17 Things You Should Never Say to English Learners
Your words matter! Learn 17 phrases that can harm English learners and what to highlight instead to boost their confidence and progress.
Learning English is a journey filled with challenges and victories. Your words can either inspire confidence or create doubt. Encouragement helps learners progress, while negative comments can make them feel discouraged. Here are 17 things you should never say to English learners and why they can be harmful.
1. “Your English is terrible.”
This comment is demoralizing and unhelpful. Instead, acknowledge their effort and offer constructive feedback when needed. A better approach is to highlight what they do well and gently guide them toward improvement.
2. “You’ll never be fluent.”
Fluency takes time, practice, and patience. Never tell someone they can’t achieve their goals — encourage them instead. Many learners become fluent through consistent effort, exposure, and confidence-building experiences.
3. “You have a strong accent.”
Accents are natural and show cultural diversity. Instead of pointing it out, focus on their ability to communicate effectively. Everyone has an accent, even native speakers. The goal should be clarity, not eliminating their unique voice.
4. “Why don’t you just speak English at home?”
Not everyone has the opportunity to practice English daily. Respect their language learning process and personal choices. Family members may not speak English, and switching languages constantly can be mentally exhausting.
5. “That’s not how a native speaker would say it.”
There are many ways to express the same idea. Instead of dismissing their phrasing, offer an alternative if necessary. Language is flexible, and different ways of saying things can still be correct and effective.
6. “You should know this by now.”
Every learner progresses at their own pace. Rather than making them feel bad, help them understand the concept. English has many tricky rules, and forgetting or misunderstanding something is completely normal.
7. “I don’t understand you.”
This phrase can make learners feel self-conscious. Instead, ask them to repeat or clarify in a supportive manner. Saying “Could you repeat that more slowly?” or “Can you say it another way?” is much more encouraging.
8. “English is easy.”
For many, English is challenging due to its irregular rules and exceptions. Recognize their effort instead of trivializing their struggle. Just because English might be easy for you doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone.
9. “You don’t need perfect grammar to speak.”
While communication is the goal, grammar helps with clarity. Encourage learning without downplaying its importance. Mistakes are fine, but understanding grammar structures helps learners express themselves better.
10. “Just think in English.”
Thinking in another language takes time. Instead of giving unrealistic advice, suggest immersive methods to practice English naturally. Encouraging reading, writing, and speaking exercises can be more effective.
11. “You’re saying it wrong.”
Mistakes are part of learning. Instead of harshly pointing them out, gently correct them and provide encouragement. Language learning should be a safe space where learners feel comfortable making and fixing errors.
12. “You’ll never sound like a native speaker.”
Many learners aim for clarity, not perfection. Instead of focusing on “sounding native,” encourage effective communication. Pronunciation improves over time, and perfecting it isn’t necessary to be understood.
13. “You don’t need to learn big words.”
Vocabulary growth is essential for expression. Every word learned expands their ability to communicate ideas more precisely. Dismissing advanced vocabulary can limit their potential to express complex thoughts.
14. “Just watch English TV shows, and you’ll learn.”
While TV can help, it’s not enough. Learning requires active practice, structured study, and real-life conversations. Listening is useful, but learners also need speaking and writing practice to improve.
15. “Your language is so different from English — it must be hard.”
Highlighting differences can make learners feel discouraged. Instead, focus on similarities or strategies to make learning easier. Every language has challenges, but emphasizing difficulties can create unnecessary fear.
16. “You’ll never fully understand English culture.”
Language and culture are connected, but understanding grows with exposure. Avoid limiting beliefs and encourage exploration. Many non-native speakers deeply understand English culture through study, travel, and experience.
17. “Why do you need English anyway?”
People learn English for various reasons — work, travel, education, or personal growth. Instead of questioning their motivation, support their efforts. Learning another language opens doors and provides opportunities beyond what we might assume.
Final Thoughts
Language learning is a process that requires patience, practice, and encouragement. Your words have power — use them to inspire confidence, not fear. Help English learners feel supported by offering kindness, constructive feedback, and positive reinforcement.
