| Studying Abroad - Your Experiences |
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Narirat Nuan-Sang
It has always been my dream to study a master's degree abroad but when I took my IELTS test in Bangkok I found my English wasn't as good as I thought it was. I really did think my reading and my writing was OK, but I actually found out that my speaking and listening were my best skills, which really surprised me. It has always been my dream to study a master's degree abroad but when I took my IELTS test in Bangkok I found my English wasn't as good as I thought it was. I really did think my reading and my writing were OK, but I actually found out that my speaking and listening were my best skills, which really surprised me. So my mum and dad figured the best thing for me was to study abroad because they said it would be better for me if I only spoke English and didn't speak Thai (I don't think they really understood that my speaking was OK!). They sent me to a language centre in Christchurch and I immediately loved the place. I was expecting it to be hot like Thailand but the weather was cool and fresh. I went to England a couple of years ago with my family and Christchurch really does look like England. I was very surprised to see so many Thai students in the town, and the first thing I did was make lots of Thai friends. This was great because they showed me the Thai restaurants in the area and I didn't feel homesick at all. I was there for six months and for the first two months I did nothing but speak Thai and only speak English in the classroom. The course was tough. The teachers were great and it was well organized, but I found it very difficult. The Thai friends I was hanging around with from other schools said the same thing. Then I remembered what my parents told me about speaking English. I then I think I understood what they meant. Learning a language is not something that can be done in small parts. To be really able to speak, write, read and listen to a language, you have to be completely involved - it's not just something that takes place in the classroom. I realized that although I was in New Zealand, I was studying in the same way I would study in Bangkok. Although I didn't forget my new Thai friends, I decided to get more involved in the center's activities, and the activities that were happening in Christchurch. It's amazing just how much can be done in a place like Christchurch. Most of it is free or, for students, very cheap. Exhibitions, museums, etc. - it sounds boring but when you get involved you will see it is very interesting. When I changed my approach I found the course much easier. I found I focused more on what I could do than worry about what I couldn't do. Suddenly, I found I had more confidence and that I could do more. I really believe that the most important thing I got from my course was confidence and a belief in myself. I took the IELTS test when I came back to Bangkok and I got 6.5. I learned a lot in New Zealand, but I realize now it could have gone badly wrong. Now the advice I give anyone taking the IELTS test is to forget studying for studying's sake - you have to change you mental attitude. You can read everything and learn every tip, but unless you try to go beyond the IELTS test and think about becoming a real English user, I don't think you get very far. Most people I know just think about passing the text. I think that's a mistake. So, what did my parents say? They said speak English, but now I think I know what they meant! Narirat Nuan-Sang Have you studied abroad? Share your experiences with other people. Use our email form below or send your story and send your photos to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ... |
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