The Benefits of Learning English Abroad
Hello everyone,
If you want to learn English, one of the best things you can do is study abroad in an English-speaking country.
While it is possible to learn English by taking classes in your home country, nothing can match the total immersion experience of being surrounded by native English speakers every day.
Living and studying abroad allows you to practice your English constantly in real-life situations.
This will help you master the language much faster than learning it in a classroom setting alone.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of learning English by studying abroad:
1. You will learn to speak English fluently.
When you immerse yourself in an English-speaking environment, you will be forced to use and practice your English every single day.
Whether you are ordering food at a restaurant, asking for directions, conversing with classmates, or talking to locals, you will get constant practice with spoken English.
At first, it may feel difficult and intimidating to speak English all the time. But after a few weeks or months, speaking the language will start to feel completely natural.
Your brain will get trained to think in English, and the words will start flowing much more easily. You will gain confidence in your spoken English abilities.
Immersing yourself abroad is the fastest way to achieve English fluency. In a classroom setting, you only practice English for a few hours per week.
But when you are studying abroad, you practice for 12+ hours per day through all your conversations and daily life experiences. This around-the-clock practice is incredibly valuable.
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2. Your listening skills will improve dramatically.
One of the toughest aspects of learning a new language is training your ear to understand native speakers when they talk at a normal, fast pace.
When you learn English only in a classroom, the listening practice often feels artificial because the audio recordings are clearly enunciated by non-native speakers.
But when you study abroad, you will be constantly exposed to native English speakers using slang, idioms, accents, and speaking at natural speeds.
At first, understanding everything you hear will be extremely challenging. But over time, your ear will become accustomed to how English actually sounds when spoken by locals.
Your listening comprehension skills will skyrocket after just a few months abroad.
3. You will gain a better understanding of English culture.
Language and culture are inextricably linked. When you immerse yourself in an English-speaking country, you will gain a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the culture behind the English language.
You will learn cultural references, idioms, humor, body language, and customs that you simply cannot pick up from a textbook.
For example, you may find that English speakers use certain slang words or expressions that don’t translate literally.
By living abroad, you will start to understand the deeper cultural context and meaning behind these linguistic quirks. You will become culturally fluent, not just proficient with vocabulary and grammar.
4. You can make local friends and practice constantly.
When studying English abroad, you will have a incredible opportunity to form friendships with locals who are native English speakers.
Unlike a classroom where you only interact with other non-native students, studying abroad allows you to spend time with native speakers on a regular basis.
Having local friends to hang out with is one of the best ways to accelerate your English skills. You can go out together, chat with them casually, and ask questions about slang, idioms, or anything you don’t understand.
Your friends can correct your mistakes in a friendly, natural way while you build lasting connections.
5. You can experience total language immersion.
While it is possible to create some immersion experiences when studying English in your home country, nothing compares to the level of total immersion you get from living abroad.
From watching English TV shows and movies to reading English menus, road signs, advertisements, and more – you will be completely surrounded by the language every minute of the day.
This degree of immersion is extremely valuable because it forces your brain to work in English at all times.
When you are only immersed a few hours per week in a classroom, it is easy for your mind to switch back to your native language during daily life.
But abroad, your English abilities will need to be “turned on” 24/7. This sustained, total immersion is incredibly effective for achieving fluency.
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6. You will gain cross-cultural understanding.
In today’s globalized world, cross-cultural communication skills are extremely valuable both professionally and personally.
When you decide to learn English by studying abroad, you will naturally expand your cross-cultural awareness, understanding, and competency as you navigate a new country and culture.
You will gain firsthand insight into different cultural norms, values, customs, and ways of life. This experience cannot be replicated in a classroom.
Going through the challenges of adjusting to a new culture will increase your empathy, worldliness, independence, and ability to embrace differences. These are all extremely attractive traits to future employers.
7. Studying abroad looks impressive on your resume.
Living abroad, especially for a longer period of time like six months or a year, demonstrates a high level of commitment, courage, independence, and willingness to step out of your comfort zone.
When applying for jobs, having study abroad experiences on your resume will help you stand out from other candidates. It shows you are well-rounded, adventurous, and globally-minded.
For students and young professionals, studying abroad for language immersion helps build an attractive skill set beyond just English proficiency.
You gain intercultural communication abilities, problem-solving experience, self-reliance, and an international perspective – all highly desired traits in the modern workforce.
8. You can travel to exciting new places.
One of the biggest perks of studying English abroad is the opportunity to explore a new country or region of the world.
When you are living in the country full-time, you have a home base that allows you to travel to different cities and sights on your days off or academic breaks.
Traveling locally gives you a chance to practice your English while experiencing diverse cultures within the same country.
Many students also use their time abroad as a launching point to travel regionally before or after their studies.
For example, someone studying in London could travel through the rest of the UK and Europe very easily. If you study in Australia, you are just a short flight away from incredible travel destinations through Asia and the South Pacific.
Living abroad opens up many exciting new travel opportunities.
9. You will build lifelong memories and friendships.
For most people, studying abroad is a challenging yet unforgettable experience that creates lifelong memories.
When you step out of your usual routine at home and immerse yourself in a new culture, you are bound to have many “firsts” that lead to personal growth.
If you choose to study abroad for a longer period like a semester or year, the personal transformation can be profound.
Not only will the memories last forever, but chances are you will make friends from all around the world that could become lifelong connections.
Having a global network is an incredible asset both personally and professionally in our highly connected world today.
The bonds you form while going through the unique experience of language immersion together can lead to deep friendships that stand the test of time.
Studying abroad takes a major commitment of time and money.
But for anyone serious about mastering the English language and expanding their cultural horizons, learning through total immersion is one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your personal and professional future.
Between the fluency gains, cultural competencies, worldly life experience, and unforgettable memories, the benefits of studying English abroad are unmatched.
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