Benefits of Studying English with Native English Speakers

Learning a second language is a great way to experience another culture, boost your confidence, and increase your employability. English, in particular, is a valuable language to know. As the most spoken language in the world, English enables you to communicate effectively in virtually any country you visit. Furthermore, knowing how to speak and write in English can open up a whole host of possibilities, especially when it comes to pursuing your chosen career. However, English is notoriously tricky to learn, which is why it’s important to choose the right course and learning environment. At ABC School, we know that studying with native English speakers can drastically improve a student’s understanding of the language. To learn more, take a look at these benefits of studying English with native English speakers:

1. Perfect Pronunciation

When you see a word written down, you will not automatically know how to pronounce it. English might pair different vowels and consonants together when compared to your native language, for example, and this could affect how you pronounce the words when you speak aloud. Similarly, learning from someone who has English as a second language means that you will pick up on their pronunciation, rather than the way a native speaker verbalises the words. If you want to be able to converse in English, being able to pronounce words correctly is extremely important. Unlike some languages, English words don’t always sound similar to how they’re written (yacht, for example!) so it is vital to have guidance from a native speaker. With their influence, you will be listening to the correct pronunciation of words and be able to verbalise sounds and syllables accurately.

2. Get Used to Different Accents

When you are in the UK, you will notice just how many different dialects and accents there are. This can seem overwhelming at first, as the way people speak varies quite dramatically depending on what area they are from. Of course, you will want to overcome this so that you can converse easily when you are in the country, and learning from native English speakers can help you to achieve your goals. When you study with native speakers, you are learning from individuals who have authentic accents and speak in a variety of dialects. This will give you the experience you need to converse in English in real-world environments and the confidence to try out your newfound skills.

3. Understand the Culture

The English language is filled with idiosyncrasies, metaphors, and colloquialisms. An English person might say, ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ when they mean that it’s raining heavily, for example, or say ‘cheers’ instead of ‘thank you’ in an informal situation. Being able to speak and understand English is so much more than an academic study of grammatical rules. If you want to be able to truly engage with people in English, it’s important to understand how to use these colloquialisms and when to use them. Of course, there’s no better person to learn this from than a native English speaker. Someone who speaks English as their first language will be wholly familiar with how the language adapts in different situations and what various metaphors and colloquialisms mean. Not only will you learn words, their meanings, and how the language works, but you will also understand the culture behind the language and be able to use English confidently in a variety of settings.

4. Increase Your Confidence

Speaking a second language in front of a native speaker can certainly be nerve-wracking but it is the best way to grow in confidence. As well as providing you with feedback and corrections when necessary, your teacher will give you the praise and validation you need when you master a difficult word, phrase, or construct. As you begin to master the English language, you will feel even more confident about speaking up in front of native speakers. When you are going to be visiting or living in an English-speaking country, it is important to have the confidence you need to be able to speak English in public, and learning from a native speaker will give you the courage to show off your skills.

Learning English with Native English Speakers

With so many benefits associated with learning English from native English speakers, it is easy to see why so many students prefer this type of learning environment. Whether you are embarking on an intensive course to learn English at rapid speed, or you want to use the Callan method to focus on speaking, listening, and pronunciation, our native English-speaking instructors can provide all the help you need. What is more – all of our teachers have TEFL qualifications and/or hold a university degree, so you can be confident that they are well equipped to provide the instruction and support you need. To learn more, contact ABC School now on +44 (0) 20 7836 8999 or email us at info@abcschool.co.uk.