July 3, 2017 All

7 tips for succeeding in university as a non-native English speaker

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Let’s face it – university can get a little tough.

When the first day of school hits, you already feel a little stressed about your expanding workload, wondering to yourself how you’ll get it all done. If English isn’t your first language then you might feel some added pressure–but don’t let yourself get too worked up.

If you’re trying to learn English, then start thinking of university as a positive opportunity to jumpstart your career. You’ll feel challenged along the way but you’ll become a better person because of it. And as an added plus, you’ll definitely make lots of friends along the way.

You can prepare yourself for university in a number of different ways. Try reading up on different books, and doing some research online. But also know that a huge part of learning English is living life speaking it every single day.

Never expect yourself to be perfect and be ready to make a few mistakes. It’s important that you feel comfortable asking people for help, and understand that learning English requires lots of patience. If you don’t understand something then just ask the person who’s speaking to repeat themselves, and make a mental note of what they say.

There might be days when you feel a little discouraged, but don’t let yourself give up. Set up lots of goals at the beginning of your journey so you can celebrate your accomplishments along the way.

With that said, we’ve compiled a list of seven tips to help you succeed in university as a non-native English speaker.



1. Socialize

This one should be fun, so get ready to have a few laughs. One of the most effective ways to succeed in university is to communicate with the people around you whenever possible. At first, you might feel a little shy speaking with others, but don’t be too hard on yourself. After all, chances are that they feel a little nervous too.

You can socialize in a number of different ways. Introduce yourself to new people and get ready to talk about different things like your hobbies or favorite foods. Once you get to know other people, you can start inviting them to different activities. Try visiting restaurants that offer only an English menu, and speak about the food in English, too. The more you socialize with people in English, the faster you’ll start to feel comfortable.

Speaking English when you socialize will force you out of your comfort zone, but that’s actually a great achievement. It will help you in all areas of your university life, and you’ll begin to feel better prepared for the unexpected.

Another way to be social is to get online, since reading English can help you learn the language too. If you’re interested in the news or any given topic, search for it online and make sure you try reading everything in English first. If you feel confused then you can use a translating tool to help you out. You might find that it’s easier to talk about different things if you learn about them online first.



2. Use social media

Social media often feels like a guilty pleasure, so you might be surprised to learn how much it can help you learn English. First of all, when you use different options like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, make sure you use the English versions whenever possible.

It is interesting to see how the language differs from your own, and seeing it from this angle can help you form better conversations in your everyday life. Don’t just interact with your friends from back home – start following your new friends, and don’t be afraid to reach out to them by sending them a message or two. Don’t be shy – everyone will be happy to see that you are making an effort to communicate in English on social media.

3. Make sure your writing is perfect

Writing in English can definitely be a challenge if it’s not your first language, but there are a number of things you can do to ensure your writing is free of errors. Whenever possible, get your English speaking friends to go over your papers so they can correct your mistakes. If you don’t have any English speaking friends available then you can always give Writesaver a try. Writesaver is a proofreading service that can help improve your grades by as much as two letter grades, just by using clear, fluent English.

Writesaver’s proofreading team works with your writing to make you look educated for your professors and peers. Getting help with your English writing will make it easier for others to understand your message.

4. Use university resources

Don’t forget about the help that’s right in front of you. If you feel confused, don’t be afraid to chat with your teachers who can give you some extra help. Sometimes they offer office hours outside of class. All you have to do is schedule a time to meet with them – you will benefit from taking this extra time outside of class because it will help you understand the material much better than before.

Many universities also offer online resources where you can find extra notes from classes to help you out. Sometimes you can review that day’s lecture on helpful slides that you can study on your own time. Don’t be afraid to ask your professors about whether you have access to resources like these. Also make sure to ask if there are tutoring sessions available outside of class time.

Never forget about your university’s library, which is full of extra resources that can help you learn more easily. You will be able to find several different books that can help you learn English better. What’s also cool is that you’ll most likely find other people who need help – so you don’t have to feel alone. Using university resources can help you succeed and increase your confidence, too.

5. Join clubs

Joining different social clubs will force you out of your comfort zone, but that’s a good thing! Make sure you join clubs in which people speak mostly English. That way, you can practice the language as much as possible, making the most of your time. Be ready to accept tips from other people and whatever you do, remember to not take any of the advice you receive personally.

If you’re nervous about joining clubs, then don’t forget you can practice different language skills at home before it’s time to meet for each event. You can show up with different conversation ideas in mind, and there will always be someone to help you out. As an added tip, practicing English by speaking to yourself in the mirror can help increase your confidence. You might feel silly, but it will pay off.

If possible, try joining English speaking clubs with people who speak your own language. This way, you will be able to help each other whenever needed. Try to limit speaking in your own language as much as possible. We hate to say it again, but practice really does make perfect.

6. Study every day

It goes without saying that you’ll learn English faster if you study every day, but using these helpful hints can help you maximize your results. Practice studying not only by yourself, but with other people, too. It helps to share your ideas with someone who understands the same material, but it also helps to challenge yourself alone.

Use various learning techniques to make sure your brain absorbs everything you need to know. Try using highlighters, writing notes, rehearsing words out loud, using cue cards, and anything else that you feel might help you out. Whatever you do, don’t be too hard on yourself. Let yourself take breaks from time to time so you can stay on track. You’ll thank us later!

7. Be creative

Learning English can and should be fun. Find creative ways to encourage yourself to keep learning. Try inviting your friends over to play board games like Scrabble, and don’t worry about looking a little silly. Make sure you’re plugged into upbeat songs in English wherever you go, listen to the radio in English, and try learning the language by watching people speak it on TV. Let yourself have some fun with your friends during the weekend and sing some karaoke. Start your own blog in English and journal your university experiences every single day. You can even download phone apps that help you learn English.