What's the hardest part about learning English as a foreign language?

Question

I have a very advanced student (one-on-one) and I'm running out of things to teach him!

Thanks to everyone for all the great answers! It seems like he's got most of your points covered (e.g. his pronunciation is very good, with just enough of an accent to sound, um, rather appealing; he definitely knows the expressions from his work better than I do in English). And he knows I don't really think he needs more lessons (he doesn't really either, but they were a benefit with his job).

Answer 1

You could teach him cultural things, which can help his understanding. For example, plenty of expressions are based on old films, or former TV shows. So, you could show him extracts from this show or from the film, and explain him the sentence, and what it means now.

Also, I had a book at university which explained the American culture thanks to important notions. For instance, melting-pot. Then, there was a bit of history about that. Imperialism. Racism. Pragmatism. etc. It will improve his vocabulary and his knowledge of the American culture.

Just improve his vocabulary. talk about one subject, and try to find plenty of words which relate to it. Synonyms...

Pronunciation, and accent.

I'm French, and I know I lack vocabulary. It depends on the subject, though. So just make him talk about specific subjects by using different material(s?).

And advanced grammar for native-English speakers. Nuances.

Answer 2

The hardest part about learning English as a foreign language... well...

1) We have so many exceptions to our own rules, especially when it comes to conjugating verbs.

2) We have no rhyme or reason when it comes to verbs either. It's not like in most other languages where you put this or that onto the end and it's now a past tense. We have some where all you do is add "ed"... (today I walk, yesterday I walked) but then we've got (today I sing, yesterday I sang) (today I know, yesterday I knew)

3) We have so many words that sound alike that mean totally different things (red, read - lead, led - merry, marry - dessert, desert - straight, strait)

4) We have so many words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently depending on context (I will read this tomorrow, I read this today) (I have a lead pencil, I will lead the group)

5) We have words that are similar, but even English speakers have difficulty keeping them straight (accept, except)

Also depending on what this person's primary language was, many foreign languages do not use rhyme the way we do... like in poetry. Some writing of creative poetry would make him think about using words that sound alike with a rhythm based on syllables, that would still have to make sense. It's just a different way to keep something thinking about use of the language... and believe it or not, it helps to teach syntax of the language so that it's a more natural thought process when speaking it.

Answer 3

I had to learn English when I came here. The two hardest things I found about learning was the pronunciation and the irregularities in the language. You don't pronounce the words like they are spelled and the language is a mess. There is hardly any rhyme or reason as to how or why you say things the way you do. Don't get me wrong, I love the language and I practically speak more English than Spanish which is my first language. I guess I was used to the order of the Spanish language and English is the complete opposite of it. Anyway, good luck!

Answer 4

I'm hungarian. Grammar : very easy, but I still have some doubts about a few things sometimes... Pronounciation: hard, the worst thing about it is that there's seemingly no rule for everything. I wouldn't say that it's impossible to learn anyway, but it's hard, not just to speak it like a native but to speak it and to not sound hilarious. Phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions are those things that really makes it hard. If you don't listen enough to english speakers or try to speak it yourself you CAN'T express yourself. As I read a lot of english texts I can understand most of them, not everything, but to express yourself... I should try to practice more and I would memorize them. Obviously this is true of every language to some extent, but to me it seems like english is full of them.For example, there is one verb, it has 20 meanings and there are other verbs that also have those meanings and you are wondering when to use which one in a phrase, and so on...

Answer 5

I am French and I have been in the US for 4 year now. One of the most difficult thing that I have to cope with is the use of postpositions.
Of course, you have to learn them but that's really confusing. The same verb may have very different meanings just because of this postposition (give up/give away; make out/make up/make up for/...).
Idiomatic expressions are also difficult to understand or use; but that's the same in every language.

Answer 6

A decade ago to learn English, you had to attend costly English classes or purchase course material like tapes and books. Now you can learn English for free from the comfort of your home using the Internet. The BBC and the British Council offer a number of on line courses, which teach written and spoken English. You can also improve your English by watching television programs and reading English newspapers. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/qnzpt

Answer 7

English is even hard for those who speak it as a mother language. There are many complexe grammar rules to follow in english that many english speaker's are unsure of. Also, it is hard to fight the war against slang and new terminology; so it is hard to distinguish what is right to say and what is wrong.

Answer 8

a lot of English speakers think English is very difficult to learn but, that's not true. besides Spanish speakers hear and watch music, t.v. shows and a lot of things in English.

Answer 9

the hardest? The humor of twisting the English language, double-meanings and f********quantum physics.



oh yeah, let him try to pick up a Girl in 10 min.

Answer 10

Colloquial expressions.

I was dealing with some people from France on a contract, and in a meeting said "Don't hold your breath." They looked very confused and asked why they shouldn't breathe. So I explained it to them and said "I suppose we should avoid colloquial expressions." They agreed, then one of them said "But they's all fleas offun the same dog, nez pas?".