5 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your English Language Studies.

1. Practice before you study abroad: Practice does make perfect, no matter how much of cliche it may be. Being prepared before you arrive in the UK/US is going to build up your confidence when studying the English language abroad. You may even impress the other students will your skills! Its always good to be ahead of the game. 

2. Befriend American/English students: Some students we have had come through our doors have felt a little shy about making friends with American or English students, as they feel their skills are not good enough...never feel this way! Especially as very few English students can actually speak a second language themselves, so they are usually very impressed with students who can. The majority of students will be more than happy to make friends (and the ones who aren't, you don't want as friends anyway), remember that you are from a land in which they may not know much about-you are the interesting one! And if they have been to your home country-then you have lots of things to talk about and opinions to share. This will naturally push you to improve your English language skills whilst making new friends-its a double whammy!

3. Learn from your American or English friends: Ask for feedback and allow your new friends to pick out any mistake you may be making. Please do not get offended by this-it is all for the greater good. Constructive critism can be so valuable. 

4. Absorb & Keep up to date: Read books, keep up with news and watch popular shows and movies. I naturally live as if I am a sponge, I am constantly looking for new things to learn and I love to learn. Extra curricular classes can be very helpful with this. You are stepping outside the realms of your usual study, learning a new topic and also expanding your vocabulary into a different field. 

5. If possible, become a tutor at your school: This one I cannot take credit for, an old friend of mine recommended this to me a few months ago, and it suddenly hit me again when I went to write this article. It is a fantastic idea. It keeps your brain thinking quickly about what you need to say next, it can be a great way to expand your vocabulary and tutoring is a very rewarding job too. Everyones happy! 

Well international students, I hope this has been helpful to you, but perhaps the best piece of advice I can give is to remain positive, be patients and BE CONFIDENT! More often than not, our students English language skills are a lot better than they believe they are, so go and show off your language skills and have fun doing it!

Amber Williams. 
Bearla International Studies
info.bearla@gmail.com