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How hard is it to learn english when it isn't your first language?

Shawn - 2009-06-30 22:46:51 - Languages

Does english seem as hard to learn for people born and raised in other countries as foreign languages seem overly complicated to me? How long does it take to perfect it? Are there any things about the english language that are really hard to remember?

Best Answer:

Of course it's hard, but it's not more difficult than learning other languages. Also, there's a hugh difference between me learning English and you learning other languages. Although I live in Sweden, I come across English almost every day. I listen to English song lyrics on the radio. I watch American and British films and TV-shows, with Swedish subtitles. I use English to communicate with people from other countries on the internet. For me, English isn't just a "fun thing to learn", or something I study for the grades at school. I use English in my every day life. That's a hugh difference! I've studied English for 11 years, since I was 10 years old. And I'm still learning and making mistakes. I don't think I'll ever speak it perfectly. At least not without moving to an English speaking country. To merely understand English is not a problem anymore. I started reading books (Harry Potter) in English when I was 14-15 years old. Writing or speaking English, on the other hand, is much harder and I wish I could use a more flexible and advanced vocabulary. And less "Swenglish" expressions (almost litterally translated word by word). The most difficult part of learning English is probably that English has so many words (more words than in Swedish). Pronunciation and spelling is also difficult, because of all the diphthongs and stuff. I think English grammar is quite simple though. Much more logical than in most other languages (which doesn't stop me from making mistakes). But I love the English language. I actually prefer English to Swedish, since it's a much cooler language. You have many useful words and expressions which doesn't exist in Swedish.

Answers:

I herd english is the hardest language to learn...i dont know y tho

It depends on your native language. People who speak Germanic languages, especially German and Dutch, tend to have an easier time learning English than other people because they're in the same language family so they're somewhat similar. From what I've heard, it's supposed to be difficult to learn. There was an episode of I Love Lucy where Ricky was having trouble reading a book to little Ricky because of words like 'rough,' 'cough' and 'through.' The endings are the same but they're all pronounced differently.

i am guessing you do not speak English so here it is, i have heard that english is the easiet language to learn since most of the words are small and that they do not have different versions of words i mean how in like german the words de, da, dos, all mean "THE" but all have different parts in a sentense in english you would only have to say the

Quite hard. I don't know from experience because it is my first language, but I've heard from many that it is the hardest to learn. I think it's because it doesn't follow many language rules. For example, the French language follows many rules concerning verbs nouns, adverbs, and adjectives, whereas the English language doesn't.

In some ways, English is the Hardest to learn. There are a few reasons for this and some tips that might help you. 1. Your ability to learn English, or ANY language is based on a few things. Your original language is the first and most telling factor. If you speak a Latin or Germanic language, as in Europe, than English will not be too hard. 2. VERB: Our Verb Conjugation makes it hard for some to learn. I tutored English to Chinese and Thai and Lao friends. They found it difficult at first because of the Verb Conjugation. Ne chu zai nar? Means where are you going>? in Mandarin Chinese. "Chu" means "Go" but never changes no matter what the tense. It's understood, thus eliminating the need for an equivalent to "will". Jao si pai sai? Where will you go? Lao. Same here. The word for "Go" is "Pai". Pai (pronounced bpai) never changes no matter what tense you use. Jao pai sai leaw? Where DID you go? Here, "Pai" Still means "Go" but in past tense. The students had a difficult time accepting that "GO" and "WENT" mean the same but in different tense. It's hard to learn English "VISUALLY" 3. SILENT CONSONANTS: Here is another problem with learning English. Most words in many other languages are SPOKEN as they are WRITTEN. NAIITINDIHAN KO (I understand in Tagalog/Filipino). It LOOKS like a difficult word to pronounce. But if you know the rule o the written language you will see that the word is pronounced with EVERY Letter, including double Vowels, sounded. In this case, you pronounce BOTH "I" as well as every other vowel. Now look at the English word "STRAIGHT". Long as a freight train but you don't hear the "IGH". Many find that confusing. "WEIGHT" rhymes with STRAIGHT but they look Nothing alike. 4. Grammar Rules: Every rule in English has some sort of exception. "I before E except after C" is the most basic and even THAT does not hold true in every English word using these particular letters. Look at the word "RECEIVE". CONFIDENCE: One thing I have Never done in my life is laugh at a foreigner because of his English. If you feel comfortable you will gain confidence and learn. Surround yourself with TRUE friends who REALLY want to help you and show patience. Then it becomes much easier to learn. Best of Luck.

It is hard to learn if you are not living in the country of the language you try to learn. Immersion is the best way to learn it and being young helps a lot. Kids don't think about grammar, they just speak the new language.People older than 15 years will carry accent due to the vocal area is already shaped by the native language. Although people with singing abilities will identify better the sounds of the new language (actors/actresses usually have musical abilities and can fake or imitate accents)

Try to download learning software. http://www.earnenglish.com (under construction site)

Of course it's hard, but it's not more difficult than learning other languages. Also, there's a hugh difference between me learning English and you learning other languages. Although I live in Sweden, I come across English almost every day. I listen to English song lyrics on the radio. I watch American and British films and TV-shows, with Swedish subtitles. I use English to communicate with people from other countries on the internet. For me, English isn't just a "fun thing to learn", or something I study for the grades at school. I use English in my every day life. That's a hugh difference! I've studied English for 11 years, since I was 10 years old. And I'm still learning and making mistakes. I don't think I'll ever speak it perfectly. At least not without moving to an English speaking country. To merely understand English is not a problem anymore. I started reading books (Harry Potter) in English when I was 14-15 years old. Writing or speaking English, on the other hand, is much harder and I wish I could use a more flexible and advanced vocabulary. And less "Swenglish" expressions (almost litterally translated word by word). The most difficult part of learning English is probably that English has so many words (more words than in Swedish). Pronunciation and spelling is also difficult, because of all the diphthongs and stuff. I think English grammar is quite simple though. Much more logical than in most other languages (which doesn't stop me from making mistakes). But I love the English language. I actually prefer English to Swedish, since it's a much cooler language. You have many useful words and expressions which doesn't exist in Swedish.