A Guide for ESL Teachers: How to Teach the Historical Background of English Irregularities in Modern English

Serious and frequent criticisms by students in the ESL (English as a
Second Language) Program attempting to master the English language are
the chaotic spelling of English words and the lexical and grammatical
irregularities in English. In many cases, these exceptions originated
during the Old English Period (450-1100). Thereby, they may seem
illogical, senseless, and unreasonable at a simple glimpse to any ESL
student. However, if they are analyzed within an historical context,
each case becomes a rich, historical trait that makes English even more a
particular and interesting language to acquire, understand, and master.
The present study gauges how significant it is for ESL teachers to
have knowledge not only of English but also of the peculiarities of the
English language.