ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
119
LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
Mokhichekhra Khakimova
English teacher at school N32 in Namangan district
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13923529
Abstract
English is an international language which is used officially all around the
world. English can connect society with the world in various aspects. Anydiv
who wants to make connections with the world should learn English. We as a
society with English is not the main language in our country, it is necessary to
learn English in order to reach the outside world. Learn English can be from
anywhere, learn English from college, internet, English tutoring, and social
media too. To make English as a second language in our life, we need to
understand the basic of English and appropriate learning strategy.
Key-Words :
International language, Learn English, Second language
Introduction
In this global era, English has successfully placed its position as a language in
multicultural and communication, as a language in international business
communication, and as a language in the international language of research
(Rintaningrum, 2016). As the most popular used language in the world, in
various forms, English is estimated spoken by 400 million people as a mother
tongue and an additional 2 billion as a second and/or foreign language (Demont-
Heinrich, 2007). By mastering English, we can improve ourselves both in
academic and life skills that the outside world needs right now.
However this is also not an excuse to shut yourself off from the develpoment of
the outside world, including not wanting to learn English. Then, what is the
meaning of learning English as a second language? Why should we learn English
as a second language? And the last what are the strategies for learning English as
a second language? This will be explained later in the discussion.
Content/Discussion
1. The Meaning of Learning English as a Second Language (ESL)
English as a second language (ESL) is a traditional term for the use or study of
the English language by non-native speakers in an English-speaking
environment (it is also known as English for speakers of other language).
English as a second language also refers to specialized approaches to language
teaching designed for those whose primary language is not English (Nordquist,
2019). A simple way to define language learning is the process which the
language capability develops in an individual. Learning language per say takes
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strategies, and according to Wenden and Rubin, learning strategies can be
defined as actions, steps, plans or routines taken by the learners in processing
the information they received (Hashim, 2018). So, from the combination of these
2 understandings, Learning English as a Second Language is a learning method
that refers to specialized approaches to language teaching designed for those
whose primary language is not English, where in the learning process it can be
through as actions, steps, plans or routines taken by the learners in processing
the information they received.
2. Why should we learn English as a Second Language? We should learn
English as a second language because at this time, English is an international
language which is the language of communication to connect us with the
development of the outside world. By mastering English, it gives us more
opportunities to travel to various parts of the world without being hindered by
communication. In addition, by learning English as a second language, it will give
us more job opportunities so that we can follow developments in the outside
world regarding future careers.
3. The factors that make citizens still not able to apply English as a Second
Language. In this modern era, mastering English has become a necessity. We as a
Indonesians who are born with different mother tongue, there may be some
obstacles in learning English as an effort to apply English as a second language in
Indonesia. In cases, when spoken English in everyday life, the answers are still
stammered, nervous, or may not relate to English conversations. So, here are
some factors that make Indonesians citizens still not able to apply English as a
Second Language :
✓
Environment factor
Unwittingly, environment factor cause English to be more difficult to
apply as a second language. Sayings from the environment such
as “Don’t act like a foreigner” or “Don’t speak English pretentious”, these
words make learners who already wants to learn English becomes down and
afraid to be ridiculed by their peers. This ridicule and innuendo made their self-
confidence lower and they were reluctant to continue learning English. So, this
one of the factors that makes English difficult as a second language
✓
Lack of motivation to learn English as a second language Using mother
tongue is often used as an excuse to delay learning English. This happens
because of a lack of motivation to learn English, so citizens of a particular
country are lazy to learn English, even though English is very much needed to
deal with the outside world which is growing rapidly.
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✓
Too monotonous learning model
Currently, technology has developed rapidly, so we can access various
kinds of information, including accessing information about learning English.
However, most of us only learn English from books and don’t apply English in
everyday life (rarely speak in English), even though, there are many other
learning media to learn English, such as internet, English tutoring on youtube,
and social media too. So, this one of the factors that makes English difficult to
apply in Indonesia.
✓
There are some English materials that are difficult for some people
where the mother tongue is not English
English is difficult for some people where the mother tongue is not English
because mostly due to its unpredictable spelling and tricky to master grammar.
In addition, there are many words in the English language that supposedly
mean the same thing, of course this can seem confusing or difficult for some
people where the mother tongue is not English. Furthermore, beyond spelling
and meaning lies pronounciation, which can also cause confusion those
learning English. Therefore, appropriate and fun learning strategies are needed
in learning English as a second language.
4. Strategies for Learning English as a Second Language
Before going further to strategies for learning English as a second language, here
are the basics English that we must understand is :
a) Tenses
, tenses or word forms are the most important and fundamental
elements for learning English.
b) Listening
, listening is one of the skills or abilities of the English language
whose application is to listen to the vocabulary in English sentences. One of the
ways quickly learn English is to get used listening to the words in English.
However, it’s not that easy to learn listening. Listening is not as easy as people
think, particularly when the English language has status as a foreign language
that is different from a second language as well as first language (Rintaningrum,
2018).
c) Reading
, reading is by reading some text or sentences in English, it will
make us more sensitive to the structure of words formed in the language English
so as to get a lot of new vocabulary in English.
d) Writing
, writing is one of the basics in learning English, writing will
make understand about our ability to speak English, whether it’s from grammar
or vocabulary.
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e) Speaking
, speaking is the stage where students after mastering tenses,
listening, reading, and writing, get used to speaking the English language, we
will always get used to foreign words that may feel difficult spoken by the
common people. Even if slowly, if we practice it often, it will make our speaking
skills sound fluent like caucasians.
In order to achieve the goal of learning English as a second language, in my
view, strategies are needed, namely:
1. Learn English through various media or sources Because at this time
technology is increasingly modern, it allows us to learn something not only from
books, but also other media such as social media, Youtube, online English
learning applications, etc. By accessing some of these learning media, our
knowledge of the material in English will be wider. Learning English with other
people (native speakers), in addition to training our confidence, also helps
improve the quality of learning English as a second language.
2. Practicing English in daily life As in the previous citation that the learning
process it can be through as actions, steps, plans or routines taken by the
learners in processing the information theyreceived. With that citation, we need
to put what we have achieved in learning
English as a second language into everyday life. For example, learning to
write using English and practicing English in communicating (training speaking
and listening skills).
Conclusion
Based on the explanation above, it can be concluded that learning English as a
second language is very necessary. This is because in this global era, English has
successfully placed its position as a language in multicultural and
communication, as a language in international business communication, and as a
language in the international language of research. English is also estimated
spoken by 400 million people as a mother tongu eand an additional 2 billion as a
second and/or foreign language. Learning English is needed to face the fast
development of the outside world. Then how to learn English as a second
language can be applied, by learning English through various sources or media
and practicing it in everyday life, because the best way to master English is to
practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English.
References:
1.
Demont-Heinrich, C. (2008). American triumphalism and the "Offensive"
defensiveness of the French: French as a Foil for English in U.S. Prestige Press
Coverage of the global Hegemony of English. Journal of Communication Inquiry,
32(271), 271-291.
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2.
Hashim, H. U. (2018). English as a Second Language (ESL) Learning:
Setting the Right
3.
Environment for Second Language Acquisition. E-Journal, 3.
4.
http://ejournal.radenintan.ac.id/index.php/tadris/article/view/2941/pdf
5.
Nordquist, Richard. "Definition of English as a Second Language (ESL)."
ThoughtCo,
6.
Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/english-as-a-second-language-esl-1690599.
7.
Rintaningrum, R. (2016). I Find It Easy To Learn English When.........:
Lecturers’
8.
Perspective. Jambi University Press, 1–12
