Among the many facts that are often overlooked when it comes to learning English as your secondary language, one is that it has a very large vocabulary. English has around one million words, which makes it much more difficult to master than other languages. Many of these words are also difficult to understand if you do not know what they mean.
Another fact is that adults have a distinct advantage over younger learners. They have more life experience and may be able to master words more quickly than their younger counterparts. However, they lack the tools that younger learners have for proper language development, like better memory.
In general, it takes around five years to acquire academic English. If you are learning English, you know the struggle. While you learn, you may require translation for your school or work. This is something translationreport.com can help you with. This organization investigates, rates and reviews only translation companies that deliver amazing results in English translation.
Similarly, social language is acquired faster than academic English. However, the gap between the two is considerable. Moreover, a newcomer learner may go through a “silent period” during which they do not speak the language. However, they are still in an important stage of language development and should be given sufficient time to develop the skills necessary for a fluent communication.
Why learn English?
Among the many benefits of learning English, many have stated that it is crucial to be employable. According to a British Council study, by 2020, two billion people will be studying or speaking English as a second language. Moreover, English is the official language in 65 countries and is used in many other places. In fact, it is more important than French, Spanish, Italian, and all other languages put together!
While English is the world’s most utilized tongue, it is also used by a couple of G7 countries. Therefore, as more services move online in today’s world, the need for people who can speak English will increase. In addition to the economic benefits of learning English, it also opens many doors to travel abroad and interact with billions of people. Therefore, there is no better time than now to learn the language of the people around the world.
Pronunciation of English is not an easy task. Often, it takes a lot of practice and listening to understand what people are saying. Imitate them to gain the confidence you need to master the language. Learning to speak the language fluently will require time and patience. It will take a long time, but it is definitely possible. Remember that mistakes make you smarter and lower the chances of making the same mistakes again.
The Origin of the English Vocabulary
Before you start learning new words, you should understand the origin of the English language. In the early days of English, the language was a mixture of Latin and Germanic languages. As the language evolved, the British used both languages. However, their linguistic style differed. In many areas of the world, the pronunciation of English words is very different from those of the local languages. Today, you can find various English words alongside those of Germanic and Latin origin.
In addition, English lost grammatical gender and most noun cases, except the genitive case, which is used to denote ownership. English spelling conventions developed in the last 200 years and verb conjugations were simplified to two present tense forms and past tense. This change caused the English language to undergo the Great Vowel Shift, during which more than half of the English vowels got new pronunciations.
In 1066, William the Conqueror (also known as William of Normandy) invaded England and set up a new ruling class. The Normans brought with them a new vocabulary, including words of prestige, government, fancy things, and even the names of half of the months. The French language also influenced English grammar, and many of the words used today are from this era. It’s important to understand the history of the English language to know what words are most common in modern English.
Challenges in Learning English
When you first start to learn a new language, there are many challenges that you’ll face. Depending on your native language, these challenges may vary. For instance, you might have trouble learning the sounds of a foreign language or the correct pronunciation of words. But you’re not alone! English shares many similarities with other Latin languages and learners may experience these issues, too. Luckily, there are several ways to overcome these difficulties.
Listening can be a challenge when learning English. When you’re learning a new language, you may feel embarrassed when trying to ask for things. Even the simplest requests can seem impossible in a new language. Practicing as much as you can is essential to overcome these challenges and make progress. Practice speaking the language out loud, wherever possible. This will help you overcome the language barrier and help you communicate with others. However, practicing a new language can be a difficult task, and you’ll need a support system if you want to achieve a successful learning experience.
The most challenging aspect of learning a new language is the mental process. Translating complicated structures into your native language requires a lot of mental energy. You’ll also have to learn how to think in a different language. Learning a language like English takes dedication and time. And it’s best to learn it in a specialized course designed to solve the challenges that students face.
Another common challenge that English language learners face is spelling. Many words have silent letters or spellings that sound similar, so it’s difficult for a learner to distinguish one word from another. Many learners struggle to pronounce the “ph” sound, which is not present in many African languages. This can be a major challenge to overcome and can take a lot of practice.
Regardless of the challenges students face when learning English, the key is to remember that this is a process that can be improved. Those who teach English as a second language should know that the process is not like teaching students other subjects. Learning English is a process of building skills, and various resources are available to support students in their journey. Learning English as a second language will require time, effort, and persistence.