Learning English can be both exciting and demanding. For many students, mastering the language means opening doors to academic success, new opportunities, and lifelong confidence. Yet, the path to English language proficiency often comes with challenges that can leave learners feeling uncertain or frustrated.
At Nisai Learning, we understand that every student’s journey is different. Through tailored guidance, specialist tools, and compassionate teaching, we help learners overcome barriers and build lasting skills.
If your child is finding English difficult, whether it’s grammar, pronunciation, or confidence, this guide explores the most common struggles and how structured support can make all the difference.
- Understanding English Grammar
Grammar is one of the most frequent challenges for English learners. Unlike many other languages, English has irregular rules, tenses, and word forms that can feel confusing at first.
Students often struggle with:
- Using correct verb tenses.
- Forming plural nouns and possessives.
- Understanding sentence structure and punctuation.
How to Overcome Grammar Difficulties
- Start small: Focus on one grammar point at a time rather than trying to learn everything at once.
- Use examples: Applying grammar to real sentences helps build understanding faster.
- Review feedback regularly: Teachers at Nisai provide direct corrections and explanations to reinforce learning.
- Learn through writing: Practising grammar in context, essays, emails, or stories, helps students remember it.
In the Nisai Holistic English Language Proficiency Programme (N-HELPP), grammar instruction is built into every stage of learning, helping students apply correct structures naturally in reading and writing.
- Expanding Vocabulary
Limited vocabulary can make communication feel difficult. Students who know what they want to say but cannot find the right words often lose confidence or avoid participating in class discussions.
How to Build Vocabulary Effectively
- Read widely: Encourage regular reading, fiction, news articles, or academic texts, to expose students to new words.
- Create a vocabulary journal: Recording new words with meanings and example sentences strengthens memory.
- Use digital tools: WordQ software, included in the N-HELPP programme, provides word prediction and text-to-speech features that reinforce vocabulary learning.
- Learn in themes: Grouping words by topic (e.g. school, travel, science) helps learners remember more effectively.
By combining technology with human feedback, Nisai helps students grow their vocabulary in ways that feel practical and enjoyable.
- Building Confidence in Speaking
Speaking in English can feel intimidating, especially for students learning a second language. Fear of making mistakes often prevents learners from practising, which slows progress further.
How to Improve Speaking Confidence
- Create a safe space: Encourage practice in small, supportive groups before moving to larger discussions.
- Use guided conversations: At Nisai, teachers design interactive sessions that help students use language naturally.
- Focus on fluency before accuracy: Getting comfortable speaking freely builds confidence; grammar perfection comes later.
- Celebrate progress: Recognising small improvements keeps motivation high.
Speaking confidence grows when students feel heard and supported. Our Student Wellbeing team works alongside teachers to help learners manage anxiety and participate comfortably in live sessions.
- Listening and Comprehension Challenges
Many students understand written English better than spoken English. Fast conversations, varied accents, and complex phrasing can make listening tasks difficult.
How to Improve Listening Skills
- Listen daily: Exposure to natural English, through podcasts, audiobooks, or videos, trains the ear to pick up sounds and rhythm.
- Take notes: Writing down key words helps students focus on meaning rather than every individual word.
- Replay and review: Pausing and replaying short sections allows learners to check understanding without pressure.
- Engage with teachers: In Nisai’s live lessons, tutors adjust their speaking pace and provide transcripts to support comprehension.
Consistent listening practice helps students recognise context, tone, and intent — vital skills for both exams and real-life communication.
- Reading Comprehension and Focus
English texts often contain figurative language, advanced vocabulary, and cultural references that can confuse learners. Students may read without fully understanding, which affects performance in exams and written work.
How to Strengthen Reading Skills
- Start with accessible material: Build from simple texts to more complex passages gradually.
- Ask comprehension questions: Summarising or explaining what has been read deepens understanding.
- Use multisensory tools: The Units of Sound system, part of the N-HELPP programme, supports reading fluency through structured, interactive exercises.
- Practise regularly: Even ten minutes of reading each day improves focus and vocabulary retention.
By combining reading with listening and writing activities, students create strong cross-language connections that accelerate learning.
- Maintaining Motivation and Consistency
Learning English takes time and patience. Some students lose motivation when progress feels slow, or when balancing study with personal commitments becomes difficult.
How to Stay Motivated
- Set small goals: Achieving short milestones builds momentum.
- Track progress: Regular updates in Nisai’s Virtual Academy show measurable growth.
- Connect with others: Group lessons and peer discussions reduce isolation and create a sense of community.
- Prioritise wellbeing: Maintaining balance between study, rest, and social time supports long-term success.
Nisai’s Student Wellbeing services provide ongoing guidance, helping learners manage pressure, set realistic goals, and celebrate every achievement.
- Adapting to Online English Learning
While online learning offers flexibility, it also requires self-discipline and organisation. Students may struggle to manage time effectively or stay engaged during virtual lessons.
How to Succeed in Online English Learning
- Establish a routine: Set consistent times for lessons, practice, and review.
- Use digital tools wisely: N-HELPP’s interactive software supports engagement and focus.
- Ask for help early: Students can contact tutors or wellbeing advisers whenever they need assistance.
- Create a dedicated study space: A quiet, distraction-free area encourages concentration and comfort.
Parents can view progress and attendance through Nisai’s secure portals, ensuring transparency and peace of mind throughout the learning process.
Real Students, Real Progress
Across the Nisai online school, our students from around the world have improved their English language skills and confidence through our structured programmes. You can find out more about how tailored learning and wellbeing support help learners achieve academic and personal success. Each story reflects our belief that with the right support, every student can overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
Practical Tips for Parents
Parents play an important part in helping children stay motivated and confident while learning English.
- Encourage open conversation about what feels difficult and what’s improving.
- Offer praise for effort and persistence, not just results.
- Encourage use of English in everyday activities, cooking, music, or shared reading.
- Stay in touch with teachers to understand progress and next steps.
- Remind children that progress takes time and every challenge is part of learning.
Nisai works closely with families, ensuring that support continues beyond the virtual classroom to create consistency at home.
Building Confidence, One Step at a Time
Every learner faces challenges when studying English, but with patience, encouragement, and the right guidance, these obstacles can become stepping stones to success.
The Nisai Holistic English Language Proficiency Programme offers structured teaching, technology-based tools, and compassionate support that address each challenge directly, helping students develop language skills, confidence, and lifelong communication ability.
If you’re looking for a proven way to help your child build strong English skills and renewed confidence in learning, our Wellbeing services and student success stories show exactly how we make it possible.
Start Your Child’s English Learning Journey with Confidence
Help your child overcome their English learning challenges and achieve real academic progress. Explore the Nisai English Language Proficiency Programme today and discover how personalised online learning can make every step of their journey more successful.
