3 Challenges of Learning English and How to Overcome Them
There is no denying that learning an additional language can present challenges; the good news is that overcoming these challenges and pursuing a course of study can bring many significant and lucrative advantages.
Of all the possible languages to learn English brings its own difficulties and challenges, but is well worth knowing because it is arguably the most commonly spoken and used language for communication. Credible and high quality English courses can provide a thorough and effective way to learn English.
In this article, we look at some of the most significant challenges of learning English and strategies that can be used to overcome them.
1: The way that the language reads and is spoken are different
Very often the way that English text appears on the page and the way that is pronounced and delivered are quite different. For non-native speakers of English, this can understandably be very challenging and quite confusing.
One way to overcome this challenge is to participate in a range of speech related learning activities. The Internet makes a wonderful contribution here as a number of different online speaking and listening activities can be accessed, where participants can listen and then use small sentences to speak.
Online as well as offline programs have been created to focus the learning of English in this way and are designed to provide a listening opportunity followed by the opportunity to put sentences together, rather than trying to memorise and combine separate, individual words.
2: Fluent, spoken English is challenging to decipher and interpret
In the specialised context of the classroom of an English course, it is common for spoken English to be delivered slowly and exceptionally clearly. Students of English find that when they are removed from this situation and trying to speak and understand English in more general settings, making sense of the language is all the more difficult.
One of the best and most successful tips for overcoming this challenge is to talk with English speakers as often as possible. In fact, engaging in conversation about all sorts of topics can be remarkably educational, and also a lot of fun.
Talking with English speakers can be fun, entertaining, educationally beneficial and very significant in building your confidence and oral proficiency. You will achieve the best outcomes when you are able to practice your oral language skills with a fluent and accurate speaker who will allow you the freedom to make mistakes, but will also provide you with guidance to overcome any mistakes you may make. Great speaking partners will also congratulate you on the achievements and progress you make as you become more confident and proficient with the English language.
3: Colloquialisms and slang confuse understanding of the English language
Some students of English find that there is a lot of slang and colloquial language that is used when English is spoken in less formal contexts. Having studied the formal and correct forms of English, this can be remarkably confusing, but there are ways to understand the difference between formal and casual language.
Some students recommend that students of English watch television programs and listen to radio stations in which English is spoken. While you may not fully understand every exchange that takes place and every word that is spoken, watching and listening to television and radio can help you to gain an appreciation of the conversations taking place and the tone and intonation that underpins them.
English can be a challenging language to learn, but the resulting benefits more than outweigh the difficulties. People learning English can benefit from taking every opportunity to read, listen and speak the English language and of course, putting the skills and knowledge learnt into practice is critically important.
