Tips on Improving Your English Skills
Posted: October 04, 2023 | Author: Martina Istrefi | Read Time: 2 minutes
When students come to study in a new country with a different native language, getting used to everything that surrounds them can be very hard. Some students have the opportunity to begin learning English in their home country before studying abroad, others are less familiar, but becoming proficient in a new language is a difficult task for everyone. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make it easier!
Here are some tips on how to improve your English skills and help your experience in the United States:
Practice by reading or watching TV
Having to change your language is difficult so practicing is essential. To do so you can read in English every night. Doing so you will expand your vocabulary and know more words. Something else you can do in your own time is watch movies/TV shows in English. Lots of students usually prefer to watch something in their native language but if you do so in English it will help you understand and also learn new words. The first time may be a bit difficult but you can always turn on subtitles in English.
Don’t stay in your room all day- go out and make friends
Making friends will help you with your social experience and language. Having friends whose first language is English will help you improve your language skills. You can learn new words and expressions commonly used in everyday conversations. Interacting with native speakers will also provide you with the opportunity to practice your speaking and listening skills in a real-world context. So, don't hesitate to join clubs, attend events or participate in activities that interest you. This will not only help you with your language but also enrich your social experience.
Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself
Sometimes, people talk too fast without noticing it, making it extra difficult for non-native speakers to understand what they are saying. So, don't hesitate to politely ask the speaker to slow down or repeat what they just said. Everyone has the right to be heard and understood, so don't be afraid to assert yourself in a respectful way.
Ask your teachers for help
When you’re in class and don’t understand what the teacher is saying ask for help. My native language is Italian and last year I was an exchange student in Missouri. During my first months at the new school, understanding teachers was hard. But I was always asking them to repeat or to explain to me something I didn’t understand. Teachers know that it can be challenging for international students and will always be more than happy to help them with everything they need or don't understand.
Tags: Study Abroad Student Life International Affairs
