Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[dreamer82]

Hi!

I'm an university student who is eager to speak English fluently like anyone here.

Nowaday, a lot of students from non English-speaking countries are crazy about going abraod to conquer the world language.

In Korea, which is my country, there are a great number of students crossing the ocean to learn English regardless of their econimic situation.
Not all, but most of the students are supported by their parents.

Going abroad to study English seems like a required step people wanting to learn English should do.

I think going abroad is only a better way, not the best way.

What do you think about the going-abroad boom? Isn't there any other way to improve English ability at home?

ESL teachers' opinions could be also welcoming!

[Corey]

Dreamer,

In my opinion, it is necessary to live in an English-speaking country. You can pick up much more everyday "street" language" (which is hardly ever taught in the classroom).

I know I couldn't have learned the Spanish I know now living in Canada.

Good luck
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[fatggiee]

Corey,

Do U think living in a hospital will make you a doctor?
Do U think living in a bank will make you a millionaire?
Street-talk isn't necessary GOOD-TALK and it surely isn't necessary GOOD-ENGLISH!
The fact is - as English is such an international language, it really doesn't matter where you are. And unlike any other languages, like Chinese or Spanish, you can get in touch with English just anywhere in the world.
The point is - it only matters on how much is your determination to learn.

For me, I learn my English here in Hong Kong and I'm quite comfortable with it.

[Shac]

dear all:
well, i think it all depends upon how great the goals r and how best u want to make urself with'em. certainly, it is just impossible for a man to become a fish even if he would live underwater but at least he could become naturally part of them better than those living on the grounds who want to have a great intelligence on fish world. without the real environment for which one learns the language, nobody can exactly learn it well, but here comes another question, what's the definition to "fluency in a language"? i can speak my mother tongue without no doubt but am i really speaking my native word correctly? no one knows because no one would doubt my mastery in my language. the point is others i talk with understand what i mean.
if u want to be really into the language, undoubtedly, to indulge urself into the environment is just the way to go, but if u just wanna know how to "communicate with others", remember even body language is available and this concept is better than avoiding making any mistakes which is one of the best ways to learn a non-native language.
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[Debroah]

language is just for communication,making people understand what you mean,even the body language is also available.If u can communicate with people, it show that u have been good at grasping the language.But if you wanna use the language in academic,I think there's no need to go aboard.Because even the native-speaking people can not say an complete
right native language.

[river1974]

Speaking of learning English, I guess it depends on the purpose for learning. If you need to communicate with foreign customers frequently, maybe you should focus on English speaking. If you need to translate documents or write mails to foreign customers in English, then you should practice English reading and writing more often. I guess it's a good way to learn English abroad. But if you don't have enough money or time, you still can make yourself a fine environment for learning English, such as listening to English broadcast, taking English lessons after school or work and keeping a diary in English, etc.. Certainly, I will study abroad as long as I save enough money. After all, studying abroad can not noly improve my English comprehension but open up my eyesight.

[Corey]

[Anne Curtis]

Corey, I'm an ESL teacher-in-training so I'm visiting this website to learn what it offers for my future students. Since you said you'd be interested in hearing from teachers as well as students, I decided to respond. I am interested in your question for several reasons. One, when I was in university, I majored in French. My family couldn't afford to send me on a study-abroad program so I studied French as best I could in the U.S. After university, I taught French for one year and realized that if I really wanted to speak French, I would need to live in a French-speaking country for a year. So, that's what I did and it made all the difference. I went to Paris, lived with a French family as a nanny and attended classes. Even though my friends who were from Germany and Holland could speak English, we made an agreement that we would speak French with each other and that helped alot. I wish I could tell you that you don't need to go live in an English-speaking country in order to be fluent in English but if you have only been learning English for a few years, it's probably the best way to become really fluent.

[Corey]

This is exactly what I mean. The same thing happened to me when I moved to Costa Rica. I am sure if I had stayed at home and studied Spanish in a college or university I would not know as much now as I do (maybe not even half ).

Regards,

Corey
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