They know English for a few reasons. One, they observe us, two, they are gifted with speech.. some I suspect actually talk in another language and we just hear it as English. So there are a variety of ways.

As for why they don’t just appear, the world is not currently very friendly to them in many places. Like many other fae, they feel at home in a wooded area. But they require a special kind. One with history of some sort and a positive flow.

They prefer not to show themselves because, despite how noble they are, and how helpful they usually are, they are sensitive. They have a higher attunement with emotion and certain forms of life.

Now, if you were in their shoes, what might you see? Often they see humans as a risk, for they are confused as to why we cut down forests instead of live in them. For many elves, we as a race are betraying their friends. To a people who do this to the forests so often, especially when all they’d have to do is open our eyes, what would appearing do?

It would just put them in harms way.. but they still want to help, and still want to defend nature, so they do it quietly.. if your lucky, sometimes you may see them though. Best way to do so is to “act like an elf.”

Defend their home, stick up for the fae, plants, and the animals in the area and spend time in reflection of it all. Show them by constant deed you are a friend to the forest. Elves don’t like to be seen though, so remember if you want to meet one, you’ll have better odds if your alone in a private outdoor area, like a thicket of trees.