What is a common challenge related to learning English faced by students when encountering homographs?

Students often encounter challenges with homographs because these words share the same spelling but can have different meanings and may even be pronounced differently. This duality can lead to confusion when trying to determine which meaning is intended based on the context in which the word appears. For example, the word "lead" could refer to a metal or the act of guiding, and understanding which interpretation fits requires comprehension of the surrounding text.

This is particularly problematic in English due to its rich vocabulary and varied pronunciation rules. As students learn to read and engage with more complex texts, this challenge becomes more pronounced, because context clues are crucial in discerning the correct meaning. Overcoming this difficulty is essential for effective communication and comprehensive understanding of English written material.