The Challenges of Learning a Second Language
Learning the English Language
The afore cited challenge comes from the fact that both the teacher and the student think in their native language, then mentally make translations of their thoughts and try to communicate to each other in a language which is alien to them. That language is English in this particular instance.
Aside from the foregoing challenge there is also that challenge of enhancing ones speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English.
Speaking is the skill or ability to communicate in English orally; listening is the skill or ability to process the information received; reading is the skill or ability to place and derive meaning from the printed page; writing is a skill of putting one's ideas on paper. Mastery or achieving facility in all the aforementioned aspect of the English language is challenging indeed. It requires practice. Lots and lots of practice. In addition, it also requires dedication and effort. One has to work hard to learn anything. The same is true in learning a second language.
There are approaches or means of learning English as a second language. The first approach is by knowing that learning English or any second language, for that matter, consists more of the acquisition of a set of habits, rather than an intellectual mastery of the technical aspect of English which is grammar, structural pattern, phonetics etc. Complicated? Let us simplify it then: one learns English, or any second language, by using it, in accord with the principle that practice makes perfect, which, in itself, is another challenge.
Published by Tussy
I first saw the light of day on the 19th day of November in the Pearl of the Orient Seas. Born and bred a Roman Catholic and received Catholic education from the primary on to the secondary until I finished... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentI appreciate your willingness to learn English.
We adopted a child from another country and learning English was hard because he was not a baby any more. As you noted, it can be very hard work!
I have heard that the English language is the hardest to learn. I, myself, have always wanted to speak Spanish. But with no one to talk to in the language, it's impossible. Great article.
Learning a second language is a challenge. It's hard enough to master the fine points of English. Great job!
Excellent points!