| Do you have any plan to pursue your further | | | | course material itself, will vary drastically, some |
| education abroad? Will you need English for your | | | | students may feel that the language skills gained |
| career or your education? If so, you may wish to | | | | upon completing the course does not equip them |
| investigate your options for learning, or improving, | | | | to handle school work or social interactions |
| your English skills. | | | | adequately. |
| The TOEFL Test: TOEFL (Test Of English as a | | | | Some schools offer students and alternative of |
| Foreign Language) is a test used by many | | | | home-stay programs for students. Home-stay |
| colleges, universities, government agencies and | | | | programs benefit the student by placing them for |
| exchange and scholarship programs in the US, UK | | | | several weeks or months with a host family that |
| and Canada as a means of evaluating the | | | | speaks English. The student is then able to |
| language skills of a person whose first language is | | | | immerse him or herself in the culture and social |
| not English. | | | | speaking of the English country they are living in. |
| You can find TOEFL study guides easily online with | | | | There are also online ESL programs that may be |
| other recommended resources listed. You may be | | | | suitable for distance education, especially if |
| able to access some of the sample tests and | | | | programs are not readily available in your area. |
| prepare with personal study. Or you may look for | | | | Private Tutors: Another popular method of |
| a class with an instructor to help you prepare for | | | | learning English is with private tutors. The materials |
| the test. | | | | and methods used by ESL tutors will vary greatly |
| ESL Classes: ESL classes are a common means | | | | and it is important to establish what material will |
| for students to learn English with group of | | | | be used and to feel comfortable with the tutor. |
| classmates. These can be in the form of an | | | | Asking friends or other students for references |
| evening class with various individuals attending or | | | | can be helpful in finding a good tutor. |
| may be part of a college program during the day. | | | | A combination of these English learning methods |
| The course length and the topics covered will | | | | will be effective as well. You can take a summer |
| differ from country to country and school to | | | | course while staying with a home-stay host family |
| school. Some summer programs are geared for | | | | and then arranging for private tutoring during the |
| international students to gain a basic grasp of the | | | | school year. Making an effort to use your new |
| language before starting studies in English taught | | | | language skills regularly in social situations will |
| classes of the college or university. | | | | improve your progress regardless of the program |
| Since the standards of passing a course, or the | | | | or course you are using. |