There are now opportunities to learn English just about anywhere in the world, either at an English school or through the Web. However, the fastest and best way to improve your English is still to spend some time in an English speaking country immersed in both language and culture.
Not only will living and studying overseas improve every aspect of your English skills, it will also provide you with an invaluable opportunity to experience life in a different society and culture. This experience will, I believe, greatly enrich your future life. I am English by birth, but have had the privilege to spend several years living in Japan as an English teacher. I can honestly say this has been one of the happiest and most rewarding periods of my life.
Where to study
The first thing to think about when deciding to study abroad is where you would like to study. To get the most from your visit you should try to engage with your host country as fully as possible. For instance, if you choose England you'll probably want to visit an English pub, eat fish and chips and go to a football match. Try to choose somewhere you think you'll enjoy.
Do some searching on the Internet, or visit the travel section of your local library. Which places are you most attracted to? Have any of your friends or colleagues studied abroad? Ask them about their experiences. Remember, though, not everyone likes the same things.
Once you've decided on a country, think about whether you'd prefer to be in a busy city, or surrounded by nature. Perhaps you can find somewhere that combines the two.
Would you like to stay in student accommodation, or homestay with a host family? Student accommodation offers more privacy, but homestay will really give you the chance to experience another culture from the inside. Some students have formed lifelong friendships through homestay.
Try to make some penpals (or these days, e-mail pals) in your chosen country before you arrive. There are numerous free social networking and penpal sites on the Web. Penpals will tell you more about your intended destination and can show you around once you arrive.
Choice of school
Though you will probably learn more English outside school than in the classroom, your choice of school is still important.
Things to look for in choosing a school include the qualifications and experience of the teachers, accreditation by a recognized body and the range of levels and options available, eg whether the school offers business English or exam preparation.
You can search for schools and even register with one before you leave home. Often schools will be able to assist with finding accommodation and arranging your visa. Avoid schools that require you to sign up, and pay in advance, for a long period before you've even experienced the lessons. Good schools will generally allow you to sign up for short periods at a time.
You may also want to avoid schools with many students of your own nationality. Although it may at first seem comforting to have classmates from your own country you will not make the best of your trip if you most of your time communicating in your own language and lose the opportunity to immerse yourself in English.
Studying in English
If you already have a fairly good level of English you might choose to study the subject of your choice in an English speaking country alongside native-speaking classmates.
Most importantly, learn as much as you can, and enjoy the experience.
Johnny is a TESOL qualified ESL teacher with several years experience in Japan. He runs the Web site English the international language offering online lessons, resources and advice for learners and teachers of English as a second language worldwide. Join eil.connect, our social network. |
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