If English isn’t your first language, you might find you need to take an English language proficiency exam such as the IELTS or the TOEFL as part of your application to study abroad. In order to succeed, you’ll need to put a lot of continuous effort into learning a new language.
Watch movies in English
This helps you to understand the language better, get used to colloquial, conversational forms of English and implicitly get a feeling for the language.
- Being exposed to a language for the length of a movie might help you to actually start thinking in English.
Immerse yourself in English language news
Try to sample a broad range of English language newspapers, including broadsheets as well as magazines and tabloids
- This will expand your vocabulary and help you become more familiar with how words are spelt and the contexts in which they are used
Curiosity doesn’t always kill the cat
In order to improve rapidly, you should ask a lot of questions and resolve them.
Start a vocabulary book of useful words
Make a list of words and phrases to learn from
- Note down any unfamiliar words and search for synonyms and words of which they are used
- “Precedence” and “tantalizing” are two examples of such words
Don’t forget to have fun while you learn
If studying the English language only feels like a burden, it will seem tedious and you won’t perform as well
- It is important to stay motivated and enjoy the experience of learning a new language. Find ways to add entertainment into your studies such as playing word games with friends that will boost your critical thinking skills
Have conversations in English
Use English interactively and practice your own speaking skills
Practice, practice, practice
Come up with a word of the day, and then try to employ it as often as possible
- Focus on conversational English which is likely to be relevant in the exam
- Don’t waste time on extremely specific words you will never actually use