The linguistic and cultural background of an ELL can have a significant impact on their comprehension. For example, if an ELL has a background in a language that does not use the same alphabet as English, they may have difficulty understanding written English. Additionally, if an ELL has a cultural background that does not emphasize the same values as the English language, they may have difficulty understanding the nuances of the language. For example, an ELL from a culture that values direct communication may have difficulty understanding the subtleties of English, such as sarcasm or irony. Finally, an ELL's cultural background may also influence their understanding of certain topics, such as history or politics.
