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Slang is a significant aspect of everyday language. We use it in conversations, movies, and all other aspects of life. ESL students need to learn and understand what English slang terms mean if they are to live in predominantly English speaking countries. The main reason ESL students should learn slang is because of those who go on to live in a predominantly English-speaking country. They will most likely encounter slang in some aspect of their lives. Their peers in the workplace may use slang English and then they’ll find themselves having trouble communicating with them if they do not understand. Learning and producing slang will make him or her more fluent and understandable to a native speaker (Dunsmore). It is especially essential for those who wish to communicate and interact with other people. ESL students can communicate and understand the group of native English speakers more effectively by learning slang. “Students will have a better understanding of the values and quirks of a certain group of native English speakers” (Dunsmore). For example, in the United States of America, slang varies from coast-to-coast. In northern California, young people say “hella” when describing something considerably. In New York, someone may say, “it’s brick out there,” which means that it is very cold or freezing outside. Some slang is more common via the Internet, used primarily by millennials or Gen Z and may not be appropriate to the students he or she is teaching. Of course, there is plenty of other slang that are more common acronyms and words used by all generations. Some common slang includes “ASAP”, “jack”, and “ride shotgun”. They mean “as soon as possible”, “to steal”, “or to sit in the front seat of the car”. Teaching slang, especially common slang, to ESL students is beneficial for several reasons. Slang can help ESL students improve their English in several ways. They can learn more idioms and be exposed to language seen and heard in different forms of media. Learning slang can help them become more comfortable in normal conversation, and improve their fluency and listening skills (Hein). Since slang is a part of everyday conversation, I believe that it is essential to teach it to students who plan to immigrate to English-speaking countries. It will help them become more comfortable with the language. It is something that cannot be avoided, and it is best to learn in the classroom first. That being said, there are reasons why I could see teachers do not teach slang in the classroom. The primary concern for teaching slang seems to be taboo words such as vulgar, curse words. While I do understand they can be intertwined in the slang category, that does not mean that curse words need to be taught in the classroom. There is plenty of slang in the English language, whether you are speaking it in the United States, England, or Australia, that is not profanity. There are slang words that are appropriate for all ages and situations, just like the ones mentioned earlier. Those are the kind of slang terms that should be taught in an ESL classroom so students can effectively communicate with the peers of the country they plan to work in, move to, and study in. Slang is not going away, and new terms will be created by the next generation. Learning slang terms will help anyone, both native and non-native speakers alike, who wish to communicate with another. While teachers cannot teach their students every slang term, it will be beneficial to teach the basics. Their students will be able to understand what is being said when talking to native English speakers. Bibliography Dunsmore, Linda. “How Teaching Slang Can Benefit Your ESL Students.” ITTT - International TEFL and TESOL Training, ITTT Tefl, 18 Mar. 2019, www.teflcourse.net/blog/how-teaching-slang-can-benefit-your-esl-students-ittt-tefl-blog/. Hein, Ketain. “Dis Class Is Lit Fam! – Teaching Slang in the ESL Classroom.” So, You Think You Can Teach ESL?, 31 Jan. 2018, soyouthinkyoucanteachesl.com/2018/01/31/dis-class-is-lit-fam-teaching-slang-in-the-esl-classroom/.
