Why might an individual who speaks a language historically related to English have an advantage in learning English as a second language?

An individual who speaks a language that is historically related to English is likely to have an advantage in learning English as a second language because many words and roots are likely to have similar spellings and meanings. English has borrowed extensively from other languages, particularly those in the Germanic family, as well as Romance languages such as Latin and French. This shared vocabulary can make it easier for learners to recognize and understand words in English that have cognates in their native language.

For example, a speaker of German might find the English words "house" and "Haus" or "water" and "Wasser" familiar due to their similar spelling and meaning. This linguistic connection can help learners make associations and build their vocabulary more rapidly than someone from a language family with fewer similarities. Familiarity with the roots and basic structures can also enhance comprehension and enable them to apply existing knowledge, thus facilitating quicker learning of English vocabulary and grammar.