Issues In Learning English as a Second Language
- Some languages like Spanish, German, and French use the same or similar alphabet as English. Others like Chinese and Japanese have a completely different alphabet. Students whose primary language uses letters and sounds similar to English will have a much easier time learning ESL than those whose does not. Asian students must learn to recognize letters and vowel combinations first, whereas other students may already know these letters and sounds.
- Typically people understand a second language before being able to speak it. Therefore, students may be able to read or listen to English and understand it well before being able to speak or write it. When first learning ESL, the brain recognizes the word or phrase and translates it to the primary language for comprehension. This process takes time, so students may seem quiet and take a while to respond while translating English to the primary language.
- Since the brain translates English into the primary language, it is common for students learning ESL to mix words and phrases. Additionally language grammar rules and phrases are different. For instance, if a Hispanic girl learning ESL sees the phrase "raining cats and dogs," the literal translation to Spanish is "Iluvia gatos y perro." However, the conversational translation to Spanish is "Llueve a cantaros," which means it is raining heavily, the same meaning as raining cats and dogs. The literal translation of "Llueve a cantaros" to English is "It is raining pitchers."
- As students become more familiar with the second language, it is common for them to switch back and forth mid-sentence without knowing it. Once the brain learns a second language, it no longer translates it into the primary language, but instead understands it upon reading or hearing it. Students may begin a sentence in English and finish it in their primary language without realizing it. This is a sign of learning advancement.
- The old saying of "if you don't use it, you lose it" applies to language as well as other skills. Students learning ESL may want to immerse themselves in the English language; however, they are then at risk for losing some of their primary language skills. Students should still use their primary language while learning ESL.