Introduction: How to Improve your Language Skills

Studying abroad is a great way to learn new things and one of the best things you can learn is a new language skill. When you live in another country, you hear the language every day. This helps you to speak better, listen better, and understand more.

But you must be thinking and questioning yourself about how you can improve your language skills quickly and easily while you are studying abroad? In this article, we will share simple tips to help you get better at speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

If you are planning to study in another country. Global Education Counselling Centre is one of the top consultancies in Kathmandu and can help you choose the right place to study and learn new skills. Many students trust our consultancy for getting the best advice and support.

Immerse Yourself in the Language Daily to Improve your Language Skills

The best way to improve your language skills while studying abroad is to use the language every day in nearly every part of your life. When you live in a country where people speak a different language, you get a great chance to learn it faster from listening and speaking to them. 

Here are some easy ways to improve your language skills :

• Speak with locals: Try to talk with people around you like your classmates, neighbors, shopkeepers, or even your bus driver. The more you speak, the better your language skill will get.
• Use the language at home: If you stay with a host family or local roommates, try to speak their language at home too. This helps you learn fast.
• Change your phone and apps to the new language: This may be difficult to do at first but this method helps you to see and read the language all the time and thus increase your language proficiency.
• Listen to music or watch shows: You can also try watching TV, movies, or YouTube in the local language there which helps you to hear how people really talk.
• Try writing in the language: You can also try writing in their language, first you start small then slowly you can write your daily diary or short notes in the language you are learning quite easily with familiarity.

When you use the language daily, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident. If you're not sure which country or course is right for you, we Global Education Counselling Centre can help you choose the best place to study and grow your skills.

Take Advantage of Language Classes and University Resources to Improve your Language Skills

When you're studying abroad, your school or university has many resources to help you improve your language skills. You just have to use them properly and effectively! These classes and resources are made to help international students like you.

Here are some easy ways to learn better:

• Join language classes: Many universities provide language classes for students who are still learning. These classes help you speak, read, and write better.
• Visit the language lab: Some schools also have language labs where you can listen, speak, and practice using computers or apps.
• Ask for help: Don’t be shy to ask for help. You can ask teachers or tutors to explain things if you don’t understand. They are there to help you and will gladly help you too.
• Study with friends: Try to make a study group with classmates who also want to learn. You can practice together and help each other and make great friends along the way too.
• Use free resources: Schools also mostly give free books, worksheets, or websites where you can practice and improve your language skill.

Surround Yourself with the Language to Improve your Language Skills

When you are studying abroad, the best way to improve your language skills is to hear and use the language all the time. Try to make the language a part of your daily life, even outside the classroom.

Here are some easy ways to do that:

• Watch movies and shows in the local language. Use subtitles at first if needed. This helps you learn how people really talk.

• Listen to music and podcasts in the language you are learning. This improves your listening and helps you learn new words more easily and effectively.

• Follow local social media accounts. Try reading posts, comments, or videos in the new language to get familiar with the words, accent.

• Read books, comics, or news in simple language. Even reading just a little every day will slowly but surely grow your vocabulary and make you fluent in the language after some time.

• Label things around your room. For example, write “door,” “table,” or “mirror” in the new language and stick it on the item. This helps you remember words easily.

• Talk to yourself in the language. It sounds funny, but it is really effective and will help you get better at thinking and speaking faster.

Be Patient and Embrace Mistakes

When you are learning a new language while studying abroad, it’s okay to make mistakes as everyone does and it's totally normal so you don’t have to worry or work yourself up at all. The most important thing for you to do is to keep trying and never give up.

Here’s how you can stay positive and keep improving your language skills:

• Don’t be afraid to speak: It’s okay if you say something wrong. People will understand that you're just learning, and they will also try to help you.
• Learn from mistakes: Every time you make a mistake, you learn something new so don’t feel down if you do make mistakes. Mistakes are an important process that help you grow.
• Take your time: Learning a new language skill takes some time so don’t try to rush. Practice a little every day, and you’ll get better slowly but surely.
• Stay positive: You can also try celebrating small wins like understanding a full sentence or speaking without stopping, cheer yourself at your progress.
• Keep practicing: The more you speak, listen, read, and write, the faster you will improve your language.

Connect with Locals and Build Relationships to Improve your Language Skills

Talking with local people is one of the best ways to improve your language skills while studying abroad. It helps you speak naturally, understand the culture, and feel more confident.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Make local friends: Try to make friends with people who live in the country. You can talk, hang out, and practice speaking in real situations making you familiar with the language there.

• Join clubs and events: Try joining school clubs, sports teams, or cultural events. You’ll meet with various locals and learn new words while also having fun and enjoying your time there.

• Live with locals: If you stay with a host family or share a room with local students, you’ll speak the language more often and learn faster.

• Volunteer or work part-time: Helping in the community or working a small job lets you meet more people and speak the language daily. Working part-time is especially best as it helps you to earn money while also allowing you the chance to learn and familiarize with the language there.

• Ask questions: Don’t be shy and hesitant to ask locals how to say something or what a word means. Most people are happy to help.

Building relationships with locals not only improves your language skills, but also helps you understand their culture and way of life while also creating a network for you that will also help you to find new job opportunities too.

Conclusion On How to Improve your Language Skills

To improve your language skills while studying abroad is simple when you:

1. Practice consistently if possible every day

2. Use your university’s classes and tools

3. Surround yourself with the language

4. Stay patient and learn from mistakes

5. Make friends with local people

Follow these easy steps and you will improve your language skills quickly in no time at all, gain new skills, and feel confident in any country as you can learn any language easily with these experiences.

Start your study-abroad adventure today by contacting us to find your best abroad destinations, then build strong language skills there, and open the door to a bright future!