerous cases; Arabic because, among other things, its script has four different variations for each letter depending on where in the word it sits. Written Japanese differs from spoken Japanese, and there are three different writing systems – including 2,000 to 3,000 kanji characters that must be learned by heart. It makes English sound easy in comparison!

Ultimately, though, it’s down to the individual whether or not a particular language is difficult to learn. Some people have a natural aptitude for languages and pick them up quickly; children, of course, absorb new languages much more easily than adults. The difficulty of a language also depends on its similarity to your own language. You’ll probably find it easier to pick up French if you’re Italian, because these languages use many of the same roots, and the same alphabet. If you’re used to the Roman alphabet then you may struggle to learn oriental languages that rely on symbols, such as Japanese. English isn’t so bad once you get used to it, and it’s probably only commonly talked about as being hard because so many people are trying to learn it.

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Why Is English Hard To Learn? 11 Reasons

• March 30, 2021

Is English Hard To Learn? So, you’ve decided to study English. But, for some reason, when you will use what you’ve learned, it seems not to work that way in real life.

Don’t worry; you’re not the only one who feels this way. English is a hard language to learn. It is not, though, impossible!

In reality, how difficult it is to learn depends on your native language. This is because languages are more (or less) related.

Many of the words we use in English developed from Latin and Ancient Greek words. But, is English hard to learn? We’ll let you make your view!

The English language considers among the most challenging languages to learn. We’ll look at some of the common reasons why people find it hard to learn English.

1. Families of Languages:

Today, the world’s speaking languages number is about 6,000. The scientific discipline tends to think of languages as families. They have developed from one another and form specific family trees.

Since English is a member of the Germanic family of languages, it would be easier to learn if your native language is similar to Dutch or German.

However, learning English would be difficult if you speak the Japanese language. Which has little in common with either the Romance or Germanic languages . And thus sounds and looks very different. You can find it easier to learn English if your native language is close to it.

2. Some Things Are Nonsensical:

The English language is often full of inconsistencies and illogical statements. Many words, for example, seem confusing to non-native speakers.

For example, what does pineapple have to do with the words “pine” and “apple”?

There are also cases where nouns become verbs. Teachers, for example, taught while preachers preached. It’s difficult enough to clarify to native English speakers.

So imagine how difficult it is for English learners to understand these inconsistencies.

3. Why Is English Hard To Learn? Rules and Exceptions:

The English language, like any other, is rife with rules. Whether they’re grammatical or use it to assist in spelling. There are many of them. And there are many ways for them to get changed, refuted, or proved wrong.

For example, English students learned to say “I” before “E” except after “C.”

When it comes to most English words, such as “friend” and “believe,” this rule stands true. There are, however, exceptions, such as “science” and “weirdness.”

When it comes to sentence order, there are several confusing rules to understand. Native speakers have an intuitive knowledge of how to order those words because they sound right.

Getting used to all complexities and exceptions to the rules. It can be a nightmare for people who are trying to learn the language. Rules don’t always work. Especially when using established knowledge to apply the same rule to a new word.

4. Writing Rules:

Even native English speakers make mistakes, especially when it comes to punctuation rules. It’s the stylistic side of writing that gives them the most trouble.

Whether it’s the fast Oxford Comma of today or how to use hyphens in compound nouns. There’s always something new to learn. This field of English requires the most focus of all the language skills.

The strange case of the English pronoun “I” is also worth mentioning. When we look at all other English pronouns, we can see that “I” is the only one written in capital letters, regardless of its form.

5. Why Is English Hard To Learn? Words Order:

You can immediately detect the word order if you speak English fluently. Another difficulty for students in distinguishing between right and incorrect orders.

It’s not clear why the words are set in such a way that they sound right. You may say “an interesting small cup,” but “a small interesting cup” does not sound right.

While it is grammatically correct, the way it sounds distinguishes how it may deliver. Native speakers, for example, have an intuitive grasp of the language’s complexities.

6. English Has a Mixed Vocabulary:

When it comes to specifics, 26 percent of English vocabulary is Germanic in origin. Nearly 30 percent is French, and 30 percent in Latin in origin.

As a result, French speakers are likely to have an easier time learning English. Because they are familiar with much of the vocabulary. The same is true for German and Dutch speakers.

It’s easier to learn a language if we have a jump start. Because our primary language is more similar to the language we are attempting to learn.

7. Perplexing Spelling:

English is fundamentally hard to learn in specific ways. One explanation is that English has a perplexing spelling scheme. Even native speakers find it perplexing.

For example, the words’ dough,’ ‘tough,’ and ‘bough’ all have the exact spelling but are pronounced differently.

This ‘-ough’ spelling is a relic from Middle English , Chaucer’s country. Where the spelling reflected the pronunciation.

Many of those pronunciations have changed over time. But the spelling remained constant. Like the ‘ch’ sound in the Scottish word ‘loch,’ it is no longer used in British English pronunciation.

8. Why Is English Hard To Learn? Confusing Idioms:

Idioms are another tricky topic to learn. Every language contains idioms. They aren’t meant to take literally.

For example, the phrase “she kicked the bucket” means “she died.” All you need to know is the meaning of the whole unit.

‘She jumped down my throat,’ or ‘He hit the roof,’ are two other examples. The literal sense is not the exact wording. Also, Idioms include words like ‘all of a sudden,’ which a language learner does not understand.

In English, there are tens of thousands of these. Idioms exist in all languages. The length, variety, and unpredictability of English idioms characterize them. Idioms in English are tricky for non-native speakers to grasp.

9. It’s Difficult to Use Plurals and Tenses:

Since there are so many tenses to note. It can be difficult for an English learner to differentiate between future tense and future perfect.

It is difficult to learn not only when memorizing grammar rules in the text. But also when having an English conversation in which the speaker refers to the future.

Furthermore, when it comes to the use of plurals in English, there are several variations. When it comes to words like mouse and ox, where a non-native speaker learns to add -s to form a plural, this is wrong.

10. Synonyms Aren’t Always Synonymous:

If you look at a thesaurus, you’ll find several groups of words that generally mean the same thing. You’d think this meant they might be interchangeably used, but you’d be wrong.

Since English words may have various meanings. Even terms with very similar definitions can refer to something entirely different.

People can end up misusing a word as a result of this. You would “see a film” or “watch television,” but you would never “see a television.” Another example is when you say, “I received a gift,” you don’t say, “I welcomed a gift.”

Even if the two words are similar depending on the background, the context may be entirely different.

11. Different Dialects:

We assume that all languages have regional dialects. Because of the many regional dialects in the U.K, people find it difficult to learn English.

When pronouncing “bath” or “castle,” there is a distinct north/south distinction. In the south, it’s a long “A,” while in the north, it’s a short “A.” And there is a never-ending debate on how to pronounce ‘scone’ correctly (S-gone or S-cone?).

Of course, each English-speaking nation has its distinct way of pronouncing words. The U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa each have their specific way of pronouncing words. This means that where you study English has a massive effect on the pronunciation you use.

Is English Really That Hard To Learn?

Although English indeed is a complex language to learn. The same case is with other languages such as Mandarin , Russian, or Japanese.

English is one of the most popular languages globally, spoken by over 1.5 billion people to some point. And your dedication to studying all its complexities and differences will open many doors for you in the future.

Several factors make learning English hard and perplexing. It is difficult to learn its grammar structure, pronunciation, definitions, and rules. But bear in mind that the situation is similar for English speakers learning a foreign language.

What matters is your ability and commitment to learning the fundamental rules. Learning English was never more straightforward or more accessible than it is today. Finally, whether a language is challenging to learn depends on the person.

It’s easier to learn English if you don’t care about the rules. Concentrate on reading and listening to native language content. The higher your language learning targets are, the more difficult it would be to learn English. It’s as simple as that.

Conclusion:

Hundreds of millions of people learn English around the world. And make English the third most studied native language. And many of them enroll in an English-speaking course as adults or as children.

The English language is widely regarded as one of the most difficult to master. Because of its unpredictable spelling and challenging to learn grammar, it is challenging for both learners and native speakers.

Learning a new language is difficult in any case since so much depends on your original language and its similarity to your target language. It isn’t impossible just because it is challenging.

Best of luck with your learning!

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You’re not alone if you’re having trouble learning English. The Language Doctors are on hand to assist you if you’re looking to advance your English skills.

Please get in touch with us to make learning and studying English a lot easier for you.

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Why English Is Such a Difficult Language to Learn

Reasons that second language learners find english tough to master..

Posted February 5, 2017 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

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I am often asked why English is such a difficult to learn for non-native speakers. In fact, how hard it is to learn depends on what your native language is; and this follows as languages are more (or less) closely related to one another; if your mother tongue is more similar, in terms of sounds, vocabulary and grammatical patterns to another—for instance, you're a speaker of Dutch or German—then English will be easier to learn. But if you speak a language that comes from a more distantly related tongue—say Japanese—then English is more likely to prove a tougher nut to crack.

Language families There are around 6,000 spoken languages in the world today, and some are more distantly related to each other than others. In the discipline that studies language from a scientific perspective—linguistics—we tend to think about languages as families, having evolved from each other, and forming particular family trees. In addition, users of a language (people) move around through migration patterns, which affects the development of languages over time. Moreover, new concepts and artefacts are constantly being invented, so we need new words for them. So languages are constantly evolving; but we can trace them back to a particular family tree.

For instance, Latin eventually led to modern-day Romanian. It’s the closest surviving language to Latin, and the closest language we have today to that spoken in the Roman Empire. Other daughter languages of Latin include French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. English is part of the Germanic family of languages, so Dutch or German speakers are likely to find it easier to learn than speakers of, for instance, Japanese, which is unrelated to either the Romance or Germanic languages, and hence, sounds and looks very different indeed.

The mongrel vocabulary of English In terms of specifics, if you look at the vocabulary of English, 26% of English is Germanic in origin, nearly 30% is French in origin, and nearly 30% Latin in origin. So this means French speakers are likely to have a comparatively easier time learning English, because they recognise a lot of the vocabulary. Similarly with German and Dutch speakers. If we already have a head start, because our native tongue is more similar, or more closely-related to the language we are attempting to learn, that makes learning it a bit easier.

Baffling spelling But despite all this, in certain respects, English is, nevertheless, inherently difficult to learn. One reason is that English has a baffling spelling system , even for native speakers, or kids going to school. Take words like ‘dough’, ‘tough’ and ‘bough’—they all have the same spelling, but are pronounced completely differently. This spelling, using ‘-ough,’ is actually a relic from Middle English —Chaucer’s world—where the spelling reflected the Middle English pronunciation. Many of those pronunciations have disappeared over the years, but the spelling remains, for example the ‘ch’ sound in the Scottish word ‘loch’ no longer exists in standard British English pronunciation. So it’s hard for non-native speakers to get to grips with the downright baffling spelling system of English.

Baffling grammar Another reason is that English has a peculiarity: the phenomenon of phrasal verbs—a verb whose meaning is changed by a small word added to it. Take ‘run’ for example. We can ‘run over’ someone, have a ‘run in,' we can ‘run something down,’ or ‘run up a bill,' or even ‘run something by someone.’ On each occasion, when you add a word like ‘in’ or ‘over’, you’re changing the meaning—and it often seems to be with no rhyme or reason. Why do we ‘add up’ a bill, but a house gets ‘burned down’? So these prepositions change the meanings of verbs. For Spanish and French speakers, for example, who don’t have this in their language, it can be very difficult to understand—and to learn.

Another tricky phenomenon to learn is idioms . An idiom involves a number of words whose meaning can’t be predicted from simply adding together the meanings of the individual elements themselves. For example, ‘she kicked the bucket’, means ‘she died’—you just have to know the meaning of the whole unit. Other examples include, ‘She jumped down my throat,’ or ‘He hit the roof.’ The literal meaning is not what’s actually meant. Even things like ‘all of a sudden’ count as an idiom – someone learning the language couldn’t predict what this expression might mean. And there are tens of thousands of these in English. All languages have idioms , but the range, variety and unpredictability of English idioms are difficult for foreign language learners to acquire.

The final phenomenon that makes English so difficult to learn is grammatical patterns—English has a number of unusual grammatical patterns and sentence-level patterns. One example is the so-called ditransitive construction, e.g., ‘John gave Mary the flowers.’ To understand what’s been given, who is the recipient, and who does the giving, you have to know the grammatical construction. This becomes clear from examples that are less obvious from the pragmatics of the setting, such as the story world of Narnia, where animals can talk, e.g. ‘The King gave the horse a boy’, from C.S. Lewis’ children’s classic: The Horse and His Boy . Imagine a non-native speaker having to work out that it is the horse that gets the boy, rather than vice versa. What makes this all difficult, for some non-native speakers, is that, unlike many other languages, English no longer has much of a case system where speakers can clearly mark who’s the recipient and what’s getting transferred. This has been lost during the development of English over the last 1,500 years.

(Based on an article originally published in The Question .)

Vyvyan Evans, Ph.D. , is a language and communication consultant. He received his Ph.D. from Georgetown University.

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5 biggest challenges of learning English

by Kate Wilson

The English language is one of the most popular languages to learn , perhaps the most spoken language around the world is English, and many people choose to learn the language simply to place them in a better position to secure work, or communicate more effectively with more people from around the globe. English might be a popular language to learn, but this doesn't necessarily mean it is a simple language to master, there are many challenges people face when learning English and if you are aware of these beforehand you stand a much greater chance of mastering the language. Keep in mind as you're learning the language, there are certified language translation services available to you for translating important information that you're not yet ready to translate yourself.

Here are 5 of the biggest challenges people must face when learning to speak and write English:

English Grammar is complex, making it difficult to remember, master and use logically. Ensuring you use the correct grammar can be tricky, especially when you are in conversation with someone and they are speaking at an alarmingly fast pace. Learning grammar is like learning to drive, you can learn all of the theory, rules and regulations, but you won't be good at it unless you practice it and it starts to become second nature to you. Grammar is extremely important, incorrect use of grammar can confuse the person you are speaking to and even change the meaning of what you are communicating, what's more is native English speakers are hyper aware of grammar and will notice almost immediately if a grammatical error is made, even if this is the smallest of errors, English speakers are incredibly proud of the language and look negatively on it being used incorrectly.

[Note from Simon Ager, author of Omniglot: some native speakers of English might be very aware of grammar and will notice even the smallest mistakes. They are known as pedants, and are best avoided by English learners. If you are taking an exam or using English in another formal situation, try to avoid mistakes, if possible, but in informal situations this is not so important.]

2. Vocabulary

Is often a challenge, particularly when it comes to verb variations and understanding which tense should be used in various situations. English has one of the biggest vocabularies of all languages, and it can be very confusing for non-English speakers to master. Using vocabulary inaccurately is incredibly noticeable to anyone who's first language is English, though it doesn't often change the meaning of your text, it does weaken it.

3. Slang and colloquialism

With the English language having such an extensive vocabulary and complicated grammar, there is enough to teach students wanting to learn English, rarely are students exposed to the slang words used by English speakers in every day conversation. Sentences can be predominantly filled with slang words, so maintaining a conversation can be difficult for anyone who doesn't understand what they mean.

4. Pronunciation

Knowing how to pronounce words in English can be very difficult as it isn't always obvious. English speakers have been taught these from an early age, which is how they know not to pronounce the ‘k' on ‘knight' , they are taught the subtleties in how to pronounce something to communicate the right message. Furthermore, depending on the first language of the English student, it can often be difficult to pronounce certain words properly, having not ever had to create that phonetic sound before.

5. Variations in English

The variations in the different forms of English can often be difficult to understand. For example, the difference between using formal and informal language or the differences between spoken and written language. This leads to students writing words phonetically, i.e. how they would say it rather than how its actually spelt, and using informal language, maybe even slang that they have picked up, in formal situations which may perhaps be viewed negatively.

Good luck in learning one of the most difficult languages in the world today…remember practice is the key.

Kate Wilson is a freelance writer, currently she works with Translation Services 24 . She loves to travel and learn about different cultures and new languages.

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Published on November 2, 2021 by English Proficiency Editorial Team

19 Reasons Why English Is The Hardest Language To Learn

English is the world’s most commonly spoken language and also the language that’s learned by most people (1.5 Billion). However, for some, learning English can be particularly challenging. It can be challenging to get started and even harder to keep up. 

But why is English the hardest language to learn? Is it because it is a very complex language? Is it because of the vast number of dialects? Is it because of the many pronunciations and accents? 

The truth is, there are many reasons why English Is the hardest language to learn. And, as you will see, they are all related to one another. In this article, you will find out what these reasons are, and you will also find out how to overcome them.

4 Factors that Contribute to Difficulties in Learning the English Language

19 reasons why english is the hardest language to learn.

As you know, the English language is very diverse. The rules of the language are not the same everywhere. And even in the same place, there are many different accents and pronunciations. It is not easy to understand someone who speaks in another way from you.

For example, let’s say that you are a native speaker of English. You might think that you know all the rules of the language. But as you learn more, you find out that you are wrong. The truth is that you have only a tiny part of the rules of the language. 

Or, let’s say that you are an American student on a trip to the UK. You might think that you will understand everyone, but you will be surprised that some people speak differently from you. And, of course, they will appreciate you differently.

Many factors contribute to the difficulties of learning English. These factors include your native language, your exposure to the English language, the consistency or inconsistency of how you speak and learn, the methods you use to understand, your cultural background, and so on. 

These factors can be related to each other, and they can also be different from one another. To better understand why English is the hardest language to learn, let’s look at these factors in more detail.

1. Your Native Language

It is said that the most crucial factor in learning a language is your native language. For example, if you speak French, it can be challenging for you to learn English because the rules of the French language are different from those of English. The same goes for other languages like Spanish, Italian, or any other language.

Your native language is the one that you use every day. It is the language that you use to communicate with other people around you. You are constantly exposed to it, and you are continually learning it. Your native language is also the one that you think in, and it is the one you can use to express yourself. 

Now, when you are learning English, you are learning a different language. Your brain must understand the rules of the English language, and it must get used to the new language to be able to use them to express yourself. But your brain is used to the rules of your native language, and it is not easy to change that. It means that it is very difficult for you to learn English.

2. Less Exposure to the English Language

Another that contributes to the difficulties of learning English is your exposure to the English language. The more you have heard and spoken English, the easier it will be to learn it. 

For example, if you have lived in the United States for a long time, you will slowly, surely learn the accent and pronunciation of American English. And if you have lived in England for a long time, you will also learn the accent and pronunciation of British English . 

But if you have only lived in the United States for a short time, you will not have much exposure to American English , and vice versa. Even if you have some exposure to both dialects, you may still find it difficult to understand their differences.

Less exposure to the English language also means that you will not have many opportunities to practice and learn the English language. If you do not use the English language often, you will not remember all the language rules as fast as you use them every day. 

The same goes for pronunciations and accents. If you do not use, hear, and expose yourself to the English language often, it will be a slow and difficult process to learn all the necessary rules and variations of the language.

2. Inconsistency in Learning 

Consistency is the key to learning a language. Just like how you need to be consistent in learning and doing anything, you also need to learn English. Making a habit of learning the English language is very important. It is essential if you want to learn it quickly. If you don’t, you will have to spend a lot of time repeating things over and over again.

The problem is that most people do not have the same learning habits. They can be very inconsistent in learning, making it difficult for your brain to get the exposure to learn the language. And the more inconsistent you are, the harder it will be for you to learn.

Having a scheduled time to learn and a goal to achieve is a great way to ensure that you don’t forget about learning. Consistency and motivation are the two most important factors that contribute to the success of learning a language. 

For example, when you listen to an English song repeatedly, you will eventually remember the lyrics. But if you listen to another song and play it often, you will probably forget the lyrics of the first song and remember the lyrics of the second song instead. 

The same thing happens when you are consistent in learning a language. Even if you learn another language, you will still be able to remember English if you are consistent and make a habit of learning it.

4. Your Method Used in Learning English

It is not enough to learn the English language by listening to English lessons, exposing your brain to English words, and repeating them over and over again. 

The truth is, you might be getting used to the English language, but you don’t understand why some words are different from others or why some people use different words for the same thing. You might understand how the words are pronounced, but you don’t know why they are that way.

Your method of learning English may also affect your understanding and how fast you learn. 

For example, if you are using an English grammar book to learn English but are not practicing the grammar rules, it will be difficult to master them. 

Or, when you are watching a video lesson on YouTube, you feel like you are still in the beginner stage no matter how many times you watch the video. Then maybe you need to change your learning method, go out and practice, and meet new people who are also learning English.

People learn in different ways. Some people like to practice, while others prefer to watch videos and listen to audio lessons. It would be best if you found out what method works best for you and then used it.

Except for a few European countries, English is the most spoken language in the world. The US alone has over 250 million nati ve speakers , while the UK has over 50 million . So, plenty of people speak English, which means plenty of people trying to learn it.

Some people think that it is challenging to learn English, and that is not unreasonable. After all, it is a very complex language. But how hard is it? And why is it so hard? 

Let’s take a look at 19 reasons why English is the hardest language to learn.

1. Mixed Origins of the Language

It is hard to pin down precisely what the English language is. The language has evolved, and many different cultures have influenced it. 

For example, English contains many words from French, German, Latin, and many other languages. English is derived from Old English, including the language of the Anglo-Saxons. 

Old English has its roots in Old Norse, Latin, and French. The Norman invasion of England also influenced the English and French languages in 1066.

It was during this time that many words were introduced from French and Latin. Some of the words in English are still related to French. 

Some of the words from French include château , cuisine , and avant-garde .

These words have been around for a long time, and they have been influencing English ever since. These words are now part of the English language, written in the English language dictionary, and they are so ingrained in the language that they are hard to change.

With the mixed origins of the language, English is full of words that are related to other languages. It means that the language is a mix of many different worlds and cultures, making it hard to learn. 

This is because English is very broad in its meaning, and the meaning of many words in English can be influenced by the speaker’s culture or the origin of the word itself.

There are approximately 171,146 words in the English language, spoken by more than 1.30 billion people worldwide. With the spread of English, it became even more diverse, and there are even more words related to other languages and cultures.

2. Different Cultural Influences

As you know, English is a very diverse language, and many different cultures have influenced it.

 For example, the word “brunette” comes from the French word for “brown” , and so there are many words that come from French. The word “bureau” comes from the French word for “desk” , and so there are many words that come from French.

Another example is the word “blitz” , which means “lightning” . This word comes from the German word for “lightning” , which references the Blitzkrieg, ground lightning strikes during World War II . 

So, the fact that so many different cultures influenced English in the past — means that many words come from many other languages.

3. Archaic English is Still Present

English is an ancient language, and it has evolved a lot over the years. And Archaic English, which is what people used to say, is still present in English today. They are words that have been used for a long time, and sometimes they are very difficult to understand because the meaning has changed over time or even because the word is not in everyday use anymore. 

Some words may also have simple meanings but are considered old-fashioned or “archaic” because they are out of fashion. Not many people use them anymore, and so they may be unfamiliar for some people.

Some of these words include “damsel” , which means a girl who is in distress, or “thither” , which literally means “there” . 

Another tricky word is “fruit” , which, if you think about it today, means “ a thing that is grown on a tree” , but as an archaic word, it means “offspring” or “children” .

4. Different Dialects are Available

In addition to the many different cultures that have influenced English, there are also many different dialects. There are about 160 different dialects of English! That means that there are a lot of different ways to speak English. So, it can be complicated to learn all of these different accents and pronunciations.

For example, the American dialect is not particularly difficult to understand if you live in America. There is also the British dialect, which is quite distinct from American English. Then there are other dialects like Scottish and Irish English that can be difficult to understand if you don’t live in these areas.

Simple words like “ water ” are pronounced differently in different dialects. It may sound clear and simple to say “ water ” in the American dialect, but it may sound thick and heavy in the British dialect. Or the “ h ” in the word “ hello ” may be silent in the Brit dialect but pronounced clear in the American dialect. Southern American people may also say “ howdy ” instead of “ hello “.

It is why it can be tough to learn English if you are learning from scratch. You can’t get used to these different accents and dialects the same way you can get used to your dialect. It can be challenging to learn if you don’t live in an area where a particular dialect is spoken.

5. Nonsense Everyday English Words

In English, many words are entirely made up. These are called “nonsense words”, and they can be a huge source of confusion for non-native English speakers.

These pseudo-words include “ Jabberwocky” , which is based on Lewis Carroll’s mythical creature that talks like a bird and has a big mouth, “scribble scrabble” , which is a nonsense word for scribble or writing and drawing, and “ bazinga “, which is often used as a way to express surprise.

These nonsense words are sometimes also used to make fun of someone, express sarcasm, or be used as expressive words.

While many of these words are not listed in dictionaries, many natives use them in casual conversation.

6. Mixed Vocabulary

Mixed vocabulary means that words are based on two or more base words combined to create a new word. 

For example, “ chortle “, a word for laughing, is made up of the words “ chuckle ” and “ snort “. 

Another example is “ brunch “, which is made up of the words “ breakfast ” and “ lunch “, or “ spork ” which is made up of the words “ spoon ” and “ fork “. They are words that are made up of multiple base words.

7. Inconsistencies and Illogical Statements

Another reason why English is so hard to learn is that it is inconsistent and illogical. Sentences and phrases don’t always make sense, and this cannot be very clear. 

For example, “ There are no stupid questions apart from those that aren’t asked, ” “ There is no reason to cry, but you might be my reason for crying,” and “It is the job of the customer to tell you what they want.”  

The first and second sentences are illogical since they talk about no questions and no reasons, but then they talk about some exceptions. The last sentence is confusing because it talks about the customer is the one to order, but the customers also have a job to tell the waiter what they want.

8. Full of Rules and Exceptions

English is complex, with many rules and exceptions. This is especially true when it comes to grammar. For example, there are many exceptions to the rule that if you use a word in the past tense, you should use “ ed ” instead of “ d ” at the end of the word. There are also many exceptions to the rule that if you use a word in the present tense, you should use “ s ” at the end of the verb if it’s singular.

For example, “ She sells flowers ” is different from “ I sell flowers ” in terms of verbs, although the two sentences are grammatically correct and they are both present tense. Or “ She is selling flowers ” is different from “ They are selling flowers” in terms of verbs because the first one is present tense and the second one is a continuous tense. 

Another example would be “ I have a cat” and “ I have two cats “, which are different in terms of plural and singular nouns.

9. Various Pronunciation

There are many sounds that are hard to pronounce, and there are many different pronunciations in different countries.

For example, the words “ rural “, “ Otorhinolaryngologist” , and “ anemone ” might be hard to pronounce for some people. 

Words like “ park “, “ horse “, or “ further ” are also pronounced differently in British English and American English because of the different vowel pronunciations.

10. Numerous Idioms

Idioms are phrases that are unique to a particular culture. For example, “Hang in there ” is an idiom that means “to persevere “. This phrase has been around for a long time, and it is common in the US. 

But the phrase “ give someone a good kicking ” is an example of an idiom unique to Australia. This phrase means making someone feel excited, which is different from kicking someone as in inflicting pain. Another example would be “a piece of cake ” which means “something that is easy “.

11. Confusing Rules in Spelling

When you learn a language, you need to learn the rules of spelling. However, English spelling is quite confusing.

For example, the letter “g” can be spelled “ gh “, “ j “, or “ g “.

The letter “ c ” can be spelled “ s “, “ z” , or “ k “. The letter “ q ” is almost always followed by an “ u ” as in “ queue “, “ quarantine “, and “ quarterback “.

These are just a few examples of the many confusing rules in English spelling.

12. Full of Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings.

For example, “ new ” and “ knew ” are homophones. “ Caret ” and “ carrot “, as well as “ flower ” and “ flour ” are also homophones.

English is full of homophones, and they can be very confusing. Homophones can be a real challenge for many learners.

13. Stressing Certain Words & Different Intonations

When you speak English, you have to use different tones in your voice. It is because there are words that can be stressed to make them more critical. 

For example, in English, you would say “ the moon ” and stress the word “ moon ” because it is the noun you are talking about, or you would stress “ green ” in “ greenhouse ” and “ flow ” in “ overflow “.

There are many different ways to emphasize words in English, and the rules can be pretty confusing.

14. Complicated Tenses of Words

Tenses are a part of English grammar that is very complicated. When you can add “ yesterday ” or “ tomorrow ” to indicate when something happened in some languages, you have to use tenses in English. 

For example, “ I went to the cinema ” and “ I am going to the cinema ” are two different tenses, one for the past and one for the future.

Another example would be “ She looks at me ” and “ She was looking at me ” as well as “ my class has started ” and “ my class will start “.

15 . Tricky Synonyms

Synonyms can be tricky because many words are used to describe the same thing.

For example, “ loud ” and “ earsplitting ” are both synonyms for sounds that are very loud. “ Beautiful ” and “ gorgeous ” are both synonyms for looks that are very pleasing, and “ gentle ” and “ delicate ” are both synonyms for something very soft.

16. Complex Logical Order of Words

When you look at the English language, you see that it is written logically. The order of words is often based on what is happening in the sentence.

For example, if you say “I want to buy a house “, the order of words would be subject, verb, object. 

However, there are also other types of sentences that do not follow this pattern.

For example, “ I am learning Spanish ” consists of the subject, auxiliary verb, verb+ing, object. Another example is the phrase “ walking in the rain ” which consists of the verb (in this case, it is gerund), preposition , and the explanation of the preposition.

17. Vague Language Formality

Formality is a huge part of any language, and this is especially true of English. You can say a few very simple things in English, but it can be considered rude or uncommon to speak in a way that is not formal. 

For example, the word “lots of” is an informal way of saying “ many “, the word “ totally ” is an informal way of saying “completely” , and the word “ anyways ” is a casual way of saying “ nevertheless “.

18. Translating Word by Word is Not Good

To learn a language, you have to be able to read and write it. But when you are translating English into other languages, you can’t just translate word by word. Instead, you have to be able to translate whole sentences. Sometimes, translating word by word can lead to extraordinary results or misinterpretations.

For example, if you translate the sentence “city of stars” , it means a city full of stars. But it can also be a colloquial term used to describe Brisbane, California.

Another example is the sentence “the virus has been uploaded” . 

In this case, the word “virus” can mean a software application or a computer virus instead of a plague. Or, the sentence “salt and pepper” , can refer to the kitchen spice or a term to describe two colors intermingled to form a mixture.

19. Inflection Changes Words Meaning

Inflection is the process of changing the form of a word or adding suffixes to a word. It means that you have to know the meaning of the word and know how to change the form of the word. 

For example, the word “himself” refers to the possessive form of the word “him” .

Or the word “smartest ” means “most intelligent” and “smart” literally means clever, as well as “flower glass” refers to a glass that is used to grow flowers.

Final Thoughts

Learning English can be challenging, and there are many reasons why it is so hard, including cultural influences, inflection, word stress, grammar, different pronunciation, and many other things. But it is important to remember that it is not impossible to learn English and do it if you want to. 

Exposing yourself to different people and different situations will help you learn. Getting used to the sounds of English, learning the vocabulary, and understanding words are all good ways to learn. So, don’t be discouraged by all the difficulties you face, but instead, focus on learning consistently and persistently. Good luck!

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StoryLearning

Learn A Language Through Stories

10 Reasons Why English Is A Really Hard Language

Wondering why English is hard to learn?

And if you grew up speaking it…you’'re really lucky you don’t have to learn it from scratch

I bet I can give you a whole list of reasons that you’ve never even thought of why English is hard to learn.

And by the time I'm done, native speakers, you’re going to thank your lucky stars that your mum taught you English!

With some languages, once you know the rules you can use a bit of logic to figure things out on the fly.

But English? Well, the rules don’t always make sense…

Keep scrolling to read this post as an article or hit play on the video above to watch the video version to find out why English is hard to learn.

By the way, even if English is the global language , if you only speak English, you miss out on a lot of opportunities for connection.

If you want to learn a new language fast, though stories, not rules, check out my courses which teach you through StoryLearning®.  Find out more and claim you free 7-day trial of the method .

#1 Crazy English Pronunciation

Read aloud this letter – Q

Now read out this word – “queue”

So what’s with all these letters at the end…?

Oh… and the word “cue”.

You could forgive a student for asking why we tack on 4 vowels that make absolutely no difference to the sound!

Of course, this word is borrowed from French…but in French it doesn’t even mean “queue”, it means “tail”.

Now, depending on what language you’re starting with, English pronunciation can be a bit of a nightmare to get your mouth around.

Take the simple ‘th’ sound.

Unless you are Spanish, Greek, Arabic, Swahili or Icelandic, you will probably have trouble with this one… 

To be fair, ‘th’ is a pretty rare sound out there!

Only about 7,5% of the world’s languages have ‘th’ sounds. And it doesn’t help that it has two pronunciations: think of the‘th’ in “this” vs “the”.

And then some languages don’t use ‘r’ like we do – or at all: And here we are, crying about the Spanish Rrrrrrrrrr .

#2 Unpredictable And Perplexing Spelling

Pronouncing words as they’re written? Pft! 

English gives you weird spelling rules, and then breaks those rules.  

Like these two words:

• colonel        
• kernel          

Say them out loud. Go on.

Yep – they’re said exactly the same way. Explain that to your English student. 

But let’s be honest with each other: even native English speakers find English spelling perplexing.

Why do you think our social media is so full of grammar police? The language is just asking for it!

Now imagine you learn a language really well in one country,  then you fly to a different country to immerse for 6 months, only to find that the spelling rules have changed. 

For the same language.

America, UK, Australia – yeah, you know what I’m talking about. 

And to make matters worse, there’s often a humongous pronunciation gap between native speakers even within one district.

Slang can be extreme in many neighbourhoods, and travelers trying to immerse in English often have no clue what’s even going on…

And then, of course, I have to throw in the famous one:

bough – though- thought – cough – rough – through – thorough – hiccough 

One grapheme, 8 sounds?

If you were a mean English teacher, you could punish your students with a sentence like:

“The rough, dough-faced ploughman fought through the borough to the lough, hiccoughing and coughing.”

These are real language learning problems!

#3 The Same, But Opposite

English has a lot of nonsensical words like “pineapple”. Okay, you could just learn those without analysing them.

But then you get words that mean the same thing although look like they should be antonyms:

• Flammable    
• Inflammable

Really – whose bright idea was this?

Same goes for “famous” and “infamous”. Not opposites! 

They both mean that someone is well-known, but in different ways.

English prefixes certainly don’t have simple rules that you can just learn and apply to new vocabulary.

How about those same-but-opposite verbs?

• “To dust” means to remove dust from something.
• “To dust” means to sprinkle dust on something.

Speaking of verbs, nouns can become verbs and still make sense, somehow – at least to native speakers…

• “Stop horsing around! I’m trying to dialogue with my sister.”

Verbing is NOT a concept easily taught to learners of English – it’s all about context… and lots of time hanging out with native speakers! 

Next up, read this sentence and guess the meaning:

• “I never said he stole my horse. ”

Think it’s obvious what it means and I’m messing with you? 

Think again…it all depends which word in the sentence you emphasise!

• I never said he stole my horse.    (Someone else said it) 
• I never said he stole my horse.    (I didn't say that) 
• I never said he stole my horse.    (I just implied it) 
• I never said he stole my horse.    (I just said someone did)
• I never said he stole my horse.    (I considered it borrowed)
• I never said he stole my horse.    (It could have been someone else’s horse)
• I never said he stole my horse .    (He stole something else of mine though)

Oh English, you prankster.

Well, perhaps emphasis is our equivalent of tones, and our Mandarin-speaking friends will find English quite a charm to learn!

#4 Contractions

I have a teammate who taught English in Asia and her recruiter, who had learned English to a high level, would often say encouraging things like:

• “Just keep being the teacher that you’re.”

and she’d wait for the rest of the sentence… 

“The teacher that I’m…what?” 

• “The teacher that you’re.”

See the problem?

Learning this cool English trick called ‘contractions’ is not easy. 

You can end a sentence with “don't” or “can't”, but you can’t end with “you’re” or “it’s” … even though it’s fine to end with “you are” or “it is”!

And if “don’t” means “do not”, then why is it okay to say:

“Why don’t you?”   but you can’t say “Why do not you”?

We must all seem crazy to learners of English!

And you should warn new students to get an up-to-date dictionary, because English is fickle…

“Egregious” used to mean “remarkably good”. Now it means “outstandingly bad”.

#5 Pluralisation

Okay. So you’re learning English and you’ve finally grasped plurals – and it wasn’t easy…

(s) The boy reads the book     →   (p)  They (the boys) read the book 

(s) She cries                               →   (p)  They (the girls) cry

So “they” is plural, right? Awesome! 

Until you overhear a native English speaker say…

• “If someone reads this book, they are going to cry.”

This is how we speak. Even though it’s not grammatically correct, using “they”/”them”/”their” as a singular pronoun is so common that it’s accepted.

The reason we do it? We have no pronoun genders. 

“Someone” could be male or female. So we say “they”.

You’ll recognize these, as well…

• House → Houses      but   Mouse → Mice
• Moose → Mooses    but   Goose → Geese
• Fox     → Foxes          but    Ox       → Oxen

Be honest with me now. You haven't really thought about this next thing: we have more vowel sounds than letters to express them. 

First, there’s the schwa sound – a kind of weak vowel sound.

In a written word, this sound could be represented by an a, e, i, o, u, or even y.

•           a bout, stol e n, penc i l, mem o ry, s u pply, vin y l

Then, one little vowel letter can represent many different vowel sounds:  

•                 h a t, h a te, a ll, a rt, a ny

So I reckon maybe we are missing letters from our alphabet! 

The opposite is also true…

A single vowel sound can be made with different vowel letters:

•              th ey , w ei gh, m ay , c a ke, br ea k, r ai n

But that’s nothing. The vowel sound ‘ee’ can be spelled in at least 21 different ways! 

This is why reading is so essential if you’re learning English (or any language) – reading will give you the same visuals of common words, over and over! 

Now here’s something interesting: Did you know that most languages don’t have a thesaurus?

#7 Synonyms

If you’ve read quite a bit of writing by intermediate English students, you may have noticed a common tendency to use synonyms as though they’re interchangeable.

For example, the linking word “moreover” gets used a lot…

• “Shelley decided she’s going to the wedding, and moreover, she'll be singing.”

But to a native speaker, this sounds weird in a casual context. English speakers rarely use “moreover” unless they’re being formal.

• “Shelley decided she’s going to the wedding, and what’s more, she’ll be singing.”

But it's understandable – modern English has an unusually large number of synonyms – wayyy more than other languages. Way more.

So it’s not easy to get a native-like feel for choosing the right one.

For a student, this means it’s always going to be a gamble when they reach for a thesaurus! 

And then there are…

#8 Phrasal Verbs

Oh boy. How does an English learner get these right when even English natives mix them up?

• Give in, Give out, Give up, Give away, Give to …

And to make matters worse, certain phrasal verbs have multiple meanings. 

Think you know what “take off” means? Think again.

Here are its different meanings:

• Remove something, like clothes
• Get time off work
• An airplane flying up from the runway
• Leave the people you’re with and go somewhere else
• Suddenly begin to see increased success
• Delete something

And don’t get me started on silent letters – we’ll be here all day if I get into that. 

But probably the hardest of all English skills to master is one that even native English speakers get wrong every single day: writing.

• How do you use the Oxford Comma? 
• Where do apostrophes go?
• Which adverbs get a hyphen after them? 

Writing requires the most focus of all the language skills and even many English speakers battle with this.

And come to think of it, if you’re learning English I would NOT advise asking your new friends at the pub for punctuation tips! 

#9 Borrowed Words

Look, one of the reasons for the endless inconsistencies in English is that it has borrowed words from so many other languages. 

The writer, James Nichol, nailed it:

“English doesn’t just borrow words; English follows other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.”

As a matter of fact, English is the world champion of borrowed words!

So, dear friends, next time a foreign person speaks to you in broken English…be kind, will you?

And to finish up, here's a rule I'm pretty sure you don’t know you know.

#10 Rules We’ve Internalised Without Being Taught

Finally, read this sentence with me: 

• It’s a lovely little old rectangular blue French diamond engagement ring.

Now try and mess with that word order. Go on. Suddenly you don’t sound very articulate, do you?

When you describe something using a list of adjectives, it automatically goes : opinion-size-age-shape-colour-origin-material-purpose.

But who taught you that?

Native speakers have an intuitive grasp of word order in English and I guess we take this ability for granted!

But it’s really difficult for students to distinguish right from wrong – making it almost impossible to fool a native speaker, ever!

One word and you’re out. 

But to be fair… English isn’t the only hard language here are 11 really hard languages for English speakers . 

So go on…get a taste of your own medicine !!

Why English Is Hard To Learn

So, why is English hard to learn? Well, thanks to these 10 reasons, now you know. And if you're learning English, you'll know that the language doesn't make it easy.

I’d love to make it easier for you, so if you haven’t tried reading simple stories in English, you should check out my Short Stories books . I want you to win at this!

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Common Difficulties in Learning English

Difficulties in learning English can make you feel lost.

Without some help, it can be very hard to stay motivated.

But  overcoming those difficulties is a lot easier than you think.

In this post, I’m going to show you the six biggest difficulties in learning English , and some super useful tips and tricks to overcoming these difficulties.

After reading these areas to focus on and tips, I promise you’ll feel more confident and more hopeful, and ready to conquer the difficulties of learning English.

Vocabulary Words with Multiple Meanings

Words that aren’t pronounced the way they’re spelled, confusing intonation patterns, complex grammar with lots of exceptions, lots of confusing idioms, finding real-life speaking practice, language exchange apps, language voices, how to overcome english difficulties with others, and one more thing....

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Have you ever seen an English word that you thought you knew—but used in a completely strange way?

English vocabulary is especially difficult because there are so many words that have multiple definitions , so it’s easy to misunderstand their meanings. It’s also difficult to memorize many different definitions for each word.

Take the word  date , for example. This word can mean:

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• A specified day of the month
• A time two people spend with each other romantically

The only possible way to understand which definition is being used is to pay attention to context clues . This means using the surrounding words and sentences to find out which definition for the word makes sense.

Even if you haven’t learned all the definitions for a difficult English word, context clues can help you figure out the right definition!

Can you figure out which definition for the word  date makes sense in the two sentences below?

• When’s the date for the first day of school again?
• Would you like to go on a date with me?

In the first sentence, someone is asking for a specific day when school starts. This isn’t a romantic event that two people will spend together. The first definition applies here.

The second sentence is trickier, but you can tell that the person isn’t asking for a single, specified day. They’re asking to spend time with you. The second definition applies here.

Another trick is to pay attention to the part of speech (noun, adjective, etc.) . Very often, the different definitions for an English word will have different parts of speech, so it’s easy to tell them apart.

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If you’re looking for more help in learning English vocabulary words that have more than one meaning, this video shows more examples and explanations!

In the English language, a large number of the words aren’t spelled phonetically. That means they sound very different from what you’d expect based on their spelling.

Look at these words, for example:

• February: We don’t pronounce the “r” in this word at all. You might sound it out as feb-you-air-ee.
• Choir:  You might expect to pronounce the “ch” sound here, like in the word  chair . But this word is actually pronounced like kwai- er.
• Knife:  The “k” is completely silent!

So how can you overcome this difficulty in learning English?

There are two very useful tools for hearing the correct, native pronunciation of difficult English words:

Intonation is the rise and fall of pitch in speech, and it plays a crucial role in conveying meaning and emotions in English. However, mastering English intonation can be really hard. 

The first important thing to know is that English is a stress-timed language , which means that stressed syllables in a sentence occur at roughly regular intervals, while unstressed syllables are shorter and less prominent.

This means that when you place the stress on the wrong word, or even the wrong syllable, sometimes people won’t understand you, or they’ll misunderstand you.

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For example, the two words “conflict” and “conflict.”

If you say CON-flict, you mean that there is some sort of disagreement between two people, like in this sentence:

Steve and Marie are in conflict over whether to get a dog.

But if you say con-FLICT, you mean that two stories or accounts aren’t the same, like in this example:

His story conflicts with Lucy’s, so I don’t know who to believe.

English uses a system of rising and falling intonation. 

The rise or fall in pitch at the end of a sentence or phrase can change the meaning of a statement or question. Mastering when to use rising intonation (indicating a question) versus falling intonation (indicating a statement) can be tricky, too.

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English also uses contrastive stress to emphasize certain words or phrases in a sentence to convey meaning or clarify information. Understanding which words to stress in a sentence and how this affects the overall meaning can be challenging.

Take this sentence, for example:

I didn’t say she stole the money.

Depending on which word you stress, you change the meaning of the sentence.

• If you stress “she,” that means that someone stole the money, but not necessarily this “she.”
• If you stress “money,” maybe she didn’t steal the money, but she may have stolen something else.

It turns out each and every word in this sentence, if stressed, changes the meaning of the sentence.

Lastly, English uses emotional and expressive intonation .

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Intonation is crucial for conveying emotions, attitudes, and intentions in speech. Learners may struggle to accurately convey these nuances, especially if their native language uses different intonation patterns for expressing emotions.

To work on this, I especially recommend recording yourself . Most people have a smart phone with a voice memo app. Use that, read a text or just speak your mind and then see how it sounds to you.

Another tip is to watch a lot of English, American or Australian TV. I find that soap operas are great for this purpose because they’re all about the dialogue and the drama!

Check out this informative video for some more tips on how to master English intonation:

English grammar can be particularly challenging for English learners due to its complexity and the presence of various rules and lots of exceptions.

English verbs change form to indicate tense, person and number. This means learners must memorize the different forms of verbs for present, past and future tenses. Also there are lots of irregular verbs that can be especially tricky because they do not follow regular conjugation patterns.

Articles (a, an, the)

Determining when to use “a,” “an” or “the” can be really confusing. The rules for article usage are not always straightforward, and there are cases where no article is used at all.

Prepositions

English prepositions can be tricky because they often do not have a direct equivalent in other languages. Additionally, the choice of preposition can significantly impact the meaning of a sentence.

Modal verbs

Modal verbs (such as can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) are used to express various degrees of necessity, possibility, permission, and ability. Understanding when and how to use these can be complex for learners.

To overcome the grammar difficulties, I’m afraid there is no real short cut that will get you there faster than a lot of old-fashioned practice.

Keep in mind, though, that you can pretty much avoid the more complex verb tenses and still get your point across. Save the past perfect for when you feel more comfortable with the present, past and future tenses.

To focus more on modal verbs, which is perhaps the most confusing aspect of English grammar, check out this video for more great tips:

Idioms are sayings or expressions that have a figurative, non-literal meaning. They are commonly used in English to add color and depth to language. However, they can be particularly confusing.

For example, take these two super common English idioms:

• Bite the bullet
• Break a leg

“Bite the bullet” has nothing to do with guns or bullets. It simply means to deal with something unpleasant now, rather than later.

“Break a leg” means the opposite. It means “good luck.” How would an English language learner ever figure that out from the words alone?

In addition to this, most idioms are culturally specific.

This means that they are deeply tied to the culture in which they originated. For example, an idiom related to a specific sport or historical event might not make sense to someone from a different culture.

To navigate idioms, learners should use as many authentic English materials (such as books, movies and TV shows) as possible, to familiarize yourself with idiomatic expressions in context.

Check out this informative video to learn the 100 most common English idioms:

If you truly want to gain the full experience of speaking in English , you need to actually talk with native speakers. This is the only way to practice having real English conversations. But it can be really difficult for a couple of reasons.

For starters, if you don’t live near or in an English-speaking region, you might not know where to find native speakers to practice with.

Second, English conversations can be scary! There’s a lot of pressure when someone is waiting for you to come up with an English sentence.

It’ll be tough in the beginning! But fear not.

There are other ways you can meet and talk with native speakers without feeling lots of pressure, no matter where you currently live.

A language exchange app is one of the best options to practice speaking and typing in the English language.

You have the comfort of messaging native speakers without leaving home ! You can wear your most comfortable pajamas, sit in your favorite spot in the park or even use online apps in between classes while messaging native speakers.

You won’t feel too much pressure since everything is done by either your phone, tablet or computer. Some popular apps you can find to download for free are:

• HelloTalk : A convenient language exchange app with audio and text chat. There are built-in tools for translation, correcting errors and more.
• Tandem :  Similar to HelloTalk with lots of great language learning features. However, this one also has the option to seek out a professional tutor.

In fact, as seen in the following video, being able to speak English with a native speaker is one of the best ways to reinforce what you’ve learned. Alongside watching and listening to native English media and reading a lot, having a conversation in English—even a short one!—can take your English a long way.

If you enjoy meeting new people and would like to converse with native speakers in a comfortable setting, language cafes can be another great option for you! These are in-person events where you can meet native speakers as well as other language learners.

They’re relaxing events where people can teach, read, write or meet with friends, so it doesn’t feel like you’re studying but having loads of fun and drinking loads of coffee!

Language Voices is a great option to find a language cafe near you! Their language cafes cover lots of different topics, whether it be business English, grammar, listening skills and much more.

Their options are mainly Europe-based, with cafes from Finland to Turkey.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

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Have you thought that your classmates and other English-learning friends might also be frustrated with difficulties in learning in English?

They probably are!

They’re probably pulling their hair and drinking cups and cups of coffee because of the same stressful feelings you have.

But what better way to overcome these difficulties than as a group?

Studies have shown that studying in a group can boost your learning! Group studying  makes learning more fun and reduces the stress you might feel about difficult English topics.

Group learning also doesn’t have to take place only in an educational setting. It can take place in a cafe, pub, classmate’s home, restaurant, park or even in public transportation.

Your group can make learning more effective by creating role-playing games  where you act out real-world English situations. You can also try a drinking game or even a bet where a reward is involved—whatever you need to make it fun and motivating for everyone.

But what happens when your group isn’t really sure if you’re studying the right way?

Ask a native speaker to be part of the learning time, if possible. He or she can be the referee, keeping score for the games or listening for mistakes in your role-playing exercises.

Learning the rules of pronunciation, definitions, grammar and speaking in English may seem like a very difficult thing to do. But with these tips, consistent practice and confidence in yourself, you should have no trouble overcoming these difficulties in learning English.

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

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A Student’s Struggle to Speak English Leads to a Career as a Communicator

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Fiorella Riccobono first contributed to Knowledge@Wharton High School back in 2015, when she was interviewed for her high school social entrepreneurship project helping coffee bean farmers in Northwest Haiti. She has stayed in touch ever since, sharing insights from her college and social-awareness experiences at Florida State University. You can check out Riccobono’s KWHS contributions in the Related KWHS Stories tab accompanying this article.

As always, we appreciated hearing from Riccobono this week, when she reached out to tell us about her new job (she graduated in December) and share her perspective on a very personal topic: how her journey learning to speak English has influenced her life and career decisions.

In this personal essay, she expresses why she hopes that “more people in our society, especially in today’s political climate, analyze their perceptions of disadvantage and accept that qualities like language “barriers” can in fact be personal strengths.”

I vividly remember the moment when I became a shy girl and developed a profound fear of public speaking. I was in my pre-k classroom sitting in a big circle of 4-year-olds, when our teacher asked us to share what we had eaten for breakfast. My parents had immigrated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. from Venezuela shortly before my brother and I were born, and we only spoke Spanish at home. However, this was my second year enrolled in school in Davie, Florida, so I had picked up enough English to understand the question. But I was still learning. I raised my hand and responded “cereal con leche.” My visibly angry teacher asked me again and again to repeat my answer, and I couldn’t understand why.

Falling Silent

Eighteen years later, I still recall the shame of being scolded for my inability to communicate in the appropriate way – in this case, fully in English. Luckily, my teacher’s aide spoke Spanish and translated that I was saying “cereal with milk.” But at that point, the damage had been done. I was wounded and crying. I remember thinking to myself that I wouldn’t speak in class unless I absolutely had to. It was an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy; something a four-year-old girl should never experience.

That feeling stayed with me. In high school, I would choose to be absent on days when I knew I had to present projects to the class. My eyes would water when I had to speak in front of my classmates, my voice would shake, and so would my legs.

This story marks the start of my improbable triumph.

My favorite author, Malcom Gladwell, poses an interesting question: “Why do we automatically assume that someone who is smaller or poorer or less skilled is necessarily at a disadvantage?” I believe that we have a very limited definition of what constitutes an advantage.

Now, at the age of 22, a recent graduate of Florida State University and a new employee of the Florida Senate, I am very clear on my own advantages. Being the daughter of two Venezuelan immigrants made me the professional woman I am today, and that identity has been a driving factor in my success.

Much of the credit goes to my so-called language “barrier” and struggle with “broken” English. During my years of learning English, my mom and I would sit down together to do my homework. When I was tired of studying, and I didn’t want to practice spelling out any more words, my mom would softly and persuasively say, “Dale Fiore, otro treinta minutos, porque cuando tu aprendes, yo aprendo tambien,” which translates to: “Let’s study another half hour, Fiore, because when you learn, I learn too.”

That phrase kept me going. We would sit there at the table laughing hysterically as we butchered the words we were spelling aloud to each other. When test day came, I would remember the mistakes we made, because they were so funny to me, and that helped me memorize the correct spelling. The way we had to study turned spelling and vocabulary tests into a fun game. I began to appreciate a certain joy and fulfillment of studying for the sake of knowledge, not to overcome an inadequacy, and I also had the deep satisfaction of watching my mom learn English.

Conventional thought suggests that if you live in the U.S. you should learn English, and we eventually did. But the truth of the matter is that not knowing English made me a better student. It meant that I had to work harder and couldn’t lose focus in class. I paid close attention to how people spoke and pronounced words. When I was tired and wanted to stop, I had to keep studying. Many would argue that my inability to fluently speak English in my childhood was a weakness, when in fact it turned out to be one of my greatest strengths.

While I still hold onto some of the feelings I had all those years ago in my pre-k classroom, I have grown to embrace my Venezuelan heritage and language as motivations for my achievements in the U.S. The fact that I am not a native English speaker has made me more empathetic. It has helped me truly understand why diversity of thought is such a strength in the workplace, and, ironically, has made me a far more effective communicator.

I majored in finance, economics , and social entrepreneurship at Florida State, and graduated a semester early in December 2018. I am now the reading clerk for the 2019 session of the Florida Senate. Our state constitution requires senators to read bills three times before voting on them. I stand at the podium and read these documents aloud for the 60 days that the Senate is in session, navigating the language that could ultimately become Florida law. That one-time shy, silent little girl actually pursued and landed a job that now requires me to regularly stand in front of 40 state senators and read proposed legislation – in English.

I also speak Spanish every day, with family and friends. My college roommate and best friend is from Mexico, so we speak to each other in Spanish. I am bilingual in my professional life, as well. Just this week, the Florida Senate phones were blowing up with citizens supporting or condoning a controversial bill that entered committee. This specific bill prompted lots of calls from Spanish speakers and I was the only person on staff who could speak Spanish. So I answered the phones and spoke with the Spanish citizens, communicating about their opinions on this piece of legislation. I helped the voices of non-English-speaking citizens be heard.

Shifting Perceptions

I see how speaking English as a second language actually adds to the richness of this country. As a Venezuelan immigrant, I grew up forcing myself into situations where I had no choice but to confront my fears, and I would do it again and again until that specific situation no longer made me uncomfortable. I have contributed deeply to my school and now my work communities because my “otherness” sparked my intellectual curiosity and my desire to work that much harder to achieve my personal goals.

My hope is that more people in our society, especially in today’s political climate, analyze their perceptions of disadvantage and accept that qualities like language “barriers” can in fact be personal strengths that open up entire worlds of opportunity and accomplishment.

To the students who relate to my experiences and who may be struggling with their inability or even lack of desire to learn English, I ask you to shift your perception and embrace the opportunity in your challenge. I ask you to consider how you can spin this perceived weakness and draw energy from it to become a stronger student, friend, and contributing member to society. Don’t accept the notion that you are disadvantaged. Learning English and being able to effectively communicate with your peers is rewarding. More importantly, how you speak, complete with your thick, beautiful accent, is an advantage and an asset, not an inadequacy you must overcome.

Related Links

• Malcolm Gladwell on Facebook
• Fiorella Riccobono at CNN Debate Night
• New York Times Topics: Immigration and Emigration

Conversation Starters

Fiorella Riccobono says, “My hope is that more people in our society, especially in today’s political climate, analyze their perceptions of disadvantage.” What does she mean by this?

How would you describe Fiorella’s “improbable triumph?”

Does Fiorella’s story resonate with you? Can you relate to some of her struggles learning the English language and how that has helped to define her course? Why or why not?

9 comments on “ A Student’s Struggle to Speak English Leads to a Career as a Communicator ”

While scrolling through the articles listed on the webpage, this unique one caught my eye immediately. What it described is a complete mirror of my experience, my pain and my struggle. More importantly, when looking through it, I realized the way I should face myself, both strengths and weaknesses. Fiorella’s “improbable triumph” is truly “improbable”, at least that’s what I believed before finishing this article. She did undergo many challenging situations, difficulties that her first language Spanish but not English. And for me, a second language learner becomes a Florida Senate sounds totally incredible. Since my first language is also not English, I know how much struggles and courage it needs to be able to speak out in front of people, let alone standing in front of 40 state senators and read proposed legislation. But I believe that’s one of the main reason why she made to her position, it is because she already has a strong heart, enough self-confidence and a constant thirst for knowledge. These were all honed from her school years. I was always the top students back in my home country and English was one of my strongest subject. However, it was opposite when I came to Canada. The “barrier” of language discourages me from participating in school activities, being actively during class. During my first year, Every time I was in class, I was worried whether the teacher would ask me to answer questions or not. I always remember my first speech. I practiced it over and over again, but some students still didn’t understand what I was talking about and I couldn’t answer their questions. Same as Fiorella, my mom also played an important role. She practice my presentation’s script with me and she told me that there is no way to be ashamed by my accent or the fact that I am a second language learner. She told me that’s exactly the point I should be proud of myself because I am able to speak both two languages. I have always been grateful for my parents, without them I couldn’t be where I am today. I enrolled my school’s principle list every semester and honor roll on the Waterloo Math Contest. Now, I am preparing for my debate club as a leader with my friends. I always believe man grows in adversity, I don’t regret any of the attempts I’ve made, even if I fail and fall. Isn’t the realization of my shortcomings also a progress? Tribulation is accompanied by harvest. Just as Fiorella Riccobono says to “analyze perceptions of disadvantage.” I was contradict to communicate because my accent, lack of vocabulary, different culture, when I read the last paragraph of this article, I just found that all my worries and evasions were ridiculous and untenable. This article once again strengthens my heart and guides my future efforts, to become a stronger student, friend, and contributing member to society. Everything I have and experienced has made me who I am now, and it takes that to make me whole.

Hi Jasmine,

Thank you for your fantastic comment!

Also as an immigrant to Canada at an older age (14), I find your experience much more relatable than Fiorella’s. I believe that one of the reasons why I agreed to my parents’ idea of immigrating, is that I was confident in my “English” language, and that was partly because I was performing well during English class in my home country. However, it was really different being in an environment where you are forced to speak the language. My problem wasn’t during class and academics but in my social life. What a teenage girl needs the most perhaps is a social life, friends. At least for me. But it was extremely hard to make friends if I wasn’t willing to make a step out, to talk to people. Fortunately, with my mother’s little push, I was able to do so. Even though I stumbled through the beginning, attending lots of social events and making awkward conversations, I eventually made a couple of great friends and got to know many other people. Joining the debate club and filing applications to other councils was difficult because I wasn’t confident in my speaking and was afraid that I would make fun of myself. Which I did, modelling the motion “THW lift patents” supporting patents. But I gained a lot of valuable experience in the process, found my passion in debating, and ultimately improved my English speaking and confidence. However, I do believe that this struggle is just a part of the journey of fitting in the new language environment.

This unique title also did catch my eyes, but I wasn’t feeling related while reading the article. I thought that at the age of four, it would be really easy to learn English and be amalgamated into the American society. It was hard to believe that a four-year-old memory could be carved so deeply in her mind, also how does over ten years of living in an English environment she is still not confident of her language? With doubt and suspicion, I finished the article.

I agree with you and Fiorella that by analyzing and reconsidering our “perception of disadvantages”, we could learn how to embrace and turn our so-called disadvantages into motivation and strength. However, I do not believe that her “triumph” is “improbable”. In my opinion, her “triumph” is being confident of speaking English and eventually becoming an employee of the Florida state senate. Admittedly, she is quite successful in her confidence and career. But again, as a person living in the states, speaking English for so many years since childhood, her English will come as she grows. I believe that her “solving all the obstacles” is just a process of fitting into the new environment, what actually brought out her “triumph”, is her action of acknowledging and recognizing her former disadvantages, then turning it into her interest and continued pursuing it. 
The society is biased, being a good English speaker is important for our success in the future or just to be more like a part of the society, but the process of learning is crucial as well, it teaches us life-long skills — persistence and motivation for learning.

Jasmine, your story of progress and growth in language learning is truly inspiring. Your journey, from feeling apprehensive about participating in class due to language barriers to becoming a leader in the debate club in your second language, showcases a remarkable testament to your determination and perseverance. Reading about your experiences motivates me to push myself further in my own language studies. In a few years, I’ll be taking my AP Spanish exam, and your story constantly reminds me that with determination and continuous effort, I can overcome the challenges I currently face in learning Spanish and achieve my goals. Your narrative has given me valuable insights into the complexities of language acquisition, which directly resonates with the struggles my parents faced when learning English as a second language. I used to find humor in their pronunciation struggles, not fully comprehending the difficulties they were encountering. However, my own language-learning experiences have humbled me, and now I hold a profound respect for their determination in learning a second language. My language teacher once said, “Once you dream in a language, you know you’re fluent,” and this notion fascinates me as I strive to achieve a similar level of language mastery in Spanish. Your narrative also got me thinking about the remarkable ability of some individuals, including yourself, to learn languages quickly. This phenomenon is not limited to children but also extends to certain adults. I decided to conduct some of my own research on the topic to gain a better understanding. In my investigation, I found that certain cognitive factors and personality traits can contribute to accelerated language learning. For example, individuals with strong working memory and high levels of empathy tend to grasp language nuances more quickly. Moreover, the motivation to learn a new language, much like your own drive, can significantly impact the speed of acquisition. Additionally, exposure to immersive language environments and consistent practice plays a crucial role in fostering rapid language development. This would also explain why children have a unique advantage in language learning, primarily due to their lack of prior knowledge in the target language. Their immersion in an environment where the target language is consistently spoken enables them to develop an intuitive grasp of grammar, pronunciation, and cultural nuances. Imagine a child stepping into a world where everything they hear and see is in a new language. They don’t have preconceived notions or linguistic habits to overcome. It’s a blank canvas waiting to be filled with the colors of this unfamiliar language. As they interact with native speakers and engage in daily activities, they naturally absorb the language without conscious effort. This lack of pre-existing linguistic baggage allows them to embrace the new language wholeheartedly, much like effortlessly stepping into a racecar and taking the wheel without any previous experience in driving. Your efforts to learn a language is truly commendable, Jasmine, and it serves as an inspiration for others to follow. Your dedication and enthusiasm for language learning are evident throughout your essay, and I want to express my appreciation for sharing your journey with us. Your story has not only motivated me personally but also broadened my understanding of the multifaceted aspects of language acquisition. Keep up the incredible work!🚀

I think that perspective is one of the greatest traits that a person can have. It has the ability to bridge almost any gap of all sorts of disparity; economic, cultural, political, the list goes on and on. It’s this trait that is not found often enough in society that is key to understanding why others around you say what they say, do what they do, and believe what they believe. In the instance of Fiorella Riccobono, this was in regards to the perspective of a four year-old girl who had immigrated to the United States with her parents in search of a better life. Now 22, Fiorella boldly states “My hope is that more people in our society, especially in today’s political climate, analyze their perceptions of disadvantage”. Her saying is meant to imply that those of us who are at what we perceive as an adversity to our aspirations ought to gain more perspective to realize that it is often the greatest challenges that create the best people.

My view on Fiorella’s “improbable triumph” revolves around the idea that her success was reliant on her individual positive mindset. She disregarded society’s notion that her not knowing English was an inherent disadvantage that she would be restrained by, and rather turns it into an opportunity to show growth and determination. She says herself that “Many would argue that my inability to fluently speak English in my childhood was a weakness, when in fact it turned out to be one of my greatest strengths”. This ideal mindset is exactly what in my opinion needs to be emphasized in society; the concept that people’s ability to move up the ladder is mostly in their own hands, and even if there are inevitable obstacles, it is the individual’s responsibility to face them head on. This is why stories such as Fiorella’s must be celebrated and showcased more often, to teach communities and especially youth to not accept that they are disadvantaged and that there is nothing that they can do about it. Mindsets that accept there is nothing left to change the status quo are the most dangerous; they not only remove any potential to make change, but pass down ideology to younger generations, creating a cycle of lost opportunity. That’s why Fiorella’s “improbable triumph” and stories like it must be highlighted in communities all across the world.

In regards to Fiorella’s story, it resonates quite deep personally with my family and I. As the son of immigrants, it was easy to relate to the struggles she describes of getting past the initial language/cultural barrier that occurs when getting used to living in a new country. My parents came to the United States 17 years ago, knowing a few sentences they had learned from a Hindi-to-English pocketbook dictionary, a couple hundred dollars, and a 3 year old son, my older brother. I was born a year later, and then we eventually moved to Tampa, Florida as my dad had received a job offer. As I was born in the US and naturally learned the language, culture, and customs, I became more and more observant of the divide between what I saw as “normal” at school and what my parents did. They had been in the country for a number of years, but still were speaking that “broken English” that Fiorella references. Naturally as a kid, I met and hung out with my friends outside of school, often encountering their parents who had often either lived their whole life in America or had been living here for decades. They spoke perfect English, much better than that of a eight-year-old, and certainly better than that of a husband and wife that had only been in the country for a few years. As I came home from playing with my friends, I became frustrated at communicating in English with my parents as they were not as good as the moms and dads I met at my friends’ houses. Being naive, I did not understand why they were unable to speak that fluent English that I always listened to outside my home. I actually became embarrassed when friends came over to my home to hang out, only to be confused by how my parents tried to greet them using English that was often grammatically wrong and covered with a thick accent. I was ashamed of it for a long time, and looking back I even admit it made me angry that my family was different than others. I just wanted to be the acclaimed “normal” that every kid always desired. However, as I began to grow up, I had an experience that completely changed the lense that I was looking at my parents through. That year I had begun staying up later at night to complete homework and other commitments that started as high school began becoming more demanding. On a particular night that year, when I had finally finished my homework and whatever else I had to do that late night, I decided to get some water downstairs before I went to bed. When I came down, I saw that my father had left his computer on; so naturally, I went over to turn it off. When I was about to press the power button, the screen caught my eye: “Online Tutoring for English”. It had never occurred to me that my dad was taking lessons to improve his English – to say I was surprised would be quite the understatement. The realization had dawned upon me that specific moment how difficult life truly was for an immigrant – and in this case – my parents. Any notions to myself thinking that I had a lot of work and stress to deal with in high school quickly evaporated, as I really took a moment to reflect on my father’s journey all these years later. To leave his family and friends behind in India, travel thousands of miles to a foreign country, not knowing the language or anybody to help him, and having no other option than making it knowing he had a wife and young son counting on him finally hit me. I was humbled. I was washed over with a sense of regret and shame for always being mad all those years at my parents for not being fluent English speakers. That night was years ago. Today, as I write this, I have the upmost pride in knowing that those two immigrants who came to this country not knowing the language, are MY parents. I feel that this story is not exclusively mine, but rather one that millions of other immigrants who have come to this country have experienced as well, and it’s comforting know that all of us have made it against all odds. Just like Fiorella, I want to take this moment that showed a disadvantage that my family had gotten past and transform it into a showcase of how rewarding resilience can truly be. While I was privileged to learn the language as I grew up, I appreciate the perspective of someone who only had a pocketbook dictionary and a strong will to make it in a foreign country for their family, and that is something I will cherish for a lifetime.

The ability to turn a disadvantage into an advantage is what paves the way for “improbable triumph”.

In the words of Fiorella: “I believe that we have a very limited definition of what constitutes an advantage.” She could not be more correct.

As the son of immigrants, this is an article that resonated with me. Like Fiorella, English was not the primary language spoken within our house. Like Fiorella, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy for not being able to speak English as well as my peers. Like Fiorella, these feelings created shyness and timidity that affected my participation in class. But most importantly, like Fiorella, this ‘disadvantage’ of mine turned out to be the driving cause of one of my greatest accomplishments.

Fiorella says that not knowing English made her a better student. She cites the extra effort she had to put in to understand concepts as the root of her strong work ethic. My own childhood was characterized less by a struggle to learn English, but more by a persistent feeling of insecurity about cultural norms. In other words, while I was able to overcome the language barrier, the cultural barrier that existed created a constant pressure of inadequacy; it felt like everyone was part of an inside joke that I wasn’t allowed to know. But in the same way Fiorella responded to adversity by bouncing back with fervor, I responded to my perceived disadvantage by turning it into an advantage. I developed a passion for public speaking in middle school, determined to change my impression of “the quiet kid” into someone who was outspoken and confident. When I think back to what ignited that sudden change, I honestly think it was simply to spite those who underestimated me. It was a way for me to put myself out there and feel included despite the nagging feeling of cultural difference that made me feel separated.

This passion for public speaking developed into a passion for argumentation. I joined the debate team in high school and won many awards. More importantly, I made friends and broadened my perspective. Last year I was even fortunate enough to be selected for the USA development debate team, representing the nation while competing against international teams across the globe. The experiences I had as a part of this team are what makes Fiorella’s statement ring so true for me. Meeting debaters from all over the world changed my perspective – what society considers an advantage is extremely limited in its scope.

In the world of international debate, English is the lingua franca. You would think that the Western countries would then be at an advantage, being more comfortable with English and thus being better speakers. Yet, some of the best communicators I’ve met speak English as a second language. When we versed the national Bangladesh team, we were amazed by how skillfully they debated. Yes, they had an accent, and yes their grammar and word choice were awkward at times, but the meaning they conveyed was poignant. If the round felt difficult, the conversation I had with them in Bengali afterwards felt like they were running circles around me. I realized that they focused on meaning of the words not how they sound. They may not have been familiar with English, but their ideas were strong and they conveyed them directly and powerfully. Their articulation wasted no time, unlike them teams from Western countries, who used extravagant vocabulary and complicated metaphors. Team Bangladesh went on to do extremely well in the tournament despite their unfamiliarity with English, truly encapsulating the essence of “improbable triumph”.

From the shy, timid student, to the debater representing the USA, I had an improbable triumph of my own. As I found my voice and people listened, I realized that the cultural barrier I thought was inhibiting me was empowering me. At first it was simply by giving myself an obstacle to overcome, but then I realized how my own cultural experiences gave me a diverse worldview that enhanced everything I did. It propelled me to my position on the national debate team which served to further my diverse worldview. Aaditya mentioned his personal story about his parents in an earlier comment, Jasmine and Eileen discussed their hardships in immigrating to Canada, and Fiorella mentions her own struggles in the article above. However, in the end, the disadvantages we all faced made us stronger and gave us character. In a way, I am grateful for the disadvantages I had to deal with.

Throughout the article, and above in my own comment, the term improbable triumph has been used to describe success in the face of disadvantages. Yet, it seems that triumph becomes more probable in the face of disadvantages that must be overcome and learned from. We really should change our conception of advantage then, because disadvantages can be advantages in disguise and make improbable triumphs less improbable.

Diana wrote about her story as an immigrant who was having a hard time breaking the language barriers in the United States. I felt camaraderie with her story as a foreigner who has gone through a similar experience in adapting to a culture and language that I have never been exposed to ever since I was born. She said she was having a hard time breaking the implicit barrier between her and people in the States, and so did I. It took me so long to get used to just speaking and writing my thoughts in English to share with my friends, and many people are struggling with that too. I was admitted to my current school in the first year of the Pandemic, and trying to make friends when everyone had to stay inside their homes was a horrible experience. I took all of my classes virtually, without a single experience of speaking English. My school initially did not even provide an ESL program to help foreign students like me. Also, I was not able to socialize with other kids in the school because there were no chances. I finished my first year with a lot of struggles, and I moved into the school for the second year. I tried to make lots of friends because I realized that if I didn’t get used to this environment, I thought I would never be able to get friends in school. So, I decided to play some sports, join clubs, and be active in class.

During those times, I’ve seen many students who are also having a hard time like me. I’ve seen a lot of smart Asian students talented in many different fields, but are unable to express their creative ideas as they were not able to speak English fluently. I remember the time when, I was in my math class, and we were solving a hard calculus problem that required us to see it with a creative perspective that people normally cannot even imagine. However, Chan, my Chinese friend, raised his hand and tried to explain his thoughts on the problem in front of the whole class. It took a while for many students in my class to understand his words because of his accent and his fluency in English. Later, he had to just write down equations and variables on the board to enable others to understand what he was trying to understand. Though some people might think that it is Chan’s fault for not being able to fluently speak English while going to a public school in the United States. However, for those people, I want to ask, ‘since when did English become the Nation’s official language?’ I, knowing how talented Chan is in transforming hard math problems into simple solutions during when we worked on a math project together, felt sorry for his embarrassment. At that moment, I realized that the existing educational system does not support many talented students to overcome their language barrier to reach their full potential. As a person who also went through a similar experience of having a hard time, I wanted to make a change in the current form of education for future generations of students in the overlooked population. I did not want any more students to not reach their 100% potential just because of the language barrier. From my experience, I learned that the school’s ESL classes do not practically help foreign students to learn English in a short period of time. Even more, I realize that there is no support system in our education that could help foreign students who are struggling with their school work just because they cannot speak English fluently. Realizing that there has to be an end to this continuing educational disparity, I decided to run a student club “Near2Perfection” that can help talented students who are suffering because of language or cultural barriers. Currently, in the United States, the majority of people expect immigrants to speak English fluently, even when 14.4% of its total population consists of immigrants whose mother tongue is not English. Empathizing with these often overlooked populations in our society, I and Near2Perfection aim to support them to socialize with other students and break the language barrier to spread their innovative dreams that could change the world. For instance, one of my friends from Taiwan, Tiger Ding, was struggling in his language & literature class, and especially with speaking and writing an essay in English. Like me, he never left his home country before coming to Salisbury school, and it was the first time he came to an English-only learning environment. Our club helped him to get familiar with the different cultures and languages by introducing our club members and giving him a tour of our school. Throughout the semester, we helped him with writing essays, providing him notes on how to write a persuasive essay, while doing daily assignments together, and having lunch with other classmates to make them feel inclusive in the school community.

After reading this article and reading through the comment section, I’m so glad that there are others who also recognize that all people, regardless of race, gender, age, and fluency in speaking English, have remarkable talents, energy, knowledge, and creativity to innovate the world. Being motivated, In the near future, I want to build a non-profit organization that promotes collaborations among lots of companies in the private industry in different countries. The goal of this organization is to play a significant role in “breaking the barrier” to help companies in different nations to introduce their innovative business ideas more easily. With my unending passion to promote equity, I am eager to collaborate with many other innovative peers in different nations to put our heads together and make the world a better place.

“I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.” is a monumental quote stated by Kurt Cobain. This quote not only illustrates the social concern of insecurities but also reflected an image of my life in general. The article, “A Student’s Struggle to Speak English Leads to a Career as a Communicator”, was especially intriguing to me because it shows how one’s aversion towards a certain area may also make them emotionally stronger by forcing them to step outside of their comfort zone. As Fiorella Riccobono stated, “My hope is that more people in our society, especially in today’s political climate, analyze their perceptions of disadvantage.” This suggests that rather than viewing stereotypically bad behavior as something we should avoid, we should also consider the delight it has brought to us and the positive adjustments it has made to our lives as a whole. For example, Fiorella Riccobono’s inability to communicate in English when she was younger forced her to go through an ordeal that has damaged her internally, but ultimately acknowledged the idea that having communication problems is not necessarily a drawback. The student underwent the hardship of learning a foreign language and overcame her insecurities on self-consciousness which is ultimately, her “improbable triumph”. As a ten-year-old little boy stepped into a foreign country where the environment was completely new to him, it was inevitable for him to face issues like language barriers, culture shock and discrimination. When I immigrated to Singapore from my homeland China, where I had spent the previous ten years, I attended an international school and did not speak a single word of English. I used to be in the English as a Second Language(EAL) course for three years hoping that one day I could be moved to English as a First Language(EFL) class. Throughout these years, I have seen many of my fellow classmates get transferred to EFL after only a few months of learning English, but I still had not yet met the requirements for EFL. I often asked myself, “Am I dumb?”, “Why am I always different from others?” and “Why can’t I just be like them?” Every time I speak in front of the class, I feel that I am stuttering and making simple grammar mistakes in my speech. I used to always be afraid to look others in the eye because I knew they might be making fun of my accent and giving me judgemental looks. Later in life, I was inspired by an artist that promotes the concept of ‘self-love’. The artist has numerous songs implying that we should not try to pretend to be someone that we are not in order to fit into a specific type of community and we should always love ourselves and embrace who we are individually. That was the moment when I realized that my insecurities are confining my individuality and it is perfectly fine to be different. I joined a local service called “Her Journey” that advocates Migrant Domestic Workers’ Rights and some people questioned why I am involved in a ‘Her’ related activity. I simply replied, “I am just doing what I love”, that is empowering the women in my society and beyond. The younger me tried really hard to be a ‘normal’ student but soon acknowledged that there is no category of ‘normal’ in our modern society. I started not caring about my accent and whether I can speak ‘perfect’ English or not because as Fiorella Riccobono stated, “This story marks the start of my improbable triumph.”

Fiorella’s story as the child of Venezuelan immigrants inversely mirrors my own experience as the child of two Korean immigrants. Her story starts with the shame and insecurity of not knowing English in her pre-K classroom, leading her to the realization that this “barrier” bolstered her work ethic and beliefs on diversity. My own story is similar: my struggle to resonate with my Korean identity as a Korean-American made me curious and led me to building my own community.

“Conventional thought suggests that if you live in the U.S. you should learn English,” Fiorella writes, and while this is true, I present another version of this line in a way applicable to my life: Conventional thought suggests that if you have family from outside of the U.S., you should be able to speak their language. When I was in first grade, I traded my once-fluent Korean for perfect English. This sacrifice gave way to the insecurity and shame that Fiorella alludes to in her article. Whenever I went back to Korea to visit family, I felt a sense of isolation as the only one who wasn’t fluent in Korean. I felt like a particularly grotesque piece of artwork, while my family looked at me as if they couldn’t quite figure me out. “Can you try to speak Korean around us?” they would ask, but the moment I spoke, they would chastise my poor grammar and even poorer pronunciation. They would comment on my colored hair and clothes, blaming it on the “American influence.” Language was not the only barrier that separated me from my Korean family. Korean mannerisms and culture that my family had practiced all their lives were unfamiliar to me, only feeding my insecurity. As the shame grew, I marginalized myself from my Korean identity and pushed myself to become more American. I stopped speaking Korean altogether, because every time I did, I was reminded that I didn’t quite belong.

Self-acceptance took a lot of work over the years, and admittedly, I still harbor some of those feelings from when I was younger. But like Fiorella’s connection to her identity, mine blossomed into a unique strength. Being Korean-American caused me to ask questions about who I really was, leading me to discover a community where my hyphenated identity has evolved into something entirely its own. Discovering the Korean-American community in my town let me uphold a blend of what both cultures have to offer; for example, many Korean-Americans bond over our experiences in Korea, the struggle of learning a language, and aspects of Korean culture that we can only confide in each other in America, such as Korean music and fashion. The Korean diaspora in the United States is comprised of nearly 2 million individuals, and after connecting with those like myself, I realized that I had spent my entire life trying to conform to one group or another when really, all I had to do was recognize that I had been part of one all along.

At the end of her article, Fiorella writes, “To the students who relate to my experiences and who may be struggling with their inability or even lack of desire to learn English, I ask you to shift your perception and embrace the opportunity in your challenge. I ask you to consider how you can spin this perceived weakness and draw energy from it to become a stronger student, friend, and contributing member to society.” This is exactly what I aspire to do. Already, I have contributed to my school and community through the thing that made me different and made me doubt myself all my life – in this case, my Korean-American identity – because it ultimately sparked my intellectual curiosity and allowed me to cross barriers to reach people like myself. Our identities are not deficits, barriers, or obstacles, as Fiorella has found out for herself. No matter our challenges, our ethnic origins, beliefs, gender, religion, and nationalities make us who we are, and being Korean-American has allowed me to find a community between lands, oceans, and cultures that feels like home.

I deeply resonate with your experiences as an Asian-American navigating the waters of having many different cultural identities. As an immigrant who has lived in four countries, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and the US, I can empathize with the challenges you faced in connecting with your Korean roots while adapting to American culture.

Although I have not experienced living in India and spent most of my formative years in Japan, my Indian heritage has always been an essential part of who I am. I always found it difficult to answer the seemingly simple question, “where are you from?” Whenever it comes up, I am faced with a dilemma: Should I say that I am Indian, even though I never lived in India, but my parents were born and raised there? Should I say that I am American, despite the fact that I have lived here for only 3 years? Or should I say I am Japanese, since I have spent many years immersed in their culture, but was always seen as a foreigner? These moments make me feel isolated from those around me, like I don’t entirely fit into one particular mold.

However, I have learned to make light out of my situation. Akin to Fiorella’s realization of the “barrier” being a catalyst for growth, my journey has allowed me to experience the world through differing and often contrasting perspectives, providing a greater sense of depth in my life. As you put it, “Our identities are not deficits, barriers, or obstacles… our ethnic origins, beliefs, gender, religion, and nationalities make us who we are.”

Reflecting on your story, I’m reminded of a quote from an Indian hero, Mahatma Gandhi: “No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.” Similar to how you’ve discovered a unique strength in your assorted identity, I have learned to embrace my diversity, allowing me to better understand myself and those around me.

Just like you, I agree that our identities are not limited to the place we currently live in, where we were born, or where we grew up; they are a culmination of our experiences and family heritage and are a part of what makes us unique. Learning about Indian values and traditions is a beautiful journey of self-discovery, and I find comfort in knowing that there are others, like you and Fiorella, who share similar experiences.

Today, when asked the question “Where are you from?” Instead of attempting to provide a simple one-word answer, I take the opportunity to share my journey through different cultures and the countries that have been an integral part of my life. I proudly acknowledge my Indian heritage while also showing gratitude for the Japanese customs and American values that have shaped my present day self. I have come to realize that my story cannot be explained by a single place; rather, it is a beautiful mosaic of influences from the various cultures that have touched my life.

Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us that our identities are all unique, and our ability to embrace diversity can lead to a richer, more connected world.

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IELTS essay, topic: What are the difficulties of learning a foreign language, and how to overcome them?

• IELTS Essays - Band 8

Many people believe that learning a foreign language is a very difficult task. What are the most difficult things about learning a foreign language? What is the best way to overcome them? Explain and include your personal experience or knowledge of these problems.

It is true that acquiring new language skills is by no means an easy task. Language learners might encounter several challenges such as unfamiliar accents or grammar structures a foreign language. However, in my opinion, such difficulties can be tackled by a well-rounded education system.

When it comes to languages, it is undeniably crucial to get used to a native accent and intonation for effective communication. However, picking up an accurate accent can be enormously difficult, especially for adult learners because of their lack of language learning ability. If a language learner has an unrecognisable accent and intonation, they would not be understood by native speakers. On top of that, each language has different grammar and typical grammatical sequencing of words. For example, Korean sentences always end with verbs whilst English not, which means that a Korean English-learner should the correct order of words.

Despite the aforementioned difficulties, I strongly believe that everyone can master a foreign language when a couple of feasible steps are taken. Firstly, it is more important than anything to start learning a new language at a young age. By incorporating foreign language programmes in the primary school curriculum, children can easily be exposed to languages of the world and eventually acquire language skills without difficulties. Secondly, the government can financially subsidise schools to run student exchange programmes that help adolescents to get experiences abroad and make friends overseas while improving their foreign language in a way.

In conclusion, I believe that individuals can have difficulties in learning a new language because of different accents and unfamiliar grammar, however, these problems can be overcome by a good quality of education system subsidised by governments.

The writer covered the task by talking about some difficult aspects of learning a new language and steps to overcome them. The ideas are presented in an orderly way, their logical sequencing and the use of paragraphing make this essay easy to follow. Skillful use of linking words and expressions helps the writer maintain coherence and cohesion. Word choice needs some more attention in this essay (see suggested corrections for expressions underlined in blue), however, overall this essay seems to be worthy of IELTS Band 8.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

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2 thoughts on “IELTS essay, topic: What are the difficulties of learning a foreign language, and how to overcome them?”

yoo, writer didn’t cover the topic entirely, cuz he didn’t add his own experience

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Is English Hard to Learn?

Learning any new language is difficult for most people, and the English language is no exception. Becoming fluent in English requires a lot of commitment, time, and practice. 

Although it’s hard work, there are so many benefits that come with learning English! English is widely spoken all around the world, so you will have countless opportunities to apply your language skills. As a fluent English speaker, you can attend some of the most prestigious universities, travel the world easily, access more employment opportunities, enjoy endless entertainment, and so much more. 

Although learning English can be hard, there are lots of things you can do to make learning the English language easier. If you have the right attitude, English program , resources, and support, learning English can even be fun! 

Is English hard to learn? Well, it depends… 

English is easier for some people to learn than for others. How hard it will be for you to learn English depends on a wide variety of factors. 

Some of these factors are outside of your control, such as your native language and how similar it is to English, what other languages you speak, your learning style, and your natural talent. For example, if you’re a native Spanish speaker, English will be easier for you to learn than a language from a different family with a different alphabet, like Mandarin. 

Other factors are easier to control and depend on your environment and your attitude, such as your commitment to learning English, where you study, how you study, how much you study, the learning resources available to you, and the support available to you, among others. For example, it will be easier to learn a language if you are living in a country where they speak that language and you hear it all the time. 

No matter what your native language is, PELA provides all the support you need to make learning English as easy as possible. It’s much easier to learn English when you are studying in an English-speaking environment, where you can completely immerse yourself in the language and gain real-world practice every single day. 

How Hard Is It to Learn English Compared to Other Languages?

Some languages are notoriously tricky to learn, like Japanese, Chinese, and Russian. Generally speaking, English is also considered to be a challenging language, though not quite as complex as some. Compared to some languages, English has a large vocabulary, tricky grammar, and challenging pronunciation. 

It will definitely be easier to learn English if your native language is in the same language family. Most languages in the world belong to a language family. English is part of the West Germanic language group, which also includes Dutch and German. This group stems from the more broad Indo-European language family, which also includes romance languages like Spanish, French, and Italian. Because they are in the same family, these languages share many similarities. 

Fortunately, English is a non-tonal language, which does make things easier for most people! With tonal languages, like Chinese and Vietnamese, the pitch is used to distinguish word meanings. A word said with a high pitch may have a different meaning than the same word said with a low pitch, which can make things confusing. You don’t have to worry about this when practicing your English speaking skills. 

Another plus side of learning English is that it’s very prevalent all around the world, and it’s one of the most popular languages to learn. This means that there are countless learning resources available! Many popular television shows, movies, and music are made in English, so there are many opportunities to practice your English listening and comprehension skills. 

Reasons Why English Is Hard to Learn

It’s important to know what challenges you might face when learning English so that you can prepare yourself and focus on overcoming them from the very beginning. Here are a few of the specific things that make English difficult to learn for many people: 

Grammatical Concepts

English is known for having some grammatical quirks and irregularities that make it a difficult language to perfect. Some of the most challenging English grammatical concepts to learn are auxiliary verbs, subject-verb agreement, verb patterns, tenses, phrasal verbs, and prepositions. Practicing reading and writing in English regularly will help you understand English grammar more quickly. 

English is known for having a very large vocabulary compared to many other languages – possibly even the largest, though it’s difficult to measure this. Many different languages have contributed to the English vocabulary (some words have Germanic roots, others have Greek roots, some have Latin roots, etc.) There are many synonyms and antonyms to learn when studying English, so the thesaurus is a great resource when you are trying to expand your vocabulary.

Pronunciation

One of the most challenging parts of learning English for many people is pronunciation. In the English language, there are several ways to pronounce words that have almost identical letter combinations and many words contain silent letters. Other languages, like Spanish, have much more straightforward pronunciations. This is why real-world conversation practice is so important when trying to learn English; practice truly makes perfect! 

Tips for Mastering Difficult to Learn Languages

Although learning a new language might seem intimidating, it can actually be fun and easy if you have the right resources and support! 

Our number one tip for learning any new language is to study abroad in a country that speaks that language so that you can get practical, real-world experience. Studying abroad is proven to be one of the best ways to completely immerse yourself in a language and improve your skills more quickly. From talking to your host family, to ordering off a menu at a restaurant, to listening to the news on the radio… you will be gaining practice and learning new vocabulary every single day, both inside and outside of the classroom. 

In terms of specific studying tips, the 3 x 3 method is one of the best ways to build your language skills quickly. This method uses any kind of audio or video with subtitles or a written transcript that you can turn off and on. Here are the basic steps to follow: 

First, watch and listen to the video a few times (at least 2-3) without the subtitles turned on. 

Next, listen a few more times with subtitles turned on, and try to read the words while the person is speaking them. You can pause the video to look up phrases or words that you don’t understand. To improve your speaking skills, you can even read the words out loud along with the person in the video and try to mimic their pronunciation. 

Lastly, turn the subtitles off again and challenge yourself to watch the video again. This time, really pay attention to how the speaker is using their English and the intonation of their voice. 

For best results, repeat this entire process with several videos about similar topics. 

Practice regularly with this 3×3 method, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly your English skills improve! This method works for any language, so long as you can find videos with subtitles to practice with. 

10 More Tips to Learn English Quickly  

Below are a few more general tips to help you improve your English listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills  as quickly as possible:  

1. Read real-world articles on a wide range of different topics and subjects regularly. 

2. Practice skimming and scanning paragraphs and then summarizing the key topics and main focus. 

3. Study synonyms and antonyms of verbs and adjectives. The website Thesaurus.com is a great resource to help with your vocabulary! 

4. Join a conversation group or club where you can practice speaking and listening skills with other students. 

5. Try writing in a journal every day. Writing in a journal has many mental health benefits too, like reducing stress and improving memory. 

6. When speaking, focus on emphasizing the most important “content words” in any sentence to sound more like a native English speaker. 

7. Subscribe to podcasts or Youtube channels in English and listen to them on your commute to work or school. 

8. Travel as much as you can and practice your language skills in a real-world setting. Start conversations with strangers whenever you get the opportunity. 

9. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You’ll never improve your speaking skills if you’re too scared to speak up! So it’s important to try to keep a positive attitude. You will slowly gain confidence over time, especially if you learn to laugh about your mistakes and try not to take yourself too seriously. 

10. Ask lots of questions! Not only will asking questions help you understand confusing concepts, but it will also help you improve your speaking skills. 

If you choose to study with PELA, our passionate teachers and tutoring center will share many more tips with you to make learning English as easy as possible! 

Is English Hard to Learn with PELA?

As you can see, learning English is definitely difficult for most people, but it will be so much easier if you have a lot of support, resources, encouragement, and lots of opportunities to practice. 

Studying with PELA in Portland, Oregon, you will improve your English skills much more quickly and easily than you could if you were trying to learn on your own. You will be studying and living in an English-speaking environment, where you can practice English throughout the day, both inside and outside of the classroom. 

If you want to improve even more quickly, you will also have the opportunity to attend extra classes, conversation groups, tutoring sessions, and extracurricular activities and events. Plus, you will have supportive teachers to help you and share plenty of tips along the way. 

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Essay and Paragraph on Importance of Learning English

English is the international language. That is why there is no alternative to English for communication. At present, English is being taught to students in schools all over the world. It is also common practice for test-takers to make write essays and paragraphs on the importance of learning English. Here we have shared a bunch of essays and paragraphs on various aspects of this topic, such as: Essay on the Importance of Learning English, Essay on How to Learn English Well, Paragraph on the Importance of Learning English, Paragraph on the Necessity of Learning English, Paragraph on How to Learn English, Paragraph on How to Improve Speaking Power in English, Paragraph on Failure in English, Paragraph on How to Learn English Well, etc.

Table of Contents

Essay on Importance of Learning English, 400 Words

By: Haque ; For class 9-12/SSC-HSC; 28-02-’22

English is an international language. In this modern age, almost every person needs to learn English in some way or another. So, it is necessary for every one of us to learn English. Some of the reasons for learning English are as follows:

• English is the most widely spoken language all over the world. If we want to communicate with a foreigner then we will have to consider English as the means of communication. In our home country, we have to communicate with many foreign businessmen, tourists, consultants, statesmen, bureaucrats, and specialized persons. For such communication, the best choice is English.
• Some of us may need to visit a foreign country as a tourist or in connection with our employment, career, or education. There we will need to talk and communicate with the people of that particular country in English. English is so widely used language all over the world that even in a country where English is not the first language, we can convey our feelings and necessity to others in English.
• In the field of technology, English is the predominantly used language. Almost all the technical words are in English. If we want to read the manual of a machine, we will certainly find it in English.
• Internet is called the superhighway of information. On internet, we will find all the information in English. So, if we want to use the internet and collect information, we must use English.
• English has become indispensable in higher education. We will find reference books on every field of learning in English. So, for getting higher education, we cannot do without English.
• English can be our first choice as a medium of education if we want to receive a foreign degree. Considering the wide use and store of information, we cannot think of anything else better than English.
• We need English for securing a good job and developing our career. It is almost impossible to work in a good firm or in a good position without knowing English because in a responsible post one will need to do certain things such as using computers, communicating with prospective clients and customers, using the internet, etc. which are not possible without English.

If we consider the above points, there could be no disagreement on the fact that English is essential for every one of us.

Essay on How to Learn English Well

In 340 words, For class 9-10/SSC

English is not only the international language but also the most widely spoken language today. That’s why it is considered the world language. Whether our mother tongue is Bangla, Arabic, Persian, or German, we all have to learn a little bit of English. It is essential in various fields like education, research, communication, etc. But most of the students in our country can’t learn English well. Some of them are afraid of their English subject. Here I would like to give some tips on how to learn English well and how to get good marks in English.

The first and foremost duty of a student is to attend his English classes regularly and listen to what his teachers say in the classes. Without listening to the subject attentively, none can find any interest in it.

Secondly, students must first learn to read English with the correct pronunciation, then learn the basic rules of the grammar needed to understand it. If they can read the English text and understand it fairly, then gradually their fears will go away. Then they can pick up English children’s storybooks. Sometimes they should try to read an English daily newspaper . Besides these, students have to make the habit of listening to the radio and TV at the time of English news. This will make it easier for them to learn English.

Thirdly, students have to write frequently what they have learned. To learn a language, it is very helpful to try to write a little in that language. Because writing anything makes a man perfect. If they try to write diaries in simple words and short sentences, they will gradually become familiar with the English language character.

Finally, students should try to speak English with their friends and classmates. This will help them to speak English well. Besides, students have to use the dictionary to know the meaning of the difficult words. I believe, if anybody follows the above methods he will soon feel easy to read, write, and speak English well.

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A Paragraph on the Importance of Learning English

In 125 words, for class 5-8

Write a paragraph on the necessity of learning English. Focus the demand of English as an international language. Mention the charms and advantages of knowing good English.

English is a medium of international communication, cooperation, and co-existence. In higher studies, in international trade and commerce, in the international conferences of the UN or SAARC , English plays a vital role. Even to introduce one’s own native literature to the whole world English translation of the literacy work is essential. A pilot has to contact the control towers of foreign airports in English. A postman has to read the address of foreign letters which are written in English. Telephone operators, tourist guides and attendants in big hotels must have a good command of English. To widen the sphere of knowledge and to keep pace with all the developing and developed countries of the world, we have to take up the learning of English as a challenge.

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Importance of Learning English Paragraph, 200 Words

By: Haque | For 9-10/SSC

Learning English is essential for a variety of reasons. It is the most widely spoken language in the world and of international communication. Having a good command of English will open up many opportunities for you, both personally and professionally. It is the language of business and technology, and it is essential for anyone who wants to succeed in these fields. English is the language of education, and most of the world’s best universities teach in English. Knowing English will also allow you to access a vast amount of information and entertainment, including books, films, and music. English literature is very rich. Most of the great writers of the world are English. Creative works in all other languages are also available in English translation. Also, English is the language of diplomacy, so it is important for anyone who wants to work in government or international organizations. In short, learning English will help you communicate with people from all over the world and will open up countless opportunities for you. If you have the desire and effort to learn English, you will certainly succeed. Because English is easy to learn compared to other languages. It is a valuable investment in your future, and it is something that you will never regret.

A Paragraph on the Necessity of Learning English

In 160 words, For class 7-10

English is the prime language of the world. The language is being used in most of the countries of the world. Even English is being used as a medium of communication between two countries whose language is not English. That is why it is very reasonable to call English an international language. It is difficult to live at this age without knowing English. No good job can be found without proficiency in English. English is required to be a postman, telephone operator, tourist, tour guide, pilot, nurse , waiter, or receptionist. Even if you don’t know English, you can’t fully operate even a little mobile phone . International and diplomatic affairs of all countries of the world are done in English. English is required in airport management. Foreigners come to quality hotels, so its providers have to know English. In this age of computers and information technology, not knowing English is like being blind. Therefore, we all need to learn English.

A Paragraph on How to Learn English

In 150 words, For class 7-10, 24-02-’22

For learning English we will have to do certain things. First of all, we will have to learn the familiar words, some useful sentences, and the basic grammatical rules. For this purpose, we will need help from an efficient teacher. Secondly, we will have to create a habit of reading English books and newspapers . At first one should study the easy books and regularly learn new words and phrases. Thirdly, we will have to listen to English news and discussions on radio and TV . Then we will have to pronounce the words and sentences as we have heard them. Fourthly, we ought to practice freehand writing on specific topics. We need to find out mistakes in our writing and correct them. At last, we will have to practice our newly learned words, sentences, and grammatical rules in the classroom and with our friends .

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A Paragraph on How to Improve Speaking Power in English

Words: 135 | For class 5

English is a second language for most people. To master it, you must put in a lot of speaking practise. You begin by speaking to yourself in English. When you go to take a bath, for example, you should say, “I’m going to take a bath.” I’ve taken a bath” and similar phrases. Then you need to make sure you’re alone. Because he or she may refer to you as insane. Next, you must overcome your shyness and constantly practise speaking to yourself. After that, you must read more books and English daily newspapers to expand your vocabulary, as well as listen to others speak proper English. Finally, you will begin conversing with members of your family, friends, teachers, and anyone else. As a result, you will be able to improve your English speaking ability.

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A Paragraph on Importance of English

Words: 140 | For class 5-6

English has become a global language. The world has transformed into a global village. The various nations have grown close to one another and must communicate with one another. A common language is required for this communication. And English has attained the status of being a global language. It is the official language of international organizations such as the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Olympic Committee, among others. More than 80% of the data on the world’s computers is written in English. Many organizations require employees who are fluent in English. As a result, knowing English is required for a good job. Almost all books in various fields of science and technology are either written in English or translated into it. As a result, English is a requirement for higher education and global communication.

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A Paragraph on Failure in English

Words: 220 | For 9-10 (SSC)

Failure to succeed in English is a typical occurrence in our country. There are numerous reasons for students’ failures in English, and the reasons are not easy to find. First and foremost, our educational system is flawed. Our country’s English textbooks are not appropriate for our kids. Second, the students are uninterested in learning English. They believe that learning English is a waste of time. In addition, English is a foreign language. It appears to them to be difficult. As a result, they are eager to learn English. They believe it is a waste of time. Third, the majority of so-called English teachers are not fluent in the language. They lack competence and training. They are unable to teach the students in a scientific manner. Fourth, the students simply memorize the answers. They forget what they have crammed in the examination hall. As a result, the responses they write are inaccurate. These are the reasons why our country’s pupils flunk English. Our flawed educational system has to be reformed and improved. English textbooks should be appropriate for students. It is important to encourage students to study English. More qualified and experienced instructors should be hired in schools and institutions. English teachers should be fluent in the language. They should use scientific teaching methods in the classroom. They should give their lecture in straightforward, clear English.

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Words: 250 | For HSC

The necessity of learning English is not a hyperbole in the age of globalization. English is an international language. It opens windows to the entire world. It is widely spoken in the world. Being fluent in English is certainly a plus point in today’s globalised world. In the job market, English is given more priority. It is the official or semi-official language in more than 60 countries and of many international organizations need employers who speak and write a standard form of English. We can learn the current goings-on in every corner of the world instantly through reading English newspapers and journals. World literature, culture, sports, politics, geographical locations and the latest updates are made available in English language. Today more than 80% of all the information in the world’s computers is in English. To get any information from internet English is a must. So if we don’t know English, we will fail to keep pace with the progressive force of the world. Without English language the present world could not reach its present heights. The language of science, arts, commerce, business, mercantile transactions, diplomacy and even conflict management and peace overtures is English. So, English is being used more popularly, for its international acceptance. English, as a gateway to social and economic upward mobility, is. recognized as part of the current reality. Moreover, a student must have efficiency on the skills of English to do well in the exam. Actually the importance of learning English is undeniable for its benefits the world population is gaining.

A Paragraph on How to Learn English Well

Words: 100 | For Class 5

English is an international language. For learning English we will have to do certain things. First of all we will have to learn the familiar word, some useful sentence and the basic grammatical rule. For this purpose we will need the help of good English teacher. Secondly we will make habit of reading English book and English newspaper. Thirdly we try to listen English news and watch English movie regularly. We should try to practice freehand writing on specific topic. Spelling is another important thing for learning English. By following these we can learn English very easily.

Check out: 300+ Essays & Paragraphs in English

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning English

There are many ways to learn English, but some effective methods include:

• Immersing yourself in the language by surrounding yourself with English speakers or watching English-language media.
• Practicing speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English as much as possible.
• Using language learning apps, websites, and software.
• Taking an English course or hiring a tutor for personalized instruction.
• Reading books, newspapers, and magazines in English to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
• Regularly watching English-language films and TV shows with English subtitles to improve listening skills.
• Keeping a journal in English to practice writing.
• It’s also important to be patient and persistent, as learning a new language takes time and practice.

Here are some tips for learning English by yourself:

• Immerse yourself in the language by watching English-language TV shows, films, and videos on YouTube.
• Listen to English-language music and podcasts to improve your listening and comprehension skills.
• Use language learning apps and websites, such as Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise, to practice grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
• Read English-language books, newspapers, and magazines to improve your vocabulary and comprehension.
• Practice speaking by recording yourself and then listening to the recording to identify areas for improvement.
• Write in English by keeping a journal or writing emails to native speakers.
• Take advantage of online resources, such as English-language news websites, forums, and social media groups, to connect with native speakers and practice your conversation skills.
• Be consistent with your practice and make a schedule for yourself, Try to spend a certain amount of time each day on learning English.
• Be patient with yourself, learning a new language takes time and practice.
• Lastly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, they are an important part of the learning process.

There could be several reasons why your English may not be improving. Here are a few possibilities:

• Lack of practice: Learning a new language requires consistent practice and effort. If you’re not dedicating enough time to practicing speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English, it will be difficult to make progress.
• Not challenging yourself: If you’re only practicing at a level that is too easy for you, you may not be challenging yourself enough to make significant improvements.
• Not focusing on your weaknesses: Everyone has different areas of strength and weakness when learning a new language. It’s important to identify your specific areas of difficulty and focus on them in order to improve.
• Limited exposure to the language: Being immersed in the language and surrounding yourself with native speakers is one of the most effective ways to improve your skills. If you’re not getting enough exposure to English, it will be harder to make progress.
• Not getting feedback: It’s important to get feedback on your language skills in order to identify areas for improvement. If you’re not getting feedback, you may not be aware of your mistakes or areas of difficulty.
• Not being patient: Learning a new language takes time, and progress may not always be linear. It’s important to be patient and persistent, and not to get discouraged if you’re not seeing improvement as quickly as you would like.

It’s also important to consult with a language teacher or tutor, They can help you identify your problem areas and develop a plan to improve.

The amount of time it takes to learn English can vary depending on several factors, including an individual’s prior knowledge of the language, their learning style, and the amount of time they dedicate to studying. On average, it can take approximately 600-750 hours of study to become proficient in English, or roughly 20-30 weeks of study if done full-time. However, it is important to note that becoming fluent in a language is a lifelong process and one can always continue to improve their proficiency.

• Start with a clear topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph.
• Use specific examples and details to support the main idea.
• Use transition words and phrases to connect sentences and ideas.
• Use a variety of sentence structures to make the paragraph more interesting.
• Use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling to ensure your paragraph is clear and easy to understand.
• Revise and proofread your paragraph to catch any errors.
• End the paragraph with a conclusion sentence that summarize the main points.
• Practice regularly with native speakers or language exchange partners to improve fluency and accuracy.

About the Author

A teacher, writer and blogger, started allparagraph noting students search online for paragraphs on various topics, short and simple essays , edifying stories and other materials of study . In composing these lessons we have tried to use as simple language as possible, keeping young students in mind. If you find any text inappropriate, please let us know so we can make it more useful through necessary corrections and modifications. Thank you!

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Is English Easy to Learn?

If so, you’re not alone. English students all over the world are lamenting at the difficulty of the English language, with its irregular verb tenses and spelling that doesn’t seem to follow a logical pattern. But is it really as difficult as it seems?

leia este a tradução do texto em português

Why English is Hard

There is strong evidence to support the claim that English is a difficult language to learn. English has a crazy spelling system and it seems like every word makes up its own pronunciation rules, because English has borrowed so many words from other languages. In order to know how to read the spelling you have to know which language it comes from or have previously heard the correct pronunciation.

Irregular verbs in English are seemingly complex and are often a headache for English language learners. Why is the past tense of “buy”  “bought”, and why is the past tense of “sell” “sold.” Why aren’t “buyed” nor “selled” real words?

In English, questions are made by changing the order of the words, something that doesn’t exist in other languages like Portuguese. Many Brazilians will say “You are American?” instead of the correct “Are you American?” Word order is not only important when asking questions, but when describing nouns as well. English has very subtle word ordering rules that make “A cute little brown dog” correct to say, whereas “A brown cute little dog” would be incorrect.

Why English is Easy

Despite these difficulties, English is actually the easiest language in the world to learn. You may think I’m crazy for saying this but allow me to explain.

Unlike other languages, English has no cases, no gender, no word agreement, and arguably has a simple grammar system. English speakers sometimes have difficulties when learning Portuguese because they are not used to words having genders.

The reason why English is the easiest language to learn is because of the vast selection of English resources to learn from, including TV shows, movies, music, podcasts , books and websites . English is the most studied foreign language in the world and there are a ton of resources available to help speakers of each specific language learn English. There are thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of books written about learning English as a foreign language that you can use to improve. In addition there are a ton of great English learning blogs on theinternet.

Studying from a book will only get you so far though; you need to get contact to the real language as it’s spoken by native speakers in order to speak the best English. You need to make a lifestyle out of English where you listen to music, watch TV and read in English every day. The popularity of English pop culture means that you don’t have to look very far in order to find English language resources that you can incorporate into your daily life.

English will seem easy for you when you stop looking at it as something mechanical and start connecting to the culture that it comes from . You need to connect to the language on a deeper level by absorbing media produced in English.

There are hundreds of TV shows in English that you can watch for free online to help improve your language abilities. Watching an episode of the TV show Friends every day can drastically improve your English, and it will help you understand the culture that comes with the language. No other language can boast so many different types of TV shows that guarantee there will be something that everyone will enjoy. I’ve found it difficult to find good TV shows to learn Portuguese with, since most TV shows in Brazil are novelas. If you know of a good Brazilian TV show, please let me know in the comments.

It’s All in Your Head

Truth be told, it is pointless to ask whether English is a difficult language or an easy language to learn. If you want to believe that English is a difficult language then you will find reasons to justify your belief that it is hard to learn. But if you believe that it is easy to learn then you will find reasons to justify that belief.

What is most important to ask is if you are willing to devote yourself to the process of learning a language, which means having daily contact with the language and incorporating it into your lifestyle. Anything that is seemingly difficult can be accomplished if you consistently apply yourself to it and are committed to the end result. NASA didn’t bother asking whether it was difficult to put a man on the moon, they asked whether it is possible and found ways to make it happen.

Language learning is not a destination with a clear path to follow, it is a journey that will lead you down many different paths. There are many paths to fluency but what they all have in common is that YOU are the one who has to walk down them. YOU are the one who sets your pace; YOU are the one who is responsible at the end of the day for failure or success.

Do you think English is an easy language to learn? How do you approach learning a new language?

In my opinion it’s not all about “learning” English , of course it’s a part to have in consideration , but what about the personal skills of the “student” ,it’s not the same someone shy than someone who is really sociable and self-confident. In my case it’s more about the fear of make a mistake and don’t have a correct feedback than the grammar,speach or pronunciation … I’ve never had English particular lessons, I’d studied basic english at school ten years ago and I can say I’m proud of my English , ever when I don’t have to speak directly with someone 😂

I know English, German, and a tiny bit of French and for me, English is definitely the easiest. I’d say English pronunciation is hard because rules change from word to word sometimes, but grammatically speaking, I find it easier than German, French, and my native language Spanish.

English as a a language is easy to learn…but the grammatical aspect is a nightmare. Sentence structures, and a lot of rules with special cases….

I LEARN THIS WHEN I WAS 3 OR 4 SO YES

English is easy to learn because of the Internet. But it’s extremely difficult to master.

Don’t give up, Simone! Try to find a way to enjoy the process 🙂 It will be easier then

If we practice it is easy language!

English is not easy for foreign learners.

But it is in their reach for sure, Cathrine!

Not esperanto crying in the background being the 4th most spoken language and the most spoken auxiliary languages which on average takes about half the time to learn as english which people have mastered in less than half a year

Hi Person! How come Esperanto is the 4th most spoken language?

English is too easy to learn if you started learning this language when you were a child. If you were already an adult (non-native speaker) that will be a big challenge for you.

It’s challenging and satisfying too!

It’s amazing article for me to learn somthing new & gather use information here. Thank you for motivating us.

aww yeah! Always happy to help!

English is only easy to learn if you disregard rules of usage and grammar. Saying English is easy is assuming the listener will grasp meaning regardless of the errors in delivery, which is only sometimes true. It takes a highly proficient speaker to decode the stumbling, nonsensical delivery of the neophyte — something that is becoming increasingly rare in America.

English may be easy to absorb in its barest form, but it is ridiculously difficult to master, even for native speakers. Otherwise, why bother offering a PhD in the language?

Thank you for sharing your opinion with us, Coda!

‘make “A cute little brown dog” correct to say, whereas “A brown cute little dog” would be incorrect.’

It’s true that a native speaker would never use the second form, but its meaning is still perfectly understandable, that’s what makes English easy. English is only hard for perfectionists.

Let’s keep far from perfectionism 😉 Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Bob.

English is the best language ever!

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