Language tips for moving to an English-speaking country

Are you moving to an English-speaking country in 2020? Adjusting to a new country as an expatriate is always a challenge but also usually an exciting opportunity to learn a new language or improve your existing level of competency.

We’ve put together our best tips for immersing yourself in English so you can rapidly master the language, operate independently, integrate and establish new social circles. 

8 tips for total immersion in English

1.      Live with native English speakers 

This total form of immersion is the very best way to improve your English skills. Not only will you be surrounded by the language, you will also be forced to communicate in English about all aspects of daily life.

2.      Label things

It’s often said that you are not really fluent in a language unless you can talk your way through your kitchen cupboards and drawers. Putting labels on household and other items is a great way to improve your vocabulary.

3.     Take an English course

Professional English training is a great support for your learning curve and will help pinpoint your own language development needs. Get advice on which format would suit you best by exploring the classroom, individual and online options available at reputable language schools, such as The London School of English.

4.      Read, read, read 

The more the better, on all subjects.  Reading is the best way to improve your vocabulary within specialist areas, as well as to improve your understanding of literary flow, such as rhythm, word sequence and sentence structure.

5.      Find a job or volunteer

Professional English and the correct vocabulary for your chosen field are best learned on the job. If you are not working or in the process of applying for jobs, volunteering is a great way to boost your language skills and network.

6.      Watch English TV programmes

This subliminal method of learning requires very little effort as you can just watch and absorb. TV or other types of screen time are often underestimated as a cheap and entertaining way to learn English.

7.      Make a list of all the vocabulary you've learned

Making daily lists of new words to remember and/or to look up is an excellent and easy way to chart your progress. It’s also a very handy way for you to recap on a regular basis.

8.      Reach out

Get social and meet as many people as you can. This is particularly important if you are not living or working with native speakers. All the reading, writing and watching in the world is not a substitute for speaking practise - engaging, listening and responding in English. Expat sites such as meetup.com offer a great way to join local groups of people within the structure of activities or sports that you are interested in.

Improve your confidence in spoken English with our General English course or Individual English training in our centre in London or online.

Remember

• Practise makes perfect 
• You will make mistakes; there is no way around this - just keep practising 
• Local accents and dialects can be extra challenging
• Interest and willingness to learn English is always appreciated
• Google Translate is your friend

Good luck with your move and please don’t hesitate to contact us at The London School of English if you are interested in English language training.

Glossary

expatriate -  a person who lives outside their native country

social circle  -  a group of people who are socially connected

aspect  -  a particular part or feature of something

learning curve  -  the rate of a person's progress in learning new skills

subliminal - not recognised or understood by the conscious mind, but still having an influence on it

Related blog posts

•          First day fears
•          Business English Work and Careers: 50 words you need to know
•          Nine tips for spoken English

Recommended courses:

Find out more about our General English 20+ course. You can also take our English for Work & Careers.
If you need to learn online, we offer Online English Courses and Skype English lessons.

This is a guest post by The London School of English, Nordic Region.

The London School of English, Nordic Region offers high-quality English language training for motivated adults from all professional backgrounds. We give you the tools and skills you need to communicate successfully in your field of expertise and to expand your business and career opportunities. Call us on +46 8 5999 4000 or email us at [email protected] for more information about our tailored tuition or simply take our online test to check your English level.

About The London School of English

The London School of English has over 100 years of history teaching English and communication skills to adult learners. It is the joint #1 English language school in the UK according to the British Council inspections, the highest rated English language school in the world on Trustpilot, and the best value for money school according The English Language Gazette. 

Our practical, individualised approach enables our clients to learn effectively and make rapid progress. Courses include General English, Individual English training, Legal English, Business and Professional English, IELTS preparation and Academic English. We also offer bespoke business solutions for staff training and assessment. 

You can learn English with our expert trainers in our London centre at 15 Holland Park Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, or you can choose to study English online in groups or in individual classes. Contact us online or via phone +44 (0) 207 605 4142.