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CHALLENGES TO LEARNING ENGLISH
Before we begin to describe processes of second language learning, we need to consider some of the unique aspects of the English language that make learning difficult. Here are few of the features of English that challenge speakers of other languages:
- Lexicon of over 620,000 words, more than any other language
- Frequent lexical changes to reflect society and technology
- Large number of Latin and Greek root words helpful only for those with Indo-European and Romance L1
- Large number of phonemes with weak sound: symbol correspondence
- Many irregular spellings and syntactic structures
- Regional accent (phonologic) and dialect (syntactic and semantic) variances
In learning English, ELL students have twice the cognitive load than their monolingual peers. It takes a great deal of physical and emotional energy to learn a new language and culture. ELLs are often tired and fatigue easily. Without taking this fact into consideration and without recognizing the daunting task ELLs are faced with, premature and negative assumptions can be made about the language learner. We continue in detailing the process of second language acquisition and related factors.
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