English in New York? Why? But more importantly, how
Five useful tips to study English abroad and enjoy the city meanwhile
Everyone knows the importance of learning English and the multiple outcomes speaking English brings. It is useful for studying and especially in the USA, almost necessary when working in an English-speaking country, and even when listening to music!
There are many tips for improving your English skills, but we will try to go deep in practical details to brighten those skills when studying English abroad and enjoy the city a little better. Here there are some common tips:
- Exposure. As much as you watch, see, read, listen in English, you will have more chances to practice the language.
- Read everything. Not only will the New York Times newspaper show you a good article to practice formal written English, but also listening to music with lyrics, translating slang to English from your language, and even reading the restaurant menu and supermarket ads will help us be prepared for any situation.
- Sign up in English classes with cultural components. There are many English institutions that offer English classes, but you will be surprised if you register in English classes with cultural field trips, academic excursions, or business English courses with visits to companies.
- English apps in your cell phone. Our cell phones are almost all the time used more as apps than as a telephone! So, why don't we download an app to practice English? Find one that it's not boring for you or that you may end up deleting from your phone.
- Social media. Add your favorite social media and pages to your accounts. Fan of Twitter or Instagram? Add a page so you can enjoy the photos and learn some words and phrases they may add to their posts. Can't live without Facebook? Join groups or follow pages where there are English grammar or vocabulary tips, or "Like" some pages where you can enjoy English in a fun way.
How can you do that in New York?
Learning English in a big city like New York may bring many challenges, so the tips shown above should be done with a little bit of fun, don't you think?
Certainly, exposition to the language will be all around the city. For example, studying English on a university campus will bring many opportunities since you will have the chance to attend conferences, participate in debates, meet friends during group homework, or even reading campus news. Let us know how many words you can remember and use after a little walk around your borough in New York. Go to Times Square and read all the billboards and you will have a good, free vocabulary class!
Find your own best way to learn a language. If you are a visual learner, pay attention to images on newspapers, magazines, or Facebook posts. This will help you, subconsciously, learn new expressions, words, and be more culturally aware.
Signing up in an English class is the most traditional way to learn the language. It helps us have a better, guided way to learn what we really need to learn. Dr. Stephen Ferst, Executive Director of the Center for Global Engagement of the CUNY College of Staten Island, invites everyone to register at the English Language Institute (ELI) at CSI so “you can take advantage of all the learning we have to offer at ELI, improve your English, and take advantage of everything that New York City has to offer, certainly the greatest city in the world”, he says.
Living and studying English in Staten Island will make your stay a little easier if you decide to study in New York, since you will not be overwhelmed with the huzzle and rush of Manhattan, and you will find out that Staten Island gives you a quiet environment but close to Manhattan in a 25-minute free ferry ride.
Our cell phones are a powerful tool to do everything. Take advantage of it. There are many apps that will help you practice the language with vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, or any skill you would like to improve. Pick a fun app to spend some minutes a day to practice English.
Social media is definitely the trendy way people are connected to the world. We are sure you are fan of one of them. Join a group in Facebook where you can learn English, enjoy a music app so you can spot some English words while listening to your favorite song, or share some Twitter posts. There are many Facebook pages from New York where you can enjoy the language and learn at the same time.
VIRTUAL LEARNING
During the pandemic, virtual classes have become more popular, so you can find out about online English classes as well. Remote learning and still enjoying New York through your English teachers could be a good option. You can see our online intensive English program as well.
We hope these tips can help you a little more to learn English in a more fun way, and if it is in New York, even better! As New York is the city that never sleeps, English is the language that will always be there for you 24/7.
English Language Institute (ELI)
Center for Global Engagement
CUNY College of Staten Island, New York
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