Essay on English language education abroad. Education - Education
Bykov Alexey. MNOU Lyceum, Kemerovo, Russia
Essay in English with translation. Nomination My world.
Studying abroad
Nowadays studying abroad is thoughts and hopes of many students. Especially many students dream to study in England.
At first, studying abroad gives huge opportunities for further high-level positions at work. Abroad education is highly valued in our country. Many employers are ready to take such personnel eagerly and with great pleasure. As for me, I want to study abroad, but this may not always be available and easy as it seems at the beginning.
Secondly, there are also some disadvantages. Many people who go to study in other countries stay there to live and work. It's a pity that our country is losing good and qualified people. Those who study abroad miss the family and friends very much; they do not often have opportunities to meet with those who are dear to their heart. So the students are usually under the pressure of stress. But to be honest, learning is good everywhere if you do it with pleasure.
In the end, I would like to express my opinion about this form of learning. Of course, there are many advantages in such learning, but on the other hand there are also disadvantages. I think I would prefer studying abroad to learning in our country, because it`s very helpful and useful in the future.
Studying abroad is the thought and hope of many students today. Especially many students dream of studying in England.
Firstly, studying abroad gives great chances for further high positions. Studying abroad is highly valued in our country. Many employers are ready to take such personnel with great pleasure. As for me, I want to study abroad, but it may not always be as accessible and easy as it seems at first glance.
Secondly, there are several disadvantages. Many who leave to study in other countries stay there to live and work. Our country is losing good specialists in this way. Those who study abroad miss their relatives and friends very much, there is no opportunity to often see those who are dear to you. This negatively affects the mood of the student. But, to be frank, learning is good everywhere, if learning is fun.
In the end, I would like to express my opinion about this type of training. Of course, there are many advantages in such training, but on the other hand there are also disadvantages. I think that I would rather study abroad than study in our country because it will help me a lot in the future.
Our modern world is full of technological advances and education is very important today. Human progress mainly depends on well-educated people. They say that those who have information, rule the world.
When we are 7 years old we are sent to schools to get useful knowledge about our world, although that isn't the main purpose of education. The most important thing, to my mind, is learning how to learn in order to use this ability in our future life. At school children also enjoy lots of cultural activities which reveal their personal talents. However some people think that the current system of education isn't able to teach pupils how to become good thinkers and schools are only about passing exams.
Education is very important for me and it goes without saying that I’m planning to get a higher education after finishing school. I'm sure it will enable me to achieve better prospects in career growth. Nowadays you can’t find an interesting job with a decent salary without a certain level of education because every company looks for well-qualified specialists. While studying at a university you get essential knowledge for your future profession. Moreover, university life is always exciting and eventful.
I believe it is impossible to overestimate the importance of education. It is one of the most valuable possessions and the most powerful weapons we can get in our life. It develops many sides of human personality and helps us to understand ourselves deeper. Education trains the mind to think, that’s why educated people have the ability to change our world and contribute to the well-being of our society.
Translation
Our modern world is full of scientific and technological achievements and education is very important today. Human progress mainly depends on well-educated people. It is said that those who own the information control the world.
When we are seven years old, we are sent to school in order to gain useful knowledge about the world, although this is not the main purpose of education. The most important thing, in my opinion, is learning how to learn in order to use this skill in our future life. At school, children also enjoy a rich cultural life that brings out their individual talents. However, some people believe that the current education system is not capable of teaching children how to become effective thinkers, and schools exist only to pass exams.
Education is very important to me and it goes without saying that I intend to pursue higher education after graduation. I am sure that this will give me the opportunity to achieve good career prospects. Nowadays it is impossible to find an interesting job with a decent salary without a certain level of education, because any company needs qualified specialists. While studying at the university, you gain important knowledge for your future profession. Moreover, university life is very exciting and eventful.
I believe that the importance of education cannot be overestimated. This is one of the most valuable acquisitions and the most powerful weapon that you can get in life. It develops many aspects of the human personality and helps us to understand ourselves more deeply. Education teaches our brain to think, so educated people have the power to change our world and contribute to the well-being of our society.
Many parents face a dilemma when it comes time to think about the education of their children. Should you send your child to study abroad? Or let him stay longer under the wing of mom and dad? Perhaps you should ask the children themselves?WoMo did just that and asked the children of our working moms to talk about all the pros and cons of studying abroad. And here are the answers we got.
Marta Bilas, 25
Place of study: TASIS in Switzerland (The American School In Switzerland), after which she received a BA (Hons) Public Relations from Bournemouth University (UK, Bourmouth) and an MA (Hons) International Business and Management from Westminster University (UK)
I went to school in Switzerland when I was less than 15 years old. At school, I immediately liked the fact that no one forces you to study. They just make it clear that you need knowledge only and create the conditions and atmosphere in which you want to get the most out of the learning process. The teachers are professional and friendly, always ready to help you understand the material of any complexity, spending any amount of extra time on it, which is especially important for foreign students with a language barrier. The format of relations between teachers and students is unusual - partnership and equal during the study time and friendly, sometimes even informal, outside the educational process. I still communicate with many teachers as if they were my friends.
The moment that I did not like is connected, rather, with a different national mentality. Many foreign students do not want to help each other in their studies, which is incomprehensible and unacceptable for us, pupils of Ukrainian schools, even after several years of study abroad. But in this way they manifest competition and such individualism is considered absolutely normal.
Life of a student abroad
School and university rules are different. At school, each student had to study English, mathematics, a foreign language, history, one of the exact sciences and one subject from the field of art (photography, drawing, dramaturgy, art history, etc.). At the university, students are already studying a set of subjects that corresponds to the chosen profession. As a rule, students have 3 hours per week for a subject with a teacher - 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of a seminar where you can ask questions and discuss the topic with fellow students and 9 hours of self-study for maximum results. Lots of project and group work.
The campuses and campuses I have lived on or visited with friends may vary in size, but are always very comfortable and well organized. Necessarily supplied and equipped with everything necessary for a normal life: shops, cafes, food courts, a gym, spacious study rooms and the main place of the campus - unreal libraries where students gather to work on joint projects or just have fun.
I received my school education in Switzerland, my higher education in England. Since the educational process itself at school and at the university is quite different, it is difficult to compare my personal experience. One can, perhaps, note a more democratic school model in Switzerland compared to a school in England - this is from the stories of friends who graduated from English schools.
- Read also:Difficulties
Of course, it is very difficult to be away from home, family and friends during adolescence. Very often, I just wanted to be close to my parents. Life in a new country is also not easy at first. As a rule, you don’t encounter everyday problems in schools, all the difficulties of a psychological plan are the ability to adapt and communicate. You just grow up fast.
pros
Meeting and making friends with people from other countries is one of the most important and wonderful advantages, among many others, in studying abroad.
Self-reliance and confidence. Ability to make decisions and be responsible for them. I can adapt in any company, in any city and in any country. I can't imagine that I would have been able to acquire these skills if I lived and studied at home.
prospects
For me, the world is global and not burdened by borders. Everywhere young professionals with a good education and a desire to work and develop are welcome, and there are enough prospects everywhere. I have experience in the UK and considering my specialty this is a good place to get experience. At the moment I am trying my hand in England, I am also very interested in working in joint projects with Ukraine and, if possible, I will be happy to work in Ukraine.
Dan D., 18
Place of study: Shrewsbury Private School (UK)
I went to study abroad at the age of 11. Teaching is different in that the relationship between student and teacher is much closer due to the fact that the classes are small. And in general, teachers are more professional than Ukrainian teachers, who pay little attention to children.
Life of a student abroad
Education abroad is very systematic, it is not surprising that the British system is considered one of the best in the world. Education in a private school is different from a public school, as students live in houses, and this gives them a sense of a common spirit and the opportunity to be proud of this house, which is reinforced by all sorts of sports and academic competitions. As for education, it must be said that every year the subjects studied become more specialized. Learning becomes individual, and students have to make a responsible decision - to choose subjects in order to prepare for entering the university.
I studied in Moscow, Kiev and Britain. In Moscow, the approach to education is strict, almost Soviet, on the one hand, this is good, since students do not manage to shirk their studies. However, blindly following the instructions is useless, because school is perhaps the very first and most important lesson in a person's life. There must be a certain balance.
Difficulties
Abroad, you may encounter financial problems, difficulties with logistics. But over time, of course, each student grows up, becomes responsible for his actions, understands that moms or dads who want to lay straws are not around. And although living away from home is not easy, it is a great opportunity to grow up and learn to cope with your problems on your own.
pros
Away from your parents, you can do whatever you want, the main thing is to remember the consequences of your actions. Planning the budget, travel, leisure, accommodation - everything falls on the shoulders of the student or student, but this is freedom of action.
Skills acquired during training
Abroad, you quickly become an adult, a person. There are no parents nearby, there is only an education system and rules of conduct at school. Everyone is free to do what they want. For each student there are many opportunities in a private school to help determine what he likes to do.
prospects
In no case will I return to Ukraine, since here everything depends on connections, money, a certain status.
In Britain, the principle of meritocracy is observed by 90%. The remaining 10% depend on me, on those contacts of friends, their families, teachers that I will make at school, and then the chances of opening a path to a successful career become much more real.
Elizaveta Lapina, 16 years old
Place of study: in the eighth grade at the age of 13, she studied at a private English school, Blundell's School. I am currently 16 and doing my BBA at EU Business School (Barcelona, Spain).
I study at an international university. And this means that we have students from almost every country in the world. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with different cultures and make contacts that will be useful in the future. We all maintain good relations, communicate a lot outside of class and even travel together, including visiting each other.
I did not want to get a higher education in Ukraine, mainly because I see my life connected with business, and I would not want to concentrate only on my country. In addition, there was a great desire to study in English. Therefore, I am glad that I chose my university. I have excellent professors who also come from different countries. Each of them holds senior positions in large companies, which gives us, students, the opportunity to teach not only theory, but to analyze real business cases and discuss with teachers about the correctness of their decisions.
Life of a student abroad
There is no hostel at my university, so students either live in private residences (actually student hotels) or rent their own apartment. Lately I've been into the second one. I rent an apartment near the university with my girlfriend. By the way, a little tip: if you want to broaden your horizons and/or learn a new language, rent an apartment with a non-Russian speaking friend. My roommate is from Colombia and I'm already noticing major changes in my Spanish.
I am getting a BBA, which means that my training system is very different from other specialties. Our course is divided into 6 semesters. That is, you can get a diploma in three or even two years. And yes, at the end we get a full bachelor's degree. In each semester we study 10 subjects. Listened - passed the exam - closed the subject. Everything is very simple. In 6 semesters, you manage to pass all the subjects that are important for your business future. Usually professors like to set projects at home. These can be presentations, videos, essays, solving business cases. But no one will ever tell you to read several chapters of a textbook. If we are interested in extracurricular reading, we have an excellent online library.
It's hard for me to compare education in England and Spain, because in one I received a secondary education, and in the other I received a higher education. Of course, living in a dormitory in a typical English private school, four hours from London, is very different from living in your own apartment in the center of Barcelona. England was an interesting experience.
Skills acquired during training
I went with minimal knowledge of English to the most English part of Britain. Absolutely no Russian-speaking children and adults. In just one year my English level has gone from “I can tell you my name” to “You won’t even know I’m from Ukraine”. And also, undoubtedly, a year of living without parents taught me independence, which helps me a lot at the moment. I went to Barcelona already with the full understanding that I would not return to my father's house. It's a little strange to live on your own for a few years, get a college degree, and then live with your parents again.
It seems to me that investment in the future of your child should end with paying for his education. After all, the whole point of higher education is to give you the minimum knowledge to start building your career. And if you do everything right, you can start this path already in the first year. Then financial independence from parents will await you immediately after receiving a diploma.
Difficulties
For me, the transition to an independent life is not yet difficult. I immediately found a roommate to reduce living expenses, learned to deal with my finances and combine my studies with my personal life. In general, I find this transitional stage very interesting, because along the way you learn a lot of new things. For example, deal with the bills for the apartment. They don't teach this in school, so you learn by trial and error. They will turn off something for you or charge you a fine for late payment. Or else it is interesting to open your bank account or receive an identification number. Well, you won’t learn this anywhere until you leave your parents.
pros
Studying abroad is generally one whole plus, especially in my specialty. But the most important advantage for me is, of course, dating. Most of all, you just learn not from professors, but from your own classmates, who share their personal experience during lectures. Each student is a person with their own unique story. The more friends you make while studying, the more stories you hear about their work experience, travel, culture. Views on many things begin to change, because only at an international university do you understand for the first time how big the world is and how many opportunities it gives.
prospects
I love Ukraine very much. I think that I live in the most beautiful country in the world and promote it in every possible way at my university. It seems to me that Ukrainian students underestimate the opportunities that now exist in our country. Now is the time for us to learn the knowledge of world experts and bring this knowledge home to start building Ukraine in a new way. I'm not going to say that immediately after receiving my diploma I will return back. But I can definitely say that I will always position myself as a Ukrainian specialist, no matter where in the world I am.
The American system of school education differs from the systems in other countries.
There are state public schools, private elementary schools and private secondary schools. Public schools are free and private schools are feepaying. Each state has its own system of public schools.
Elementary education begins at the age of six or seven, when a child goes to the first grade (form). At the age of sixteen schoolchildren leave the elementary school and may continue their education at one of the secondary schools or high schools, as they call them.
The program of studies in the school includes English, Arithmetic, Geography, History of the USA, Natural Sciences and, besides, Physical Training, Singing, Drawing, Wood or Metal Work, etc. Sometimes they learn a foreign language and general history. Beside giving general education some high schools teach subjects useful to those who hope to find jobs in industry and agriculture or who want to enter colleges or universities.
After graduating from secondary schools a growing number of Americans go on to higher education. The students do not take the same courses. During the first two years they follow a basic programme. It means that every student must select at least one course from each of the basic fields of study: English, Natural Sciences, Modern Languages, History or Physical Training. After the first two years, every student can select subjects according to his professional interest.
The National Government gives no direct financial aid to the institutions of higher education. Students must pay a tuition fee. This creates a financial hardship for some people. Many students have to work to pay their expenses. The Americans place a high value on education. That’s why Kennedy said, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.”
Translation:
The American school system is different from the systems in other countries.
There are public public schools, private elementary schools and private high schools. Public schools are free and private schools are paid. Each state has its own public school system.
Primary education begins at the age of six or seven, when a child enters first grade. At the age of sixteen schoolchildren finish primary school and can continue their education in one of the secondary schools or high school, as they call them.
The curriculum at the school includes English, arithmetic, geography, US history, natural sciences and, in addition, physical education, singing, drawing, writing, etc. Sometimes they study a foreign language and general history. In addition to providing general education, some secondary schools teach subjects that are useful to those who hope to find jobs in industry and agriculture or who want to go to colleges or universities.
After graduating from high school, an increasing number of Americans receive higher education. Students do not take the same courses. For the first two years they follow the main program. This means that each student must choose at least one course from the general fields of science: English, science, modern languages, history and physical education. After the first two years, each student can choose subjects according to his professional interests.
National governments do not give direct financial assistance to institutions of higher education. Students must pay tuition. This creates financial hardship for some people. Many students have to work to pay their expenses. Americans attach great importance to education. That's why Kennedy said, "Our progress as a nation cannot be faster than our progress in education."
Among English learners, it is generally accepted that the most effective way to learn it is to go abroad, that is, immerse yourself in the language environment. And some people even think that this is the only way to start speaking and thinking in English. But is it really so?
In this article, you will find out in which cases teaching English abroad for adults is really effective, and when it is not. You will understand all the pros and cons of this way of learning the language and determine if this option is right for you.
Where did the statement come from that it is more effective to learn English abroad?
Why do some people think that studying English abroad is the most effective option?
Let's remember how we all learned the language at school: in the classroom we analyzed the rules, did written exercises, read, studied and translated texts. The same thing happened in many language courses and in classes with a tutor.
Standard conversational practice was given at best 10-15% of the class time, and theory occupied the lion's share of training: 85-90% of the time. The classes themselves were quite rare: 1-2 times for 90 minutes.
As a result, at best, many of us understood the rules and knew English words, but could not speak English.
What happens when we study English abroad? When a person enters an English-speaking country, he gets what he lacked in Russia - speaking practice. As a result, the person quickly begins to speak plain English. Now he can speak it in class, on the street, in shops, restaurants, etc.
Naturally, for a person who has never tried speaking at home and who has never had conversational practice, this will be a huge breakthrough. After that, many of our compatriots who came, for example, from the same Malta, told all their friends that the language environment is the most effective method of learning, since they finally got the result!
However, learning English abroad is not always as effective as it seems at first glance. There are some features that you need to consider if you really want to get a good result from training.
When is it effective to study English abroad?
In order to get the maximum effect from studying abroad, you need to consider the following points:
1. Your level of English must be at least pre intermediate
You must understand that language schools are taught entirely in English. No one will switch to Russian to explain the rule to you. If you have a zero level, then you simply will not understand anything.
Imagine that you went to China and everyone around you speaks a language that is unfamiliar to you, and training is also carried out in it. Can you speak Chinese if you have no idea about this language?
The same is true in English: you will not be able to understand what will be explained to you, and you will not have the opportunity to ask something in Russian. The effectiveness of such training will not be high.
If you already have basic knowledge (better at the pre-intermediate level), you will be able to understand what is being said in class.
Related article: English with a native speaker or a Russian-speaking teacher?
2. The term of your training should be from a month or more
Each person has their own goal in English. Depending on your goal, you need to spend a different amount of time on training in order to achieve it. Also, the duration of training depends on your knowledge and conversational skills.
Will there be a result in 1-2 weeks? It will be if you have a low level of knowledge: you will start speaking and thinking in English, you will understand speech better. But it will be plain English. You need to understand this and not build illusions that after the trip you will speak like a native speaker.
If you know English at a good level and you can already speak it, then you will not notice much result in 1-2 weeks. To achieve a visible result, you will need a longer training: from a month or more. But in this case, you will improve your English at times!
3. It is necessary to exclude communication with Russian-speaking people
As I wrote above, the main advantage of studying abroad is that you have the opportunity to speak English everywhere. Thus, you are completely immersed in the language.
If, after classes, you communicate with Russian-speaking students, then the effectiveness of your training drops significantly. Communicate only in English. After all, that's what you're after. Communication will help you learn to think in it faster.
Although learning English in the environment is effective, it, like other types of learning, has its positive and negative sides. Let's consider them.
Benefits of learning English abroad
Studying English abroad will give you certain advantages compared to classes in Moscow (or in another city in our country):
1. You will speak English all the time.
You will speak English both during and after classes. English will be everywhere, you will be completely immersed in the environment.
2. The language barrier will disappear very quickly.
When there is only English around you, you simply cannot help but speak. You will have to communicate with different people, and you will quickly get rid of the fear of communication. Your language barrier will collapse.
3. Communication with people from different countries.
In a foreign school, people from all over the world will study with you. You will not only study together, but also spend your free time. By communicating with people from all over the world, you will learn about their culture, countries and enrich your horizons. In addition, you will make friends from different countries. It will enrich your life experience.
4. It's fun and interesting.
You will not only learn, but also have fun. Traveling is always exciting. And studying at a foreign school is a great way to change the situation and spend time fun and usefully.
Cons of learning English abroad
But this method also has significant drawbacks. It is because of them that not all people can afford this way of learning:
1. High cost of education
For all the pleasures described above you will have to pay. Studying at language schools abroad is not cheap. And the price will be very different from the price of any courses in Russia. In addition to tuition fees, you will need to pay for housing, food and other "pocket expenses". In general, the cost of courses abroad will cost 4 or more times more than studying in Russia.
2. The need for a long absence
Not every person can afford to drop everything and go abroad for a month or more. All adults have jobs, and unless you work remotely, you can hardly afford to be away for such a long time.
Also, many have a family and children whom they cannot leave for the sake of learning English.
Learn English abroad or in Moscow?
Of course, if you have the opportunity to go abroad for 1-6 months and study English there, then should use it. It will be very effective!
You will not only speak English and learn to think, but also enrich your life experience, get a lot of impressions and make friends around the world. The main thing after returning is to maintain the received level of English.
If you do not have such an opportunity, you do not need to be upset. Why? Because 90-95% of people who speak English learned it in Russia without studying abroad!
The main thing that gives us the language environment is great speaking practice, that is, the ability to communicate everywhere in English. Previously, as I wrote at the beginning of the article, everyone studied according to the classical method, where there was almost no such practice.
Now it is easy to find conversational courses in Moscow or in another city where conversational practice makes up the majority of the training time (80%, for example, like ours). The main thing is that there is a lot of this practice, the technique is effective, and the classes themselves take place as often as possible (3-5 times a week). Such training will allow you to train your “speaking” skill without traveling and start communicating in English.
So just because you can't afford to study a language abroad doesn't mean you'll never speak it.
Yes, the learning process will be a little slower than in English courses abroad, since after classes you will return to your native language. But with enough practice and the right teaching methodology, you will be able to speak English in a short time in Russia.
