Teach English in Laoxian Zhen - Ankang Shi

English is definitely one or if not the most in demand language around the world as millions of people from different nations would seek every single opportunity in order to at least learn and master the language. Though there are several learning methods and opportunities already implemented considering today’s advanced age, the language still proves to be quite difficult to many especially countries whose official languages do not include English especially considering the language’s peculiarities. Apparently, there are many reasons why English is a difficult language and a foreigner presently immersed in an English-speaking environment would also have trouble grasping the language as well. One reason is that English speakers especially natives make use of words and phrases with dual or multiple meaning that are quite far-fetched to a foreigner’s view. Take for example “Turn off”. Turn off can either be interpreted in the sentence “Turn of the light.” which obviously mean “to close”. On the other hand, it can also refer to a negative social impression like in the sentence “I was completely turn off by his rude behavior” In addition to this, many English words have multiple meanings and unlike other languages that make use of accent marks, the English language has none. So for the word “bold”, one can define it as “daring” while others may understand it as to the word “to darken” referring to font style of letters and some may think of it with the word “nude”. A speaker would be able to distinguish what meaning of the word one is referring to by looking at the sentence appropriate to the message. This versatile characteristic is among one of the intrinsic but beautiful attribute of the English language especially when being applied in casual conversations. Though it is not only this characteristic that makes the English language peculiar, simply looking at the words especially of same structure would also prove as a challenge. The pronunciation in English does not follow a rigid structure and most often than not has many exemptions. Take for example words ending with “ough” such as bough, rough, through, and cough where all of which has different ways of enunciation. Consequently, spelling in English would also serve as a challenge as well wherein unlike the Spanish language where the spelling almost follow the exact structure of how it is being pronounced, one could not help but be fooled on how an English word is spelled based only with its pronunciation. Meanwhile, the plurality of nouns also consist of several rules and can be very confusing such as the words “house” and “mouse wherein “house” in plural terms is “houses” and “mouse” whose plural is “mice” and the verb conjugation follows a separate set of rules between the regular and irregular verbs. Though it is not only the structure of the English words that one should put great emphasis, one should realize that what sets the English language apart from other languages is its great disparity in what should be considered literal and figurative. This characteristic adds highlights the language’s creativity and many great motivational speeches and songs are the results of making the most out of this aspect. The usage of connotative and denotative meaning per word in addition to the immense application of the types of figurative language would consistently create a massive impact to a message one is trying to convey. A great example of this usage is from the famous speech of Martin Luther King. The line “No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Establishes the word justice into a greater and deeper definition. The usage of the figurative aspect of the English language as an art into King’s substantial and timely message resonated within the hearts of the millions up to this day. Therefore, one can describe English basing on its characteristics as versatile yet creative and interesting at the same time. Admittedly, taking into account every micro detail of the language can be mentally exhausting but the fruits when comprehended and administered can be very rewarding. Though it is not encouraged to study the most specific details of the language, applying it into every day’s routine and connecting with the language through cultural context can bring one step closer not only in understanding what the language is in the surface but also acquiring an in depth sense into it.