{"id":6323,"date":"2019-12-03T18:06:12","date_gmt":"2019-12-03T18:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/?p=6323"},"modified":"2019-12-03T18:06:12","modified_gmt":"2019-12-03T18:06:12","slug":"embrace-english-language-learners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/blog\/embrace-english-language-learners\/","title":{"rendered":"Why We Should All Embrace English Language Learners"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Berkeley\u2019s position as the nation\u2019s first sanctuary city<\/a> to San Francisco\u2019s recent high ranking on immigrant integration<\/a> in the New American Economy\u2019s Cities Index, the Bay Area (home to Magoosh HQ)<\/em> has long been known as a beacon of inclusivity. When it comes to our attitudes towards language learners however, our promise of welcome sometimes falls short. <\/p>\n

In my work teaching students English over the last 15 years, they\u2019ve often revealed to me how quickly native English speakers can be to ridicule them. <\/p>\n

As native English speakers, we often take for granted just how hard a language like English is to learn, and can be quick to shame those still gaining proficiency. But it doesn\u2019t have to be this way. <\/p>\n

The Trouble With English <\/h2>\n

The stakes are high for English language learners of all ages. About 20% of California public school students<\/a> are English language learners, the highest proportion in the country. Universities use exams like the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to make admissions decisions, and various countries use the International English Testing Language System (IELTS) exam as a component of their immigration process. <\/p>\n

Generally, my students work incredibly hard to improve their English skills, and research<\/a> has shown that it takes seven years of full immersion and focused study to be able to function at a high level academically or professionally. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re thinking that seems like a lot of effort, you\u2019d be right. Just how hard can English be to learn?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Consider the case of \u201carticles\u201d (a, an, the), the most commonly-used English words. If you are a native English speaker, you use these words without thinking. But imagine having to explain the differences between:<\/p>\n