Difficulties and problems in learning English

The following is one of a series of guest posts by Mike Shelby. Mike is a former ESL teacher who has been quietly (i.e., without his own blog) disseminating his thoughts on language learning around the internet for quite some time.

Different students can have different difficulties and problems in learning English. They can make different mistakes in English pronunciation, grammar, orthography, and vocabulary usage.

There is a connection between the native language of a learner and particular difficulties in learning and using English and the kind of mistakes a learner typically makes in English pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary as there is native-language interference in learning and using English.

Listening comprehension and speaking in English are the skills generally more frequently used than reading and writing in daily living in an English-speaking country. Listening comprehension and speaking in English are more difficult and more important for learners to master than reading and writing. When reading and writing a text, a learner has more time for thinking and pauses than when listening and speaking in English in daily living.

A learner can also look up unknown vocabulary in English dictionaries and use other English reference books when reading and writing a text in English, which is impossible when listening and speaking in English. Therefore listening comprehension and speaking in English are more difficult than reading and writing.

English vocabulary for daily living requires more time and is more difficult to master by foreign learners than English grammar.

I believe vocabulary is the most comprehensive and most difficult aspect of English for foreign learners to master thoroughly. They should first concentrate on learning the most frequently used and therefore most important English vocabulary for their practical real life needs.

Multiple-sense English words and synonyms present special difficulty for foreign learners. Other difficulties in learning and using English vocabulary include fixed-word collocations, phrasal verbs, idioms, proverbs, and regional differences in vocabulary usage. There are differences in English usage in English-speaking countries in terms of spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. I know some specialized books dealing with British- and American-English differences.

English usage can also be formal and informal. Formal English is the language of the mass media, education, business, economy, commerce, technology, science, etc. Informal English includes colloquial, slang, and dialect usage. It is harder for foreign learners to master informal than formal English vocabulary.

Thematic general English dictionaries combined with English synonym dictionaries are a valuable tool for mastering English vocabulary logically, comprehensively, and intensively for the real-life needs of learners. Extensive reading on a variety of topics is another effective method for expanding English vocabulary knowledge by learners of English.

I highly recommend that learners read the reference book titled Practical English Usage by Michael Swanto reduce making mistakes in English.