Page 48 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 48
48
iStudy
2019/20
A common misconception of living abroad is that you will automatically pick up the local language,
but sadly osmosis is not a reliable form of learning. To get to grips with the language you want to learn
– your target language – you need to actively engage with it. It is easy to just spend time with other
English speakers, and although this can be familiar and comforting, it won’t do anything to improve
your skills. During my year in Vienna, I used to joke that I was avoiding spending time with other British
people, but there was some truth in it as I did try to avoid speaking English where possible. I already
had good knowledge of German before moving to Austria, but the tips that I’ve shared below work for
those aiming to improve language skills and those starting from scratch whilst living abroad.
LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
WHILST LIVING ABROAD
By Hannah Ward-Glenton
This is probably the most obvious way to learn a
language when you are abroad. During my time in
Vienna I decided to take a four-week intensive German
course before term began and it really helped me
to grow accustomed to speaking in German, rather
than English. Most universities will offer language
courses for incoming students, but depending on the
institution, they can be really pricey. Some universities
do offer subsidies for students however; the University
of Vienna, for example, reimbursed intensive courses
taken at the beginning of semesters as long as you
passed, which was another incentive to whip my
German into shape.
Tip: Befriend your classmates! A huge advantage
of the course was that it was full of other
international students who were about to start
at my university, which meant that I already had
a great group of friends before the semester had
even begun.
UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE COURSES
How I did it and how you can too
iStudy
2019/20
A common misconception of living abroad is that you will automatically pick up the local language,
but sadly osmosis is not a reliable form of learning. To get to grips with the language you want to learn
– your target language – you need to actively engage with it. It is easy to just spend time with other
English speakers, and although this can be familiar and comforting, it won’t do anything to improve
your skills. During my year in Vienna, I used to joke that I was avoiding spending time with other British
people, but there was some truth in it as I did try to avoid speaking English where possible. I already
had good knowledge of German before moving to Austria, but the tips that I’ve shared below work for
those aiming to improve language skills and those starting from scratch whilst living abroad.
LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
WHILST LIVING ABROAD
By Hannah Ward-Glenton
This is probably the most obvious way to learn a
language when you are abroad. During my time in
Vienna I decided to take a four-week intensive German
course before term began and it really helped me
to grow accustomed to speaking in German, rather
than English. Most universities will offer language
courses for incoming students, but depending on the
institution, they can be really pricey. Some universities
do offer subsidies for students however; the University
of Vienna, for example, reimbursed intensive courses
taken at the beginning of semesters as long as you
passed, which was another incentive to whip my
German into shape.
Tip: Befriend your classmates! A huge advantage
of the course was that it was full of other
international students who were about to start
at my university, which meant that I already had
a great group of friends before the semester had
even begun.
UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE COURSES
How I did it and how you can too
