English In Grad. School

[Somedfjd]

How long it takes to international student to get used to learn in English?

How can I practice my English meanwhile?

I'm going to Engineering Department that is why I'm not worrying to much about doing everything in English because I know that I only need to practice the Technical English that I will use in my area of research, therefore in the next two month I'm going to go over several books in English that are close to my area of research in graduate school?

Do you have any other ideas how can I practice my English?

[PETRAL6]

See if you can contact grad students at your school (either from the US or international) They may be able to give you suggestions or even be willing to e-mail with you about research so you can get used to at least writing technically in English. Or, if you have friends who are also going to English speaking countries for grad schools, try to talk to eachother about research interests in English as much as possible.

[Guest a guest]

You can enroll in an "English as a Second Language (ESL)" Continuing Education Course at a local community college or at the university, where you will enroll.

[Debating]

It's different for different people. I notice that people who like to stick to other people from their homeland tend to be so much worse in English than the more social ones. If you will be living with somebody, it would be beneficial for you if that person doesn't speak your own language (at least in the beginning). When I first came to the States, there wasn't anyone around me who spoke my language so I had no choice but to speak English, which really helped. In college, I see people from my country who try to speak as little English as they can, and it shows (thick accents, bad grammar, etc.).

I will have lots of trouble this summer because I'm not used to speaking my native language anymore. :oops:

[Panda77]

Yes, Debating is right, the only thing is trying to speak, read and write in English as much as you can. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Anyhow, give yourself time it's a slow process but eventually will come out naturally. Again the most important thing is not to be afraid to mess up because this will lead you into avoiding speaking in English

[Guest Cridamour]

I find that a good way to practice is to keep a journal in English. Just write about anything that happened during the day. It also helps to clear your head and order your thoughts. I usually write down comments on movies I saw or ideas for dissertation topics or report on things I did with my friends. When I'm angry, I also write down everything in my journal, and after two pages of writing, my mood usually lightens up. Give it a try, you might like it and it will definitely improve your English if you keep it up!

[pro_grad]

For speaking, try to show up at as many meetings as possible, esp. department parties or morning coffee gatherings.

For writing, having your personal tutor really pays off! One hour a week with $25 on average is all you need to get started.

[ok0510]

See if you can contact grad students at your school (either from the US or international) They may be able to give you suggestions or even be willing to e-mail with you about research so you can get used to at least writing technically in English. Or, if you have friends who are also going to English speaking countries for grad schools, try to talk to eachother about research interests in English as much as possible.

:arrow:

[Sejla]

I'm from the US but have lived in other countries where I made an effort to learn the language. One thing I have come across is language exchange - once you get to the US (or in your own country now, if you can find English speakers there), find someone who wants to meet once or twice a week, and half the time they are learning your language and half the time you are speaking English.

If you don't find anyone through an ad on craigslist or something, you might contact the relevant language department at your university in the US to see if any students want to do that. [i see you're from Israel so I'm assuming your language is Hebrew - so what I mean here is - see if there are any university students learning Hebrew who want to practice with you, and then you can speak English with them].

It looks like your English is very good already (and it must be if you got accepted to a program in English!), so I'm just guessing but it might be hard to find a general ESL class with a level as high as yours. But who knows, I could be wrong.

good luck.