Want to improve your English? Your English tutor is one part of the English learning network that you need to build in order to improve quickly. If you want to accomplish any goal in life, you need to surround yourself with people who understand your goal, believe that you are capable of achieving your goal and will empower you to keep moving toward your goal even when you feel like giving up. It is important to have an English learning network anywhere, but if you are living and working in Boston or New York, it is absolutely crucial! Why? Because Boston and New York are large cities and it is very easy to lose sight of your goal and only speak your native language with friends and colleagues. The people in your English learning network can push you and help make sure you stay on track. Ultimately, your improvement will be a direct result of how hard you work to get better at English but the people around you can make that goal much easier to achieve. So are you ready to get started and create your own English learning network? Here are 5 things that you need to do to create your network.
5 Steps to Creating your English Learning Network:
- Find a language exchange partner: Chatting with a native English speaking language exchange partner who would like to practice your native language is an excellent way to get conversation practice on a regular basis. You can meet with your exchange partner once or twice per week in the park and speak for half the time in English and half the time in your native language. This is an excellent opportunity but it should not replace English lessons as you will not receive a professional level of English instruction. Think of it as an opportunity to practice the new phrases or grammar points that you learn with your English tutor.
- Choose the right living situation: The most important place to practice your English is at home on a daily basis. If you are looking for a roommate, choose a native English speaking roommate. If you are looking for a neighborhood in New York or Boston for your family's apartment, try not to choose an area where other people from your country are living. You can also do your grocery shopping and other errands in places where you might have an opportunity to practice English. The people that you see and speak with every day in your neighborhood can be a part of your learning network.
- Take on a new challenge at work: To build your English learning network you have to challenge yourself in your career. If you are looking for a job, start looking at jobs where you will be forced to use your English. Working as a server at a restaurant or a cafe or in a clothing store are great ways to practice English conversation and listening skills. You can also apply for an internship to build your English skills and your resume. If you already have a job, maybe you work in a large company where some of your colleagues speak English. Make them a part of your network! Speak with them as often as possible, invite them out for lunch and get to know them. Reaching out to people and taking an active role is the only way to build your network.
- Attend English speaking social events weekly: In New York and Boston, there are many opportunities to get out in the evening and meet new people. Instead of always joining a group of people from your own country, why not join other groups and make English a part of your social life! You can join a hiking group or a group of photographers- the important thing is that you practice speaking English regularly and have fun doing it! You have many groups to choose from at meetup.com.
- Find an English tutor: The final part of your English learning network is your English tutor. If you are a busy professional, you probably don't have time to attend a group class. Your English tutor can meet with you at a convenient time and location. Most importantly, he or she can create activities based on your needs and can offer support, encouragement and can challenge you to continue progressing to the next level.
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