Going to college as a non-native English speaker may be daunting. You might be anxious about whether you can keep up in class, are be able to communicate with peers, and understand what is required for you. The great news is that you can prepare for English-speaking colleges by learning how to speak fluent English before you leave. Here are ways of preparing for college as a non-native speaker:
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Take Advantage Of E-Learning
E-learning has provided many opportunities to learn a skill or trade in a convenient manner. You can enroll in a live online English course before you leave for college to enhance your language skills. The beauty of learning English online is that you cut down on costs compared to when you enroll in a language school since you can study from the convenience of your own home.
You can benefit from an interactive learning space that’s available at any time of the day, meaning you don’t have to drastically change your lifestyle to accommodate this. The high-quality learning is done at your own pace with a certification at the end of the program. Make sure to give the free trial opportunities a go so you can see how you will participate in quality English lessons.
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Download English Apps
You can find different English apps to help you pronounce and recognize words. Apps are convenient in that these are a click away when you wish to learn. However, interactive platforms are more ideal because of the communication aspect of the language. Apps can complement qualitative lessons before you head off to college.
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Hire A Tutor
Find a tutor in your area who can provide English language services. Together, you can agree on the style of learning the language, frequency, and method of testing of knowledge. A tutor can identify the areas that you need improvement on, and develop a style that suits you to help you become confident in the language.
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Read English Novels
Reading novels can enhance your understanding of a language. From grammar to sentence structure and tone, you can begin to improve while getting lost in a story. You can access English e-books on various online platforms, join a book club, or visit a local library. Whichever means is most convenient for you to enjoy an English novel while improving in the language is a way for you to prepare for college as a non-native speaker.
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Write Stories
Writing stories can also increase your confidence in the language. The subjects that you are to enroll in will be taught in English and require you to write in the language. You can do some creative writing on a topic that you enjoy to help you form descriptive sentences. You may have to show your script to a native English speaker and they can tell you where your strengths are, and help you in the areas where you might need improvement. Never get discouraged at improving your English skills. Native English speakers always have room to improve in the language as well.
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Have Discussions And Conversations
You can create a group with both native and non-native English speakers so you can share English conversations and discussions. Topics of discussion can be agreed upon and each group member is provided a chance to speak on the topic. Discussing English topics in the group will create a space where you and the members can help each other to improve in the verbal skill of the language. Group settings can also help build your confidence in speaking in front of a crowd, which is what you will need to do when in college with your peers.
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Use Informative Entertainment
Learning English doesn’t always have to be in a professional setting. For example, enjoying an informative documentary on television can help you in your English skills. You can grasp new words and find out the meanings in a dictionary, for instance. Keep in mind that different nationalities pronounce certain words differently, and have varying accents. Depending on the location of your college, you might be able to understand how certain words are pronounced and how these are used in context.
Conclusion
Preparing for college as a non-native English speaker might seem as if it’s a difficult task. Always remember that you have convenient tools to help you, such as live online English lessons. You can complement these by downloading an English language app, forming a discussion group, hiring a local tutor, reading English novels, doing creative writing, and enjoying English television shows. Never get discouraged if you feel as if you aren’t making much progress. Even English speakers are constantly learning the new dynamics about the language. There’s always room for improvement, and with patience, you will see the progress.
