English Linguistics: Difficulties in English for Japanese EFL Learners

摘要

This paper presents a summary of several of the major difficulties Japanese EFL learners face when learning English a second language. In particular, the influence of the L1 on L2 language learning is highlighted. Particular reference is made to language distance phonological, and lexical problematicity and the resulting effects on linguistic performance. It is recognized that although the teaching environment and the quality of teaching are often criticized as inferior, no acknowledgement is made of the real difficulties which exist in second language learning for Japanese learners.