What is a difficulty encountered by Spanish ELLs in syllable patterns?

Spanish ELLs often face difficulties with open syllable structures in English due to differences in syllable formation and pronunciation rules between Spanish and English. In Spanish, open syllables (those that end in a vowel) are quite common, while closed syllables (which end in a consonant) are also prevalent. However, when transitioning to English, Spanish ELLs may struggle with the frequency and variety of open syllables, particularly because many English phonetic elements, stress patterns, and syllable structures can differ significantly from those in their native language.

In English, a syllable can be structured in various ways that might be less familiar to Spanish speakers, particularly in terms of the number of consonants that can cluster at the beginning or end of syllables. This can lead to confusion and mispronunciation when they encounter new vocabulary. Understanding and recognizing open syllables in English is crucial for Spanish ELLs as it impacts their reading, writing, and overall language acquisition process.