The problem is all the focus in schools is written English and very little to none on verbal English.
Have a good friend who is a school district administrator. When I get the glassy eyed look on a word, just pull out the notepad and pen and write it down. It always works.
Is there a fix to the system, probably not. Would take a top down change in the system. To focus on verbal English would require teachers who can communicate in English. That would cost way too much.