Learning English is a common activity that has been
done by many students around the world. Every students from different counties
try to improve their ability in English. Some of them are the students from
native English country, many others come from non-native English country. Both
kinds of students show a particular fact to be observed. For example, native
English students with high English competence is different with foreign English
learners that have only limited English ability. It shows that learning English
as a foreign language and a mother tongue have some differences in the way
students learn English. Despite of having some differences, both kinds of
students also show the similarities.
The main
difference of learning English for native English learners and foreign English
learners is the level of learning difficulties. Native English learners have a
better experience in mastering vocabularies. For example, they always practice
their vocabularies for communication in their daily activities that make them
familiar and easier to master the vocabularies. In line with that, mastering
vocabulary enable native English learners
build their reading comprehension well. According to Manzo & Thomas
in Konza (2011), “Word provides the labels and the tools whereby increasingly
sophisticated concepts can be explored that helps build comprehension and thus
a key component of reading for meaning.” Moreover, native English learners
already have good English basic and better fluency that enable them to spend
less time to master English well. On the other hand, foreign English learners
need extra time and energy to master English. For example, they need to review
the materials many times to make them understand. Moreover, they still have
problems with their vocabulary like spelling and pronunciation that force them
to study hard by doing many practices that can make them success in mastering
vocabularies. In short, learning English as the foreign English and the mother
tongues shows the difficulty level difference that affect to the way students
learn.
Secondly,
the chances of practicing English. Native English speakers have many chances to
practice English. For example, they speak English confidently in daily
communication as well as academic purposes. As Ontario (2005) said that English
language learners naturally want to improve their comprehension of English
language for social and academic purposes which is used in everyday life, in
the community, and at school. In line with that, they are already good in
fluency and pronunciation that make them comfort to practice English. However,
foreign English learners have less chances to practice their English ability. For example, they just speak English in
particular situations when only needed like English speech contests and
answering teacher’s questions. In addition, they have limited vocabulary while
speaking that make them stop the conversation quickly. Finally, they don’t have
any friend to talk English to that make them forget their English competence.
In line with that, learning environment has affected the student’s learning
performance.
Despite
these differences, learning English as Foreign and mother tongue reveal some
similarities. First of all, both of two groups use the technology or social
media to make their English better. For example, They use English for
communication through chat room and
instant messaging that enable them to share ideas/ knowledge with people around
the world. According to Dingwell (2011:21), “Chat room and instant messaging
services provide people to have online conversation in real time
communication.“ In addition, they use blog to share what they have had. According to Dingwell (2011:19), “Blogging allows a person to share as
little or as much information, sharing through, feelings, forums, and life
experiences.” Moreover, both of English native and foreign learners use search
engineers to improve their English ability. Students can watch English videos
on YouTube or Dailymotion. They can access Learn English conversation,
JenifferESL, BBC learning English on the box seaching of YouTube or
Dailymotion. Finally, students can learn English literature through English
literature websites and English language centres.
Another
similarities is learning skills subjects. For example, both of them learn
speaking, writing, and reading subjects. Those subjects are very important to
be learned to improve students’ English skills. Students learn reading subject
to improve their critical thinking and comprehension of knowledge or ideas. As Brown & Camplone in Haryanto et al (2013) said that students are
required to understand the meaning of the text, critically evaluate the
message, remember the content, and apply the new found knowledge flexibly.” In
line with that, students learn writing to assert their feeling, ideas, and
knowledge by writing many articles, brainstorm the ideas, writing essays or
thesis. In addition speaking subject enable the students to express their
ideas, information, or concept to the listener.
In
short, learning English as a foreign language and mother tongue are not only
have differences, but they also have the similarities. Those differences will
show the differ outcome of learning achievement that can be achieved by
different group of students. The similarities show the amazing aspects that can
be gotten by both groups of students. Moreover, the differences can affect to
the students’ achievements that varied among two kinds of students. Native
English learners have more chances to be successful in learning process rather
that foreign language learners. In line with that, the similarities show both
students have same opportunity or place to practice English like using internet
that enable them to communicative with students around the world.
