Four non-native English speaking (NNES) football players were asked about their experience of learning English in qualitative case studies to look at how their language proficiency helped the players to cope and adapt in England. The football players draw on various resources for learning, including formal and informal situations. Social practice, English classes and lessons and the surrounding English speaking environment have all played a part in the four participants’ acquisition of English and understanding regional dialects, in addition to their understanding of a new society and culture which has had to be learnt from the language. This research attempts to focus on the experience of NNES football players in England as English language learners, their experiences, and the issues they faced with the language barrier, on and off the pitch. It explores how the players learn English in a specific context, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), as well as looking at their language perceived needs as footballers, and attempts to find how learning English is important in their life and professional development.
