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Study Abroad

Study Abroad

Date: Sep 26 2005

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

One of my biggest educational regrets is not having gone off on a study abroad program while an undergrad at the University of Minnesota. The notion never entered my mind, even though my alma mater offers exchange programs to nearly 60 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
In liberal arts programs at American universities, proficiency in a second language is a requirement for graduation. I spent four years in high school studying German, though when I entered university my German language skills were laughable. In university I chose to study American Sign Language to meet my language requirement. It took me two and a half years (and close to $8,000) to pass the exam. In the long run, it would have been more educational (and cheaper!) to have gone overseas to pick up understanding of a foreign language and culture.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dave

Dave

John

John

Dave:  John, did you ever study abroad?

John:  No, but I really wish I had.

Dave:  Yeah? Did you study a language in school?

John:  I studied Japanese, and during school I just thought, you know, there was too much going on for me to go over there. It seemed like too much of a, of a hassle.

Dave:  Yeah.

John:  But it would’ve been a really good deal. I mean, tuition is the same, and, and, could’ve done a homestay. It would’ve been a great way to learn the language.

Dave:  Yeah.

John:  Did you do it?

Dave:  No, I didn’t. And I wish I would have. I spent, in college I spent two and a half years studying sign language, and after I worked out the math I think I spent about $8,000 in tuition just on language classes. Where, if I would have just gone overseas for six months it would have been the same, if not cheaper, and my language would have been much more proficient.

John:  Now that was for signing. Did you take another foreign language, too, where you could’ve done that?

Dave:  Well, I took four years of German in high school.

John:  Ah, okay.

Dave:  Even after four years of study, you know, my German was terrible.

John:  Yeah, yeah. My Japanese wasn’t good at all. And I finally got there after I graduated and I realized I didn’t know anything.

Dave:  Yeah, but how…did it take you a while to pick up the language once you were there?

John:  It was a lot faster.

Dave:  Yeah.

John:  It did take a while, but much easier than when I was in class.

Dave:  When I went to Thailand, after maybe four to six months in Thailand I was able to have very basic conversations in Thai…

John:  Mm hm.

Dave:  Whereas, four years of German study all I could say was, “I come to school by bus.”

John:  Yeah. My kids are definitely going to be studying abroad.

Dave:  Yeah, mine, too.

 

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Discussion

When I taught English in Japan and Thailand, I often found that my students were very good with grammar and textbook English, but their conversational skills needed a lot of work…much like my German language skills after four years of study in the U.S. There is so much to speaking a new language that you cannot learn except by hanging around native speakers in their native cultures. So, my advice: Come to America! For three months, six months, a year, whatever you can swing.
The U.S. is the destination for international study. In science and engineering doctoral programs, nearly 1/3 of degrees are awarded to citizens of foreign countries. Nationwide, 10 million international students attend college in the United States.
I’ve had so many former students who spent a bit of time in the U.S. attending community colleges just to get a taste of American culture and improve their English. They’ve all loved it!
If it’s something you’re considering, check out the international student support page for the school you’re interested in. Here are some links to schools that are popular with international students, as well as some links to help you through the visa application process.
Student Visas
Santa Monica College (California)
Houston Community College (Texas)
De Anza Community College (California)
Portland State University, Intensive English Program (Oregon)

 

Comments

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aroubsaad

Saudi Arabia

Certainly learning English takes a lot of time and effort, but that does not mean that you require to travel to the United States to study, because we can study online and communicate with native English  speakers to improve ourselves. 



11:12 AM Oct 07 2019 |

aroubsaad

Saudi Arabia

Certainly learning English takes a lot of time and effort, but that does not mean that you require to travel to the United States to study, because we can study online and communicate with native English  speakers to improve ourselves. 



11:10 AM Oct 07 2019 |

aroubsaad

Saudi Arabia

Certainly learning English takes a lot of time and effort, but that does not mean that you require to travel to the United States to study, because we can study online and communicate with native English speakers to improve ourselves. 



11:09 AM Oct 07 2019 |

Fhesby

United States

When Dave says, “And I wish I would have” It should read, “I wish I had.”

08:16 PM Dec 18 2017 |

krystynaSuper Member!

United States

laughable ( adjective), impossible to be treated seriously because of being so silly, bad, or difficult to believe


01:51 PM May 18 2017 |

Djana

Djana

Algeria

Studying abroad,is my main goal,of my all goals and dreams in this life,and my destination will be England if God wants :),Honestly,i can’t pay the bills ,and all these stuff,so i hope and i pray to get a scholarship,so i can achieve my dreams,and prove my self.

09:07 PM Jun 19 2015 |

Studentworks

United Kingdom

If anyone is thinking of coming to the United Kingdom to study but do not know where to start we can help :) 

Just email us at info@studentworks.eu for more information.  

10:50 AM Jun 15 2015 |

dimaxim

United Kingdom

We immigrated to England in 2008, my daughter and I often go out in the evening in London to look at this beauty http://lafozi.com/us-en/detail/tower-bridge-of-london/ ... and not a bit sorry) during the year is already well spoken in English.

10:04 AM Mar 27 2015 |

meaw-meaw

meaw-meaw

Thailand

My english is laughable when speak.My hassle is not the best motivation to practice.


When I’m young  I have a dream for  undergrad in the abroad university. But  can not. Exaxly the hassle is not much big money to study abroad. so I don’t have notion to study again coz I can practice english at home. But if one day to have occationary i will do and stay at  homestay.

03:00 PM Aug 26 2014 |

Nanexsa

Nanexsa

Indonesia

it’s totally teaches me more of English :) 

05:41 AM Nov 26 2012 |

makin02

makin02

Algeria

hi friends my name is choayb from algeria i’m student and i have studied urban sociology and i have finished my study but i want to do study master abroad  and i want to learn english language in england in specialized school .can you guid me 

02:52 PM Nov 09 2012 |

DE_CARVALLO

United Arab Emirates

not a difficult thing at all

05:01 PM Oct 30 2012 |

dewi qadarizka

Indonesia

how to get 600 TOEFL?

09:54 AM Oct 27 2012 |

ana.p94231

ana.p94231

India

Hi, 


I am also planning to go for my Masters in US, therefore preparing for TOEFL. My English is not at all good. I am trying to improve it. Please help me by sharing your experince of English. I am looking for someone with whom I can practice my English speaking. (If anyone would like to share please reply or msg) 


Any suggestions welcome.


Thanks,


Ana.  

01:49 PM Jun 14 2012 |

abdullahshami

Yemen

my name is abdullah i study english .i hope to get toefl. so any1 can guide me

01:10 PM May 15 2012 |

1 person likes this

abdullahshami

Yemen

hi

12:52 PM May 15 2012 |

Zeco Mosa

Sudan

survey

06:47 PM May 08 2012 |

manik athawale

India

I’ have finished my secular study in B.A. and M.A. incomplete in sociology and completed B.Th. but next I want to do study in Master of divinity so I’m interested in Abroad so can you guide me. 

09:01 AM Apr 11 2012 |

besma sliti

Tunisia

my name is Besma a Tunisian student graduated from Mannouba University specialized on applied English (commercial english) and I hope to study abroad to improve my level.That’s why I want to know further information about that, how to register? when and where?and how much it costs?


Best regards,


BESMA

08:17 AM Mar 28 2012 |

TAMER0988

TAMER0988

Iraq

Its important to every one to studying aboard , & then you must use what you are learning from your study .


Some times we learning something but we are forgetting it  after a simple period , thats happens because we dont use it along .


Regards to Mr. Joseph , Im a geology too ….

02:46 PM Oct 26 2011 |

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