What Are the Biggest Difficulties in Learning English? Master These 3 Frustrating Factors

Learning English can be a real challenge, especially for those who are not native speakers. The biggest difficulties in learning English often come from the language's complex grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Many students feel lost when trying to master these aspects of the language, but with some simple tricks and strategies, conquering these challenges can become a lot easier.

In this blog post, we will explore the three most frustrating factors that students face when learning English: vocabulary pronunciation, grammar rules, and conversation skills. We will provide expert tips on how to improve in each of these areas and offer a portable PDF that you can copy download to help you along the way. Whether you are just starting out or have been studying for years, our aim is to help you overcome the biggest difficulties in learning English and achieve your language goals. So let's dive in!

Suggestion: Conversational Level in a Language

Learning English can be a daunting task, especially when faced with difficult English topics. However, you can make learning easier by creating an English-learning group with friends. Group learning allows you to share the workload and tackle problematic areas together. You can meet up in different settings such as cafes, pubs, restaurants or parks, and use public transportation to get there together.

Studying alone at home can lead to stressful feelings and lack of motivation. In contrast, group studying makes learning more fun and interactive. You can create role-playing games that simulate real-world English situations, such as ordering food in a restaurant or taking part in a job interview. This way, you not only practice your listening and speaking skills but also improve your confidence when communicating in English.

To add some excitement to your study sessions, try playing a drinking game where each time someone uses a specific English word correctly, they get a point. The referee keeping score will add an element of competitiveness and encourage everyone to participate actively. With the help of your English-learning friends, conquering difficult topics becomes much easier than doing it on your own.

For another approach, see: Lifelong Learning

Learning English can feel confusing at times. There are innumerable examples of words that look the same, but have opposite meanings. For instance, a vegetarian eats vegetables, but a humanitarian may eat anything. When teachers taught us the English language, they didn't preachers praught us about these subtleties.

Native speakers rarely stop to think about these nuances, but for those of us who are learning English as a second language, it can be overwhelming. Speaking English fluently is not something that we can possibly begin to learn overnight. It takes time and practice to get there.

At the end of the day, feeling confused is just part of the process when you learn English. While it may seem daunting at first, with time and patience it will all start to make sense. So if you're struggling with your language skills right now, just keep practicing and one day you'll be speaking like a native!

Additional reading: Language Learning Plateaus

Learning English can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to understanding synonyms. While they may seem like interchangeable words, there are countless groups of English words that have multiple meanings and connotations. Just because you can swap words like "watch television" with "don't view television" doesn't mean they carry the same meaning or tone. For example, the word "elegant" could be used to describe a swan's elegant neck, but you couldn't swap it with the word "classic" in that context. When learning English, it's important to understand the nuances of each word and how they fit into different contexts – swapping them out wouldn't necessarily convey your intended message.

For more insights, see: Difficult Hard English Words

Learning English can be a struggle for students who speak a different home language. School supports, such as academic language classes, can help with these difficulties in learning English. However, it takes time to improve conversational skills and understand academic language.

Some common examples of struggles include hearing problems or thinking differences like ADHD. Stress, food insecurity, and lack of sleep at home can also impact a student's ability to learn. It's important for schools to test for these challenges and provide support when necessary.

If a student is showing signs of struggling with learning English, there are key questions families can ask the school about additional supports. Native English speakers may not recognize the typical ups and downs of learning a second language, so it's important for families to advocate for their child's needs. By working together with knowledgeable experts, we can help students succeed in mastering English as a core content subject.

For another approach, see: What Is Academic English

Research shows that providing support in a student's home language can greatly enhance their classroom learning. English kids who are struggling to keep up with the schools core content can benefit greatly from having a language ESL teacher who speaks their home language. Additionally, dual-language programs help kids build English skills while also maintaining and developing their proficiency in their native language.

The achievement gap between English learners and native English speakers can be narrowed by implementing culturally sustaining practices in the classroom. This means teachers put students' cultures at the center of their teaching, allowing for a more inclusive and engaging learning environment. Dual-language programs are one example of a culturally sustaining practice that not only helps teachers better understand students' cultural backgrounds but also helps students overcome language barriers. For more detail read on as an expert explains the benefits of supporting students' home language skills.

On a similar theme: Learn Japanese for Kids

If you or someone you know is a non-native English speaker having difficulties in learning English, it may be time for an evaluation. An evaluation can help determine if the difficulties are due to a learning disability or if they are just typical struggles for an English learner. Here are some questions to ask before starting an evaluation:

- What tests will be called?

- Who will be on the evaluation team, including any special education services schools can offer?

- Will a staff member observe the child in their regular classroom or ESL class?

- How was it decided that the child should be observed?

It's important to consider factors beyond just instructional interventions when evaluating a child's English skills. The school interviewed should take into account the child's education history, developmental milestones, medical history, and whether other family members have struggled with learning English. If necessary, a trained ESL or bilingual professional should be considered for testing. If your school doesn't answer these questions or isn't providing adequate support for your child's needs, it may be time to look into special education services.

A unique perspective: Benefits of Learning English

When learning English, one of the hardest things to grasp is the use of irregular verbs in the past tense. While applying existing knowledge may seem like a good idea, numerous exceptions make this task quite difficult. However, it's important to remember that there are always unusual cases and exceptions to the rules, and by embracing these challenges, we can make quick progress in our language learning journey.

Learning English can be tough, but the real challenge is getting real-life speaking practice. Without it, you won't get the full experience of learning English. If you don't live in an English-speaking region, finding native speakers to converse with can be a struggle.

However, it's crucial to find native speakers to practice your English conversations with. Nothing beats talking to a native speaker when it comes to learning a language. It helps you learn how to use proper grammar and pronunciation in an authentic way. By doing so, you'll achieve a better understanding of the language and speak with more confidence.

Feeling lots of pressure while trying to construct an English sentence? Don't worry! It's all part of the learning process. No one expects you to speak fluently right away. Just keep practicing, and eventually, speaking English will feel natural for you. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Discover more: English Language Subject Verb Agreement

If you find it difficult to practice speaking the English language, a language exchange app might be perfect for you. These online apps allow you to connect with native speakers from all over the world through text chat or video calls. You can practice speaking English from the comfort of your own home, in your favorite spot, perhaps even wearing comfortable pajamas!

Messaging native speakers on these popular apps is a convenient way to improve your English skills without leaving home. Many of them also have built-in tools like translation and correcting errors that make it easier to communicate with your tandem partner. Some even offer great language learning features similar to those of a professional tutor. You can speak English with native speakers and learn alongside watching native English media, so you won't feel like you're just memorizing vocabulary from a textbook.

Broaden your view: English Speakers

Are you struggling with learning English? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many people face difficulties when it comes to learning a new language. That's why we've created a helpful guide that provides tips and tricks to make the process easier.

By entering your e-mail address, you'll receive a free PDF that will help you improve your English skills in no time. Don't worry, we hate spam just as much as you do. Your email address is safe with us and will only be used to send you helpful resources like this one. So what are you waiting for? Enter your email now and start improving your English today!