Avoid Student Roadblocks: Top Reasons for Not Making Progress in English

Bryce Purnell
7 min readOct 9, 2023

--

Do you ever find yourself wondering why your students or you are not making progress in English? Many English teachers struggle to help their students move beyond a certain level and it can be difficult to figure out the root of the problem.

Photo of me and the team at a group learning English with us in Cancun Mexico
Photo of me and the team at a group learning English with us in Cancun Mexico

In this Medium article, I will discuss the top reasons for why students are not making progress in English, based on my experience as an English teacher and founder of Learn Laugh Speak.

From lack of a plan to inadequate materials, I will cover the essential elements that can lead to roadblocks for students and discuss how to best address them and avoid not making progressing in English.

About me and Learn Laugh Speak

My name is Bryce Purnell, and I have spent over 5 years teaching English both online and in Mexico. Throughout my teaching career, I have worked with companies such as Coke a cola, Pepsi, Mazda, and Nissan.

However, it was during my time teaching in these companies that I noticed a significant gap in the way English was being taught to adult learners.

I discovered that many students were wasting time learning things that were not relevant to their needs.

In group lessons, students of different levels were using the same textbook, which didn’t make sense. Only one or two students out of a group of 10 were actually benefiting, while the others were left behind.

This realization led me to founder and develop Learn Laugh Speak, a comprehensive digital platform designed for learning reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Our platform offers instant corrections, 33,000 lessons, and 12 levels ranging from A1 to C2 CEFR Aligned.

Additionally, we provide access to 280,000 pre-recorded audios of native speakers, all aligned with the aspects of international testing for CEFR framework.

Our goal at Learn Laugh Speak is to provide the smartest and easiest way for students to learn English while ensuring they learn it correctly.

We understand the frustrations and roadblocks that students face, which is why our platform offers a tailored approach that focuses on individual needs.

By joining Learn Laugh Speak, students can finally experience a learning journey that is efficient, effective, and enjoyable.

The Frustration of Not Making Progress in English

Often students find themselves stuck and frustrated with their progress in learning English. They hit a roadblock where they can’t seem to move forward, no matter how much effort they put in.

This frustration can be overwhelming and discouraging, leading many students to question their abilities and lose motivation. It’s a common situation that many language learners face.

The reason for this roadblock is often a lack of a structured plan. When students reach higher levels of English, it becomes crucial to have specific goals and tailored homework based on their individual needs and mistakes.

Simply attending class and going through lessons one after the other is not enough. Students need their problem areas addressed so they can fully understand and work through them.

Without a clear plan, students may end up skipping over important concepts or continue making the same mistakes without realizing it. They may feel like they’re making progress, but in reality, they’re missing out on crucial skills or knowledge that will help them advance.

Having a structured plan allows students to focus on their weaknesses and spend more time on areas where they need improvement.

It provides direction and purpose to their learning journey. By addressing specific problem areas, students can gain a deeper understanding and build a solid foundation for future learning.

The frustration of hitting a learning roadblock is common, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. With a clear plan in place, students can overcome these challenges and continue making progress in English.

It’s important for both teachers and students to recognize the importance of tailored instruction and individualized support.

By addressing the specific needs of each student and providing targeted guidance, students can overcome their roadblocks and achieve success in their language learning journey.

The Importance of Having a Clear Plan

Having a clear plan is essential for students to make progress in English. At Learn Laugh Speak, we understand the importance of guiding students on their language learning journey. With a clear plan, students can focus on the specific areas they need to learn, ensuring that they make efficient progress.

Our automatic assessment tool analyzes each student’s proficiency and identifies the grammar concepts or vocabulary that they need to work on. This personalized approach allows students to concentrate on the areas where they need improvement, rather than wasting time on topics they already understand and keeps students motivated by progress and helps to avoid not making progress in English.

By following a clear plan, students can optimize their learning and achieve their language goals more effectively. Whether it’s mastering grammar, expanding vocabulary, or improving speaking skills, a clear plan ensures that students stay on track and make consistent progress in English. So, join us at Learn Laugh Speak and let us help you create a clear plan that will lead you to success in English!

Not Making Progress in English By Identify Areas for Progression

Identifying the key areas for progression is crucial for students to make effective progress in English. At Learn Laugh Speak, we understand the importance of targeted learning.

Our automatic assessment tool analyzes each student’s proficiency and identifies the specific grammar concepts or vocabulary that they need to work on. By pinpointing the areas where students struggle or need improvement, we can create a tailored plan that focuses on their individual needs.

This approach ensures that students are not wasting time on topics they already understand, but rather, concentrating on the areas that will have the biggest impact on their progress.

By identifying the key areas for progression, students can prioritize their learning and make significant advancements in their English skills. With this smart learning approach, students can save time and effort, achieving their language goals in a quicker and more efficient manner.

English progress is all about learning smart, not hard. By focusing on the specific areas that need improvement and bypassing what is already understood, students can pave a clear path to success.

This personalized approach has been proven to be effective, with countless students achieving significant progress in just a short amount of time.

Addressing Learning Gaps To Avoid Not Making Progress in English

English Progress can be hindered by learning gaps, or areas where students are lacking understanding or knowledge.

To avoid not making progress we need to address these gaps with a personalized approach is key to helping students overcome roadblocks and continue making progress in English.

One way to address learning gaps and avoid not making progress in English is by providing individualized instruction. By assessing each student’s strengths and weaknesses, teachers can identify specific areas that need improvement and tailor their instruction accordingly.

This may involve providing extra practice, using different teaching strategies, or offering additional resources to address the specific needs of each student.

Another approach is to provide targeted feedback. By giving specific feedback on areas that need improvement, students can better understand their weaknesses and work towards improving them.

This can be done through individual conferences, written comments on assignments, or peer review activities.

Furthermore, encouraging self-reflection and self-assessment can help students identify their own learning gaps. By asking students to reflect on their progress and identify areas where they struggle, they can take ownership of their learning and actively work towards improvement.

By tailoring instruction, providing targeted feedback, and encouraging self-reflection, teachers can empower students to actively engage in their own learning and achieve success in English.

Summary Of Helping Students Avoid Not Making Progress In English

I have personally witnessed the drawbacks of conventional teaching methods, where students waste time on irrelevant content and miss out on tailored guidance.

That’s why I founded Learn Laugh Speak, a comprehensive digital platform designed to optimize English learning. Our platform offers tailored solutions, including instant corrections, 33,000 lessons, and 12 proficiency levels.

The frustration of hitting a learning roadblock is common, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. A structured plan empowers students to focus on their weaknesses, build a solid foundation, and maintain steady progress. It’s crucial for both teachers and students to recognize the significance of personalized instruction and support.

At Learn Laugh Speak, we understand that a clear plan is the key to efficient progress. Our automatic assessment tool identifies specific areas of improvement, ensuring students concentrate on what truly matters.

By focusing on these areas, students can reach their language goals more effectively, whether it’s mastering grammar, expanding vocabulary, or improving speaking skills.

So, start learning smart and not hard and make English progress a reality.

You can start learning and make progress with your English today.
www.learnlaughspeak.com

--

--

Bryce Purnell
Bryce Purnell

No responses yet