Studying in the UK (3) – The ONLY way to learn English

There are no quick fixes to learn English, so don’t be fooled by the grand advertisements of money-grabbing tutorial schools: Living, eating, breathing, and dreaming in English is the only way to learn English. If you want to improve your English either before you come to England or when you are here, you need to force yourself to give up your mother tongue - for a while.

Some of those who know me will ask what on earth an international school student is doing, trying to give advice to a Thai person who has never been in a completely English-speaking environment. Well, I only knew how to speak and read a bit of Thai before deciding to study at a Thai university, so I am aware of the difficulties of mastering a second language. More importantly, however, is how I have seen, over and over again, how those who have no choice but to communicate in English learn the language far more quickly.

Back in middle school, while I was following my father to obscure parts of the world, I studied in Tehran International School with several Eastern Europeans and Asians who did not initially know how to speak a word of English. I witnessed how they were forced to adapt to the English-speaking community and some quickly became the ‘coolest’ students at the school.

This experience was repeatedly confirmed in the various schools I moved to. In Thailand, despite the presence of Thai-speaking students at the international school I attended, younger students were openly chided for speaking in Thai. Although arguably slightly disturbing for an international school located in Thailand, it very clearly led to the Thai students’ rapid improvement of their English language skills. 

Tutorial schools all over Bangkok will claim that there is a magic formula for preparation of students coming to the UK. Any quick preparation they provide will be only marginally useful. I know because I have seen 5 generations of Thai students coming to the UK, many of whom claim to have spent tens of thousands of precious Baht at the ‘best’ English tutorial schools. Not a single one of them had an acceptable level of English for a Masters degree, despite some scoring very respectable IELTS or TOEFL scores. 

My advice is free: drown yourself in English. From now on, read only English books and watch only news and movies in English. Use subtitles when you can, but don’t be dependent on them. DITCH your dictionary, it will only slow you down.  

Remember though, to only read, watch or listen to things you enjoy. Grammar books won’t help. I’ve seen people improve their English through anything from getting addicted to Ebay, falling in love with a Taiwanese, to constant surfing of English news websites.

If you’re in England, get away from Thai students and attach yourself to students of other nationalities. You’ll suddenly understand more and notice how even your English grammar is improving. English is not the only skill to improve while you’re in England, but it’ll get you a long way.

Finally, never forget that you are Thai. I have seen people take my advice to extreme levels and suddenly found themselves unable to speak Thai. That is idiotic, vain, plainly embarrassing, and perhaps a topic for another blog.