Myths and Illusions in Learning English as a Foreign Language
Myths and Illusions in Learning English as a Foreign Language

Summary/Abstract: This analytical article deliberates over delicate and sometimes misconceived points in English usage, which highlight difficulties in mastering English as a foreign language. Students of different generations, who studied English as a foreign language in Lithuania, had grounded and ungrounded concepts of their knowledge. The present-day students hold fairly liberal views on English usage, which encompass certain misconceptions. Thus myths or ungrounded convictions of English are born and they multiply in the context of dated textbook information. Unlike French, English has no academic standard but its idiom is challenging and its stylistic varieties cause difficulties even to the native speakers. British and American societies are socially stratified communities of native speakers who identify by their language. Social and stylistic variations extend the functional potential of English and its every speaker has to have a considerable knowledge of it. The fact that English usage is based on tradition and the dictionary does not simplify the matters. Pronunciation may be problematic, but lexical idioms are a still trickier question. Idiomatic English syntax is especially important as it ensures fluency which cannot be achieved by applying the rules. No standard of English is prescribed to the students in Britain or the United States. They are free to choose the social or functional variety of English, which is sufficient to their engagements, but they have to mind that class conscious society will accept them in accord with their speech. Therefore it remains to recommend correct English usage to the foreigners if they cannot acquire refined and idiomatic English because of their social limitations. Correct language is not a myth. Resort to English literary language is economical and productive, while freedom of choice should agree with the necessity of choice in learning English as a foreign language.

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