What do you call people who English is not their first language?

ESL. Non-native English speaker. Limited English proficient. These may be some of the terms that come to mind when you’re trying to describe students whose first language isn’t English.

How do I know if I’m fluent in English?

For full fluency, you should be able to speak or write off-the-cuff, like you can in your native language. This is a clear marker of ease in using the language, which is a sign of fluency. One way to practice thinking your words out less is to post on social media in your target language.

What’s the opposite of native speakers?

Antonym of native speaker: someone who has another native tongue than the language being used.

Why can’t native English speakers understand me?

Reason #5: You speak English with less confidence than you do in your native language. The last reason that native English speakers might not understand you is because you speak English with less confidence than you do in your native language. We’ve all been there!

Should non-native speakers focus on clarity or accent?

This is why I often tell non-native speakers to focus on clarity. If you’re doing the best you can to communicate as clearly as possible, and using the features of English like stress and intonation that we use to express ourselves more effectively, you don’t have to worry about so many of the details of your accent.

Why do some people have a hard time understanding American English?

This is usually a result of interference from their native language. This can affect the way people understand your meaning. In American English, we communicate a lot of additional meaning through our tone of voice.

Do non-native accents still have a place in the world?

In such a globally connected world like the one we live in today, most people have been exposed to non-native accents. Of course you might meet people from more remote areas who only interact with people who sound like them, but they may simply need a few moments to adjust to your accent.