Common Struggles for ESL Learners & How to Overcome Them
Learning English as a second language isn’t just about memorising grammar or passing tests. It’s about using it in real life.
And sometimes, that real life? It’s fast. It’s full of pressure. It’s full of uncertainty.
At Bamboo Elevate, I work with professionals from all over the world. Different industries, different goals; but one thing in common:
They’re capable, intelligent, motivated… and still, they struggle with English in ways that textbooks never prepared them for.
So let’s talk about the most common struggles ESL learners face and more importantly, how to overcome them.
Fear of Making Mistakes:
You know the word. You know the grammar rule. But you hesitate. What if you mess it up? What if someone laughs?
What to do?
Mistakes aren’t failure, we are brought up to believe that mistakes are part of learning but we still down in the dumps when we think we have failed. I like practice speaking in safe, encouraging environments so confidence grows naturally. I go with the "think progress, not perfection" mentality.
💡 Try this: Speak first, refine later. Every sentence is a step forward.
Translating Everything in Your Head
This one’s so common. You think in your native language, then try to convert it which often leads to awkward phrasing or delays.
What to do?
Train your brain to think in English, bit by bit. Start with phrases you use daily. Surround yourself with English: podcasts, subtitles, social media, music. Create immersion from wherever you are.
💡 Try this: Narrate your day in English: “I’m making tea.” “I need to email my manager.” Simple, but powerful.
Struggling with Tone and Formality
You don't want to sound rude but you also want to sound professional without sounding like a robot.
It is especially tricky to find the right tone, especially in those all important board meetings.
What to do:
Learn the cultural “hidden rules” of English. It is important to practice how to soften language, build rapport, and be assertive without being aggressive.
💡 Try this: Replace direct phrases like “You are wrong” with “I see your point, but I have a different perspective…”
Listening Fatigue
This is not just for those that are native English speakers, a language that is native to a person, naturally comes out faster, idioms may be used and for a person learning to navigate a second language, that can be mentally exhausting. Your brain works overtime to catch every word.
What to do?
Break listening into small, focused sessions. Practice with real voices, not just slow learner tapes. Sometimes, when you worry about catching every single word, you miss the main idea of the conversation.
💡 Try this: Watch 5 minute clips from shows like The Office or Ted Talks, turn on subtitles, then off and build up slowly. Remember, when you taking learning into your own pace, it becomes more enjoyable.
Feeling "Good Enough" but Still Stuck
You can communicate, but your confidence dips, this can be person or environment dependent. Maybe you hold back in meetings and avoid leading conversations because you don't believe you can make the impact.
What to do?
Sometimes it’s not about language; it’s about belief. Working on mindset is just as important as learning the skill. Your voice deserves to be heard and you do not need perfect English to speak powerfully.
💡 Try this: Record yourself speaking. You’ll notice you’re better than you think. Record yourself and track your own progress, confidence grows from believing.
Real Struggles. Real Solutions.
English doesn’t have to be a barrier. With the right support, it can become your superpower.
I take my clients beyond the textbook. We work on the real world skills that help you show up, speak up, and thrive no matter where you’re from or where you’re going.
✨ Reminder: You’re not behind. You’re becoming.