Are you patient with ESL (English as Second Language) speakers, whether it's in real life or Online?

In real life, sometimes I see people get frustrated with other people's accents.

[WishfulThinker66]

Accents have no bother to me. I do react - and differently according to the circumstances - however to poor English.

I have no issue with people for which English is not their first or primary language. I actually volunteer on occasion for programs pertaining to getting refugees' and immigrants' feet on the ground. Some of this involves coaching some basic English skills.

However, and yes I expect to be pounced and trounced upon on this point, I am quite bothered by poor English skills as displayed by people who ought to know better. If you have lived in an English speaking country all your life you really should know how to speak and write it. Take this very forum for example... I am floored yet again and again. I assume these people have had some education; even an elementary one ought to have instilled some basic skills. The thing is, if you at all pay attention to these things, it is not people for whom English is a second language that context, diction, and grammar poses a great problem. You can tell, yes, that it might be a struggle. A quick look at where they're from and you can see they are from a nation that speaks a different language. I have to commend them for doing as good a job as they are. The shock and frustration though stems from those who really should have their own language down pat. I wonder over and over how such people managed to reach high school. I am amazed everyday.

[eskielover]

I have no problem with ESL. I grew up in So Calif & even many of the sign boards were in spanish.

What I have a serious problem with is American customer service numbers when you get a foreign person you are trying to communicate with who can't even understand what you are asking & can't even answer your question while THEY are absolutely certain they did.

Ugh I encountered this even with the IRS after waiting on the phone for over an hour to have my call answered. Got this guy with a thick German accent who just couldn't grasp what I was asking while he was absolutely certain he did. That got resolved with a supervisor but he sure wasn't willing to let me talk to one either. This is NOT ok for customer service positions. While if I get a fireign accent & they are capable of providing the help I need.....no problem.

[healingme4me]

Yes, I'm patient. I grew up in a very bilingual region and live now in another. Accents are just that, accents. I probably struggle more hearing through Southern US accents as I've learned of myself through various employment through the years than I do a spanish or french esl accent. Perhaps my mind is trained to do so? Early childhood exposure?
I've noticed that my sons can listen through accents as well. It was something recent that happened which I cannot for the life of me remember which moment but I felt how they carried themselves in that moment spoke volumes.

[eskielover]

I probably struggle more hearing through Southern US accents

lol....me to....when I first moved here from Calif I had a most difficult time with the way some southerners here talked. After asking them to repeat 5+ times I would finally say...."could you spell that?" I never had that problem with Spanish or Italian accents.

I bet the people in Italy thought my Italian accent was horrible though....but they ALL wanted to practice their English while I wanted to practice my Italian

[piggy momma]

I work in an airport and deal with people from every country in the world. I have developed a patience and understanding for people from other countries.