ESL students are special because ESL is special. Both teachers and students know it is not easy, but the effort is more than worthwhile.

Here are 10 reasons why ESL students are special people:

1. Learning a language is special. A language is not a garment. A person doesn't put on a language like a coat, a dress, or a pair of jeans. For me, learning a language is similar to the air I take into my lungs. It is part of me and travels in my body like the blood in my veins.
2. Learning a language is not a question of Me and It. It has to become Us.
3. Reading, writing, comprehension, vocabulary do not all grow at the same speed or at the same time.
4. Unless a person learns a language as a child, there is a good chance he/she will always have an accent. But, an accent is not a problem. It is more important to speak correctly with an accent than to speak without an accent and incorrectly.
5. The only way to learn is by speaking. Yes, the student will make mistakes. That's what a student does. Making mistakes is part of learning.
6. The student must want to learn the language.
7. Knowing more than one language makes life interesting: different contacts, watching films in the original language, reading newspapers with a different point of view. This is just the beginning.
8. Learning a language is mental gymnastics. It keeps your brain active.
9. If the student is a foreigner learning the language of his/her adopted country, it opens up doors. It's no fun being outside looking in. The nicest thing a foreigner can do is learn the language of his/her new country.
10. When a person learns a second language, he/she discovers the joy of watching a film or reading newspapers, documents, and books in their new language.

Yes, ESL students are special people.

English Second Language