Aroosa Mushtaq Malik

Muhammad Afzaal

TEFL

1st October 2015

Problems Faced by Second Language Learners

Learners, while learning a new language, apply knowledge from their native language to

learn a second language. While this can help in understanding and using the target language, this

can also hinder the proper internalization of the target language rules, producing errors of syntax,

vocabulary, and pronunciation. Following are a number of problems faced by learners of the

second language:

• Learners pronounce certain sounds incorrectly or with difficulty as a result of the

difference in phonological systems.

• They confuse vocabulary items because they are misled by others (i.e. words or phrases

that look or sound similar in both the mother tongue and the target language, but differ

significantly in meaning.)

• Learners try to transfer their cultural knowledge to make assumption when

communicating in the target language.

• Learners have difficulty in maintain pace while reading as they concentrate on

pronouncing one word at a time instead of learning how to group them together.

• There are 26 letters in English that have 44 sounds. Learners are not always aware of that

so they pronounce a word with a single sound that they associate with the letters.

• Lack of curiosity on part of the learner can also hinder in the learning of the second

language.

• Linguists have found that students with a low tolerance of ambiguity tend to struggle with

language learning.

• Relying on only a single method of learning is not always helpful. Some learners are

comfortable with using a dictionary for every word and some are more comfortable in

understanding the meaning through the context of the text. But this is not always helpful.

Therefore, learners should practice learning through different methods.

• One of the key hindrances of language learning is Fear of embarrassment in case of

making a mistake. Learners do not realize that it is through mistakes that they would be

able to correct themselves.

• Learners also face problems due to their ages. Children pick up a new language more

quickly than older people.

• The attitude and motivation of a learner counts a lot in learning a new language. Lack of

them results in poor learning.

• The similarity or difference between a home language and a second language matters as

well. If there are huge differences then it is not always easy to acquire understanding of

the second language.

• Lack of paternal involvement or support in case of children learning a new language is

also a cause for a problem for a learner.

• Language is a social process. Lack of second language’s usage in a social environment

can lead to hindrances in its learning and application.

• Language is learned best when it is used for a purpose. When a learner does not see any

purpose of acquiring a new language, they do not give their full attention and

commitment to its learning.