Continuing your English Language learning away from school
At BROWNS English Language School, we believe the best way to learn English is to immerse yourself in it from all areas of life, both socially, & academically. We encourage extra-curricular activities, and are keen to show you ways that you can extend your learning away from the classroom. Two weeks ago, I attended a 2 day Teaching Conference in Brisbane with the aim of learning new ways in which English students can engage out of class and I have put a few of the best tips together, that we hope, you will get a lot out of:
1) Connect with your BROWNS’ classmates!
Meeting with other students is a great way to continue your conversation skills, especially with those from a different country. There are a lot of things to do & see in South-East Queensland, and it’s great to be able to share this time with your classmates. It doesn’t end there – have you thought about writing a journal about your time here, and sharing it in class?
2) English Speaking Meetups
Social Media has helped people with similar interests get-together to have fun, network, and even learn. Look up groups & events on Facebook or Meetup.com in your area, and get together with like-minded people. There are even events that focus just on developing your English speaking ability. These are some of the best Facebook / Meetup pages to communicate with others and attend special interest groups on the Gold coast.
https://www.facebook.com/MCCGC/
https://www.meetup.com/goldcoastsocialevents/
https://www.meetup.com/Gold-Coast-20-30-Something-Social/
3) Follow your interests, or expand on the in-class topics with extra resources.
Everyone has their own interests so a great motivation can be to explore websites, newspapers, and books to learn more, and improve your English Vocabulary. Use a variety of materials, eg. Watch documentaries, Read Blogs, Listen to Podcasts. This is my favourite podcast:
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/listen/
You can even expand on your in-class topics, to explore these areas more, and reflect on what you learnt with your classmates! Aside from podcasts, look at these sites to build your listening skills:
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/
4) Review your in class work
It is very important to follow-up your in-class learning with some review time and self-reflection. Go over what you learnt, and share your ideas with your friends. Comparing your work with other students can develop a deeper understanding of the topic, and language in general. Make a vocabulary journal with a mindmap of new vocabulary – add phonemes, synonyms, antonyms, collocations, word forms, sample sentences, etc. Here is an example:
We hope this will encourage you to take the extra step outside of the classroom, and give you a more rewarding experience here.
If you have any questions, or would like more direction with out-of-class activities, please see your Core class Teacher for ideas on what you could do. We are always happy to help.
BROWNS English Language School