Things People Who Speak English as a Second Language Wish You Knew
If this is part of your life story, please share your insights! What would you like the rest of us to learn? What should we know about people in this community? How would you like people to interact with you? Should people ask questions? What’s the best way for people to learn about this? Do you have any resources (books, movies, YT videos, etc) that will give us greater understanding and empathy and kindness toward people who experience the same things you do?
If you’re not on this journey, we welcome you to listen, learn, and ask respectful, good-faith questions! Open-ended questions are highly encouraged, as they give people the space to share their unique experiences in their own words. While this is a safe space to learn about things you’ve never experienced, please remember to be sensitive, and avoid sharing harmful stereotypes or debating someone's lived reality. If you have a question, ask it with empathy. If someone gently corrects you, please be open to learning. Let's have a gentle, fun, friendly conversation where we support one another, because it takes all sorts to make a world!
@ShadowFaerie @unassumingEyes @Sunisshiningandsoareyou @sadcat13 @Amanda84 @goldenduckling @mytwistedsoul @Tinywhisper11 @LovemyMoonflowers @GreenLime3141 @7Bear7 @Phoenixthepoised @Torean @GentleHealingInitiative @cyanessence @YourCaringConfidant @CaringEzra @NobleSeeker @fossilfellow @BastionKnight @trueconfidant123 @safeplace288 @lovingCat6978 @reservedOwl321 @dapperNest2125 @Creamyyy @naturesbeauty1234 @bubbleSummer9800 @peachThinker662 @warmheartedHuman836 @Mansbestfriend @Paliloveyourself @Magicpawsoffuture @SelfCareMatters @TovaCares76 @sabeyesofblue3535 @Ailuraphilelove8tear9 @charmingApple8098 @luvArisu @BlueDarkAurora @curiousbookishness @sympatheticPlace3743 @musawva @KindleMissie @WellsFiction @Angelanj @SlappyMcGee @SunshineJazz @LexListens2025 @Heather225 @agreeableSkies9889
I’m adding a taglist to start, but this post is open to absolutely everyone! <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
English isn't my native language, even though I've studied from an English medium. I have adapted most of the fluency through the internet.
At times there's lots of grammatical errors, I often recheck my grammer, spellings and structure using chatgpt and google before posting.
I appreciate it when someone doesn't judge our intelligence based on the typing errors, we try to sound natural, but please don't mind, if we sometimes sound overly formal or informal during texting.
Also, I like how some of the words sounds than others when writing a sentence... even though it's not common in natural english.
Like "Wish" for " hope "
"towards you" for "your way" <3
Just because we type fluently doesn't mean we speak/ talk the same, verbally... It's very different and at times difficult to speak in person.
I have tried talking with ppl online on apps made for improving fluency through calls and stuff — which was a good experience, and helped me understand that I'm not alone and everyone's just there to practice and don't really judge.
I'm still sometimes feel insecure and shy while speaking English in person, nd overthink abt how others would judge, if i made mistakes and sound childesh or funny.
I love different slang, and the American hood accent of English <3 :))
@fossilfellow
Hey. I absolutely love this take as someone who's first language isn't English. ❤️
@trueconfidant123 Thank you!! 💖🥰
@fossilfellow
You are doing a great job 💙
@Amanda84 Thank you 💝🥰
@jesusredeemedme2425
English is my second language, and my journey with it has been a complete ride. I initially attended a school where, despite English being the medium of instruction, it was rarely spoken by students or teachers. My grammar was weak, and I struggled to communicate. When I transferred to a new school where everyone was fluent, I felt incredibly insecure.
However, that insecurity became my motivation. I dedicated myself to English lessons, watched vlogs, read extensively, and even kept a detailed vocabulary notebook to practice grammar. Over time, I grew to love the language. By high school, I topped my class with a score of 98/100.
Today, I am proud of my fluency. When I speak with native speakers, they are often surprised to learn it isn't my first language because of my command over it. Now, people even come to me for tips on vocabulary and diction, which truly feels like a win.
However, there's still a long way to go. I really hope to write a book someday.
@trueconfidant123
That clearly is amazing 💙
@Amanda84 thank you 😊
@trueconfidant123 Thank you for sharing your experience with us 💖🥰
*Big hugs* 🐾💕
@fossilfellow
*big big hugs* 🫂💗
@trueconfidant123 ❤️❤️
I absolutely can’t tell that you’re ESL. You’ve learned well! <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
@jesusredeemedme2425
English is my second language and I think I'm doing a good job 😁💙
@Amanda84
@trueconfidant123
💙
@Amanda84 ❤️
Wait it is??? What’s your first???
@jesusredeemedme2425
Irish is my first 🥰
Whoa that’s cool <3
How do you say “I love you” in Irish??? <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
Ta me I ngra leat!
I Iove you too! <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
Go raibh maith agat, my chara, beannachtai linn.
That sounds like a command. “Go, my child…” hehe
@jesusredeemedme2425
😂😂😂
It means, thank you very much my friend , many blessings 💚
Awwww you’re so sweet! Thank you <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
💙
@Amanda84
❤️
@fossilfellow
💙
@jesusredeemedme2425
English wasn't hard for me because here in my country, I already have different types of languages and dialects to worry about👻plus point to English for its 40 % universalness(yeah I do innovate a lot of words😅)I am a language-obsessed person👻
@curiousbookishness Thank you for sharing! 🐾💖
@curiousbookishness
I can see the knack for innovation right in your username 😉
Yup dosent make sense and does make sense at the same time😜
@jesusredeemedme2425 I feel like I'm over the window where I can speak about this 😭 it's still not perfect but I can understand 95% of things in daily life and I can also speak without stress. But polish will be a different story, I am at a point of understanding a lot but not talking yet 😭