contents

1 Expose yourself in the Language

2 Participate in local activity

3 Improve your listening and speaking skills

4 Keep a daily English journal

5 Use language learning apps and online resources 

6 Overcome the fear of making mistakes 

7 Conclusion

 

Introduction

 

Studying abroad is an exciting and great experience, especially for those who want to improve their English skills. 

However, simply being in an English- speaking country doesn’t automatically guarantee fluency and many students struggle to communicate confidently in English even when they are in English-speaking country. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to improve your English, but it can be challenging if you don’t use the right strategies.

 Here are some effective ways to boost your English skills while studying abroad.

 

1. Expose yourself in the language

 The best way to improve your English is to surround yourself with the language as much as possible. Try to use English in your daily activities, whether it’s ordering food at a restaurant, shopping for groceries, or asking for directions. Make the effort to use English as much as possible, other than in school. It’s understandable to want to rely on your own country’s community and the language community. But you can use this opportunity well, speak English with your friends with the same first language. In this situation, you can ask anytime with your first language what you don’t come up with how to say in English, and also you would be able to point out mistakes to your friends. 

And as another way, it is a great way to immerse is to change the language settings on your phone, social media, and streaming services to English. This small change can help you get accustomed to the language in your everyday life. You can adapt to small things to improve your skills.

2. Participate in local activity

To be honest, the best way to improve your English would be to meet and talk to people face. 

By attending events and participating in club activities, you may not only make new friends, but you may also share your problems with others in similar situations and help each other improve. 

In terms of actually using English, part-time jobs and volunteer activities are great opportunities. In these situations, you will have the chance to communicate in English and build confidence in real-life situations.

 

3. Improve your listening and speaking skills

One of the biggest challenges in learning English is understanding native speakers. To improve your listening skills, watch English movies or TV shows without subtitles and listen to English podcasts or audiobooks. Try repeating phrases to improve your pronunciation and fluency. 

For speaking practice, engage in conversations as much as possible. It’s good to start by practicing with language exchange partners or classmates. If you don’t have much time to speak English, talking with apps like ChatGPT is also a great way. They can become the person who talk with you.  You can talk without caring about people’s eyes.

 

4. Keep a daily English journal 

Writing daily in English helps improve your vocabulary, grammar, and ability to express thoughts clearly. Start by writing short daily entries about your day and gradually challenge yourself to write longer reflections or essays. 

If possible, ask a native speaker or teacher to review your writing and provide feedback. Over time, you will notice significant improvement in your ability to structure sentences and use appropriate expressions.

 

5. Use language learning apps and online resources

Technology provides many tools to improve your English efficiently. Apps like Duolingo, BBC Learning English can help expand your vocabulary and grammar knowledge. 

And also, there are a lot of platforms of online English conversation, such as native camp. Engaging with these resources everyday will help reinforce what you learn in your daily life. 

 

6. Overcome the fear of making mistake

Making mistakes is part of the learning process. You should keep in mind when you learn a language. Many students hesitate to speak English because they are afraid of making mistakes. However, mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Instead of worrying about being perfect, focus on getting your message across. The more you practice, the more confident you will become. It is more fun to talk with someone who is confident than with someone who shows a complete lack of confidence, and the other person will be more willing to deepen the conversation. 

A helpful mindset is to see every conversation as a learning experience. If you don’t understand something, ask the person to repeat or explain in simpler words. Most people appreciate the effort and are willing to help.

 

Conclusion

Improving your English while studying abroad requires active effort and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. 

Take every opportunity to practice, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning! Your English will improve naturally as you adapt to your new environment and experiences.