Learning English Through a Live International Experience: A Gateway to a Brighter Future
In today’s interconnected world, learning English is more than a valuable skill—it’s a gateway to countless opportunities. Therefore, the most effective way to achieve proficiency in English is through a live international experience.
Certainly, immersing yourself in an English-speaking environment accelerates language acquisition, broadens your cultural understanding, and opens doors to a brighter future.
Because of that, Canada has become one of the most popular destinations for those who want to learn English and French, high school programs, or higher education. According to Immigration officials, Canada handed out more than one million study permits to international students in 2023.
Undoubtedly, Canada attracts many students yearly due to its education system, which has been known worldwide for being among the top five positions for the last decades.
Since English is the most spoken language in the country, and the main door for those who plan to immigrate the government closely oversees the ESL (English as a Second Language) to maintain its high standards and give new learners the education they will need to succeed in academic and professional environment.
Without a doubt people who study abroad go beyond their comfort zone, learn how to make livelong connections that increases their employability. For this reason, choosing the right destination and program, to learn English is essential.
Why Choose a Live International Experience to Learning English?
To talk about the million reasons how learning English in an English native country makes students learn faster, we need to look at the benefits of living abroad.
Which goes above and beyond the language learning:
- Accelerated Learning – Immersion is one of the most effective language learning techniques. Living in an English-speaking country forces you to use the language in everyday situations, accelerating your learning process. From ordering food to navigating public transportation, every interaction is a lesson in practical English.
As the student is surrounded by native speakers and others international students, from its first day the student will come across different accents which will be great to travel around the world. Furthermore, it is a huge help for those working in a global company dealing with workers from Asia, South America, Europe and so on.
- Cultural Immersion- Learning a language is about more than just vocabulary and grammar; it’s also about understanding the culture behind it. An international experience allows you to immerse yourself in the customs, traditions, and social nuances of English-speaking countries. This cultural awareness enriches your language skills and makes you a more versatile communicator.
Apart from this, a melting pot community presents the pupil the opportunity to live in a diverse society, appreciate other cultures and learn how to accept others option easier during their cultural immersion in Canada.
- Global Networking – Living abroad provides unique opportunities to build a global network. Whether through friendships, professional connections, or academic collaborations, these relationships can be invaluable for your future career. Knowing English and having an international perspective can make you a more attractive candidate in the global job market.
Meanwhile studying abroad, you increase your connections around the world and those connections can be positive whereas for tourism or professional purposes.
- Personal Growth – Moving to a new country and adapting to a different culture is a challenging yet rewarding experience. Clearly it fosters independence, resilience, and adaptability—qualities that are highly regarded by employers.
Moreover, the confidence gained from navigating life in a foreign language can empower you in various aspects of your personal and professional life. As you discover yourself, become independent and learn to appreciate smaller things.
Top Destinations for English Learning abroad pros and cons!
To open the door, there are many native English countries worldwide. And each one of them there are positives and negatives:
1 **Canada**
Pros: Known for its multicultural society, Canada provides a welcoming environment for international students. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver are popular for their high quality of life and educational opportunities. Also, the country has the fourth-best educational system in the world. Finally, CAD, the Canadian dollar, is more affordable than the USA dollar.
Cons: Although the country has much to offer in the winter, Canada is famous for its coldest weather. So, it may not be the best opinion for those who don’t enjoy the snow.
- **United States**
Pros: The US offers diverse cultures and accents, providing a comprehensive learning experience. Cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago are bustling with opportunities for language learners.
Cons: Their visa process has no clear rules. The USA eating habits can be challenging for students who like a healthy diet since most of daily food is fast food. With low nutrition.
- **United Kingdom**
Pros: The UK is known for its rich history and prestigious educational institutions. Studying in cities like London, Edinburgh, or Oxford can provide a traditional and immersive English learning experience. Also, the country is full of beautiful castles, museums and medieval villages.
Cons: Unfortunately, the British pound is one of the world’s most expensive currencies. Even a short program can be costly for students in the most economically underdeveloped countries.
- **Australia**
Pros: Australia is an excellent destination for English learners with its friendly locals and stunning landscapes. Cities like Sydney and Melbourne offer a vibrant mix of cultures and activities.
Cons: There are too many exotic animals. A brief search on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram will show many Australians posting about finding snakes and poisonous spiders inside their houses. To make matters worse, a trip to Australia can be quite expensive if you live in South America or Europe.
- **Ireland**
Pros: Emerald Island is famous for its history and landscapes and for welcoming students with empathy. In addition, English students are allowed to work part-time while studying and full-time when on vacation. Dublin and Cork are the most important cities for those who want to study.
Cons: Ireland is a small country. The government does its best, but many schools close yearly because of poor quality. Since it is possible to work while studying, students are absent from class. Many schools have been accused of being there only to sell visas and not taking care of student attendance.
How to choose the ideal program to improve your English?
So, it is important to choose the ideal city for you to develop your language skills and to choose a program aligned with your future goals.
Firstly, regardless of your future professional plans, if you want to become a doctor, a salesperson or a teacher – everyone needs to master General English.
Secondly, to ensure high standards in education, each country usually develops associations to control the effectiveness of programs and the efficiency of schools. In our case, in Canada the most important association is Languages Canada.
Indeed, there are many institutes around the world offering General English programs, where students learn the grammar, writing, listening, and conversational aspects of the language in the course. All the skills that are needed to master the English language.
Each school will establish their courses by aligning themselves with their methodology and resources. That can be books, technology and even the teachers. Although everything must be following Languages Canada guidelines.
In this case, our institute iTTTi Vancouver has graduated over ten thousand students on the last two decades, teaching from beginners to advance classes in only one year.
General English levels offered at iTTTi Vancouver:
When studying General English at iTTTi Vancouver, you should expect:
General English Beginner Students
This level is designed for students at Canadian Benchmark 1 who wish to improve their communicative ability in English in all the areas. Students learn through a variety of topics and grammar points. Students will be able to:
- Greet people
- Ask questions
- Give personal information: address, name and phone
- Read some common words
- Speak short sentences without the help of a picture
General English Pre-Intermediate Students:
This level is designed for students at Canadian Benchmark 4 who wish to improve their communicative ability in English in all the areas. Students learn though a variety of topics and grammar points. Students will be able to:
- Have conversations about familiar topics
- Use everyday language and some idioms
- Feel comfortable using English in social situations
- Use formal and informal language
- Ask for clarification
- Explain a process or sequence of events
- Write a structured paragraph about an idea or opinion
- Understand a chart, schedule or a bill
- Read a newspaper
- Infer the writer’s intention
- Infer the meaning of a new word from a context
General English Intermediate Students:
This level is designed for students at Canadian Benchmark 6 who wish to improve their communicative ability in English in all the areas. Students learn though a variety of topics and grammar points. Students will be able to:
- Participate in a small group discussion and express their opinion
- Express and respond to gratitude, appreciation, disappointment, dissatisfaction and hope
- Use a variety of sentences structures and idioms
- Sound fluent when speaking
- Write personal and business letters
- Summarize the main points of a longer text
- Identify the mood of people in conversations
- Read for pressure
- Infer the meaning of new worlds from the context
General English Upper-Intermediate Students:
This level is designed for students at Canadian Benchmark 7 who wish to improve their communicative ability in English in all the areas. Students learn though a variety of topics and grammar points. Students will be able to:
- Participate in a group discussion and express opinion
- Speak confidently on most subjects
- Speak formally and informally comfortably
- Deliver a 10-minute speech
- Summarize texts without losing the original meaning
- Write coherent paragraphs
- Have a great control over complex structures
- Read longer passages intended for natives speakers
- Locate, compare and contrast information through-out a text
- Paraphrase and summarize the main points of a story
General English Advanced Students:
This level is designed for students at Canadian Benchmark 8 who wish to improve their communicative skill in English in all the areas. Students learn though a variety of topics and grammar points. Students will be able to:
- Speak on almost any work or social topic comfortably
- Speak for large groups confidently
- Use concrete and abstract vocabulary
- Write an effective resume and cover letters
- Fill out complex forms
- Coherent express idea with supporting arguments
- Use proper spelling and grammar
- Understand main points, details, attitude and levels of formality
- Understand technical vocabulary related to their work field
- Read popular newspapers, magazines and books
- Read easily fiction as well as business materials
- Read about abstract, conceptual and technical topics
Tips for Maximizing Your International Experience
Keep in mind that living abroad is a unique experience. Enrolling in English courses is vital but there are other ways to complement your immersion experience. After all, structured learning can provide a solid foundation and address specific areas where you need improvement:
- Engage with Locals- Make an effort to interact with native speakers as much as possible. Join clubs, attend events, and participate in community activities to practice your English in real-life situations. Search where there are professionals or activity groups from you field to meet in sites like Meet up.
- Stay Curious- Embrace the culture and be open to new experiences. Visit local landmarks, try traditional foods, and learn about the history and customs of your host country. Be aware of festivals and session events that are happening to tag along.
- Keep a Journal- writing is a challenging skill – Document your experiences and progress in English. Writing daily entries can help reinforce your language skills and provide a personal record of your journey.
In conclusion embarking on a live international experience to learn English is a transformative journey that can significantly brighten your future.
It offers a unique blend of language acquisition, cultural immersion, and personal growth, making it an invaluable investment in your education and career. By choosing the right destination, the best English school and actively engaging with the local culture, you can achieve fluency in English and open a world of opportunities.
Even for those who are looking to improve their English skills and global career prospects, there is no better way than to live the language through an international experience. The benefits are immense, and the memories and skills you gain will last a lifetime.
So, pack your bags, embrace the adventure, and watch as your future brightens with every new word learned. And if you want to learn more about our General English course do not hesitate to contact us.
For quotes and information by email:
In Portuguese: sales2@ittti.ca
In Spanish: sales@ittti.ca
In Korean: marketing@ittti.ca
In Japanese: japan@ittti.ca
In English: admin@ittti.ca
We hope we have provided you some clarification about how learning English abroad makes you became fluent faster.
Thanks for reading it.