Language Problems of International Students

Recently, many people want to study different languages other than their native languages, such as English, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese. English is the most popular language among these, because English is an international language. For that reason, many people go abroad to study English.  However, English is not an easy language to learn quickly, as most languages are if it is not one’s native language.  English is especially difficult for Asian students to learn because their dialect is very different, and their alphabet systems differ completely.  Despite this fact, many Asian students still want to study English because Eastern countries are becoming more Westernized’ therefore, English is becoming more important to learn. 

Hawaii is a very popular place for students who want to study English.  For example, over 70% of students on the K.C.C campus are from Asia. Actually, over 70 %of students do not have a mother language from an English-speaking country, except American territory countries.

In a survey of nearly 100 ESOL program students and international students, 42% of the respondents have problems using English. The results of the survey were quite astonishing. According to the survey, almost all 197 class students do not exactly understand native speakers, 40% of 92 students understand native speakers quietly.  About 50% of 94 class students can understand native speakers. On the other hand, over 75% of 100 class students understand native speakers. Results depend on the term respondents have lived in Hawaii.

According to the students surveyed, the most difficult part of learning English is speaking, and the second hardest part is pronunciation of English in communication. This problem, speaking and pronunciation are very important subjects for Asian students because Asia uses different phonetic symbols from English. That is why an Asian person’s vocal organs used in enunciating their country’s language need to adjust to the different sounds used in English.  For example, Korean speakers do not realize when they pronounce ‘V’ and ‘B’.

Another problem is that everybody has a different level of knowledge. This problem makes students speak more slowly because one person knows how to say something but another person does not have an idea of the vocabulary. This happens almost everyday on the campus and in class. For example, One 197 student was talking to a 94 class friend but the 197 student did not understand what the 94 student said because 94 student had more vocabulary knowledge.

In short, this shows that if 197 students work hard and practice their English often, they will become good at the language.  English is not an easy language to learn.  If students practice their English all the time, study vocabulary and practice their conversation skills, English will become natural to them as if it is their native language.  English is an important language to learn because it is the international language and world society depends on it.  To understand other cultures and other people from different parts of the world, English can be the link to communication.