English Language Learner (ELL) Resources (2024)

FAQs

Why is it hard for ELL students to learn English? ›

ELLs need instruction in different vocabulary words than their native-speaking peers. ELLs lack many of the basic words that native speakers know, so just teaching the vocabulary words that are suggested in the reading materials you are using will not be sufficient.

According to a recent study conducted by Stanford University, in two California districts that are considered the most successful in teaching English to “limited English proficiency” (LEP) students, oral proficiency takes 3 to 5 years to develop, and academic English proficiency can take 4 to 7 years.

Challenges Facing ELL Students

Your ELL students who lack the vocabulary that their peers have struggle with concepts like hom*onyms and synonyms, and can suffer from poor communication in the classroom.

Mandarin Chinese

Interestingly, the hardest language to learn is also the most widely spoken native language in the world. Mandarin Chinese is challenging for a number of reasons.

ESL students in particular have a difficult time writing papers because they have to expend more time and effort in finding the right words to construct their sentences than a native English speaker. This task alone can cause frustration with the minimal English vocabulary they usually have.

Graduation rates for ELs consistently rose between 2018 and 2022 from 67.9 percent in 2018 (compared to a rate of 85.6 percent for non-EL students and 83 percent for all students) to 71.8 percent in 2022 (compared to a rate of 89.5 percent for non-EL students and 87 percent for all students).

Most English language learners (ELLs) have a goal of advanced fluency, including English for academic purposes and social contexts. Most experts agree that this process takes between five to seven years.

Why do ELL students struggle with phonics? ›

Students who have not learned to read in their native language or whose native language does not use a phonetic alphabet may struggle to grasp the concept of phonetic relationships between sound and letters. In addition, these students must master that concept while applying it to a new language.

One way is to integrate current topics, music, movies, and fads to create a relevant class culture. Another option is to investigate the theme of self-expression. By using personalized tasks, idea journals, and speaking circles, learners will be motivated by the fact that the class focuses on their personal lives.

Therefore, it is critical that teachers create nurturing learning environments by employing strategies such as circumlocution (offering multiple ways to define a word or phrase), paraphrasing, and repetition.

English language learners are a diverse group of students, with different language, academic, and social-emotional needs. Students who speak the same language or have similar levels of language proficiency may need very different kinds of support to succeed in the classroom.

English has borrowed words from multiple languages, resulting in multiple pronunciations for the same spelling. Additionally, the same pronunciation can have different meanings depending on the context. Furthermore, English has various intonation patterns, stresses, and accents that can alter the meaning of a sentence.

Limited Vocabulary

Without a strong vocabulary, your students may struggle to understand spoken and written English and may also have difficulty expressing themselves in English. As an English teacher, it's very important that you provide regular vocabulary instruction and practice opportunities.

Anxiety and social-related problems were the obstacles that were due to the learner's inner-self such as confidence, motivation, and self-esteem. In this study, most of the ESL learners were afraid to make mistakes as they wished that they could speak like a native speaker.