Some language students learn a foreign language easily, while others have to struggle to understand even just the gist, let alone the nuances of the foreign language. Although learning a foreign language is not supposed to be easy, learning a language should be challenging and yet encouraging at the same time.
Today, the study of another language is often a requirement both in high school and at universities or colleges. However, students don’t usually learn a foreign effectively, and sometimes, them learning a language is just taken for granted.
Experts believe that most students who have difficulty in learning a foreign language are those who have experienced difficulty in reading and spelling in their native language during their early life in school.
But, how can language teachers and schools assist language students to learn a foreign language more easily?
Students that have difficulties in language systems, whether in writing, reading, speaking, or listening, may experience problems learning a foreign language in school. Language problems can vary substantially from moderate to severe, and students who experience the most problems in all the language systems may be classified by the school as having language learning disabilities or dyslexia.
So, which instructional methods are helpful in teaching students?
Students with learning disabilities should determine which foreign language would be their best choice or which language they will be comfortable learning and practising. It is important as well that administrators and language teachers should use different tools and techniques in teaching students, to make the class discussion interesting and convincing. Effective language teaching strategies involve using technology, media, or visual and auditory aids; these are beneficial in order to enhance the memory, hearing, seeing, and knowledge of students.
Another challenge for students is to find the appropriate learning environment. This is because some students need extra time to learn a foreign language, at a slower pace and special attention. Hence, it is necessary that students should be given a real chance, and they should be away from distractions in order for them to absorb all the essential concepts of a foreign language.
Learning a foreign language doesn’t only need some visual or audio strategies, but it requires a lot of extensive practice to be able to enhance their ability to speak, write, listen and understand the culture of a foreign language. Languages are not always easy to learn, it requires a long process. Thus, whatever reasons a student has for taking up a foreign language course, they should be encouraged to study early in their school years rather than later on in their adulthood.