Why might an ELL struggle to differentiate between /b/ and /v/ sounds?

The correct answer highlights the fundamental difference in how sounds are treated in English compared to the student's first language. In English, /b/ and /v/ are distinct phonemes, meaning they can change the meaning of words when pronounced differently (for instance, "bat" vs. "vat"). However, in some languages, these sounds might not be treated as separate phonemes but rather as different articulations of the same phoneme, known as allophones.

This distinction can create confusion for English Language Learners (ELLs) because they may not be used to distinguishing between these sounds in their native language and therefore might not have developed the auditory discrimination needed to hear and produce the sounds accurately. As a result, when they transition to learning English, they might struggle to differentiate between them, leading to challenges in pronunciation and comprehension.

Understanding this contrast helps address why ELLs might find these specific sounds difficult, emphasizing the relationship between phonemic awareness in their first language and their ability to acquire similar distinctions in English.