Challenges of Learning English as a Second Language

It is imperative to learn to effectively communicate in English in today’s world. Most English as a second language (ESL) learners encounter difficulties in learning and using English and progress very slowly overtime and their success wholly depend on their commitment to learning it. Most ESL learners enjoy learning in perfect learning situations, but this has not been the major reason they have attained high English proficiency levels and continue to make progress. Not every ESL leaner progresses effectively in English ability, and this impacts on the quality of life of learners in foreign native English speaking countries and in most cases become barriers to the learners’ success in those countries owing to social marginalization that serve to frustrate them as they seek to join the culture. This results in the learner feeling shame and embarrassment that inhibit their efforts to acquire the new language and in turn negatively affect their socialization experience.

Learners that have difficulties and progress slowly tend not to be aware of the reasons and problems that are behind the slow progress and have no knowledge on how to have them resolved. Their instructors and directors though are aware of the answers to these difficulties and it is important that they help the lagging adult learners make expected progresses, find out the most likely reasons behind their failures, make recommendations and help implement the recommendations for the learners to find it easy to overcome the barriers. Learning a language effectively involves a range of skills, abilities and practices. Due to this, problems associated with learning a language as a second language may be based in different areas, and the reasons may also be combined that contribute to lack of or slow progress among learners. ESL instructors must therefore get the complete picture for them to help determine the causes behind lack of progress and address them for the sake of the learner’s confidence, motivation and self image as they continue to learn the language.