Study Tips - English

Whether you have studied English for ten weeks or ten years, coming to America and trying to communicate can be very difficult. People speak much more quickly than what you are used to from your English class at home. They will use expressions that are not in your textbooks. Maybe they are using pronunciation unique to that region of the country. A very natural reaction when you are surrounded by a foreign language is to forget every word that you have ever learned. Don't worry!!!!! You will start to remember as soon as you relax in your new home. Give your ear time to adjust and keep a sense of humor.

The greatest challenge that you may face is understanding your classes at school. If you make an effort and do your very best, though, you can succeed and meet this challenge. You were chosen to participate on this program because we believe that you can succeed!

Here are some suggestions for succeeding at school. Please read them with your host family and coordinator and choose the ones that you want to follow. Then, write your study plan on a piece of paper. This is will be your "contract" for a successful year. Please follow it very carefully.

Good Luck!

1. Carry a dictionary with you whenever possible. Look up words that you don't know.

2. Carry a small notebook. Write down new words in it.

3. Carry an assignment pad to every class. Write your assignments in it and then show it to the teacher to make sure that you did not miss anything.

4. Write your assignments on a calendar at home so that you can plan ahead for tests and projects.

5. Decide on a time to study every night. Study for at least one hour. If you have no homework, review your class notes or textbook.

6. Finish all homework assignments on time. Ask for help if you don't understand something.

7. Ask questions in class.

8. Stay after school for extra help from your teachers whenever you need it.

9. Ask a classmate if you can study together.

10. Always take notes in class. If you don't understand something you can look it up in the dictionary when you get home.

11. Try not to answer questions with just yes or no. The more that you say the more practice that you will get.

12. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you don't understand. No one will laugh!

13. Have a sense of humor. It's ok to make mistakes. Mistakes will help you to learn.

14. Use flash cards for new vocabulary.

15. Watch television and practice copying what people say- this is good pronunciation practice.

16. Consider getting a tape recorder to tape your classes. If you can listen to them again at home, then you can ask for help with the parts that you don't understand.

17. Take a study break and go for a walk while you are doing homework. If you are tired then you can't concentrate.

18. Don't leave assignments until the last minute.

19. Balance your studying with an activity that you enjoy doing. Talking to friends or joining a club is also a good way to learn English.

20. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep. Speaking a foreign language can be tiring. You need to be rested to do well in school.

YOU CAN DO IT!