Uploaded November 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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ABOUT THIS VIDEO
In this video, I talk about studying abroad and whether it can help you improve your English. I speak from my own experience of studying Spanish in Argentina, but I also share lots of information that my students have shared with me over the years.
To begin, studying abroad costs THOUSANDS of dollars, so it's a big investment. Many people spend this money because they think studying abroad will make them fluent. I used to believe the same thing.
Then I learned that fluency doesn't come from a classroom. It comes when you immerse yourself in a language and communicate with other people frequently.
Unfortunately, the "school" part of a study abroad trip is very similar to what you can already experience in your home country. And, while classes can help with your writing, grammar, & vocabulary, they rarely help with your speaking and confidence.
So, if you are planning to study abroad and you want to make the most of your trip... this is what you need to do:
1. immerse yourself in the culture
2. surround yourself with native speakers
3. speak as much as possible
4. work on your confidence & mindset
Studying abroad can be an amazing experience, but it's better to go with the right expectations. And, if your goal is to improve your spoken English, it might even be better to apply for an internship or volunteer position.
Just remember that studying English in an English speaking country is not the solution to your problems with fluency. Many people believe it's the only way to get fluent, but it's not. I know lots of people who speak phenomenal English and never went to an English-speaking country.
If you have any experience related to this topic, please share it with us in the comments!
What was your study abroad trip like?
What did you like about it?
What didn't you like?
What advice do you have for people who want to study in an English speaking country?
--OR--
Have you gotten fluent without studying abroad? How did you do it?
--AND FINALLY--
If you are thinking about studying abroad but don't know if you should, tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Why is the decision difficult for you?
What questions do you have about what to expect?
Where are you thinking of studying?
Why do you want to go?
Let's turn this into a discussion and share our thoughts with each other!
Join the conversation in the comments :)
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
🌎 OUR STUDENTS
See some of our English Full:Time students here:
instagram.com/englishfulltime_students
10 THINGS ABOUT ME
1. I was born in California, USA
2. I went to study abroad in Argentina in 2013
3. I met my husband Renzo in Argentina
4. We got married 5 months after we met!
5. We lived about 5 years in Argentina then started traveling
6. I started English Full:Time in 2016
7. Ren & I now live in California and have two amazing kids
8. We travel as much as we can (especially to Argentina!)
9. I speak Spanish fluently
10. I drink "mate" 🧉 every day!
CONNECT WITH ME 🙋🏼♀️
→ Newsletter: englishfulltime.com
→ Instagram: instagram.com/theenglishcoach
→ Facebook: facebook.com/stefanietheenglishcoach
→ Tiktok: tiktok.com/@theenglishcoach
→ X: https://x.com/englishfulltime
→ Business Inquiries: stefanie@englishfulltime.com
Join my EnglishLife community 👉 englishfulltime.com/englishlife
Get the Sound Bank 👉 englishfulltime.com/sound-bank
Grab my FREE Starter Pack 👉 englishfulltime.com
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
ABOUT THIS VIDEO
In this video, I talk about studying abroad and whether it can help you improve your English. I speak from my own experience of studying Spanish in Argentina, but I also share lots of information that my students have shared with me over the years.
To begin, studying abroad costs THOUSANDS of dollars, so it's a big investment. Many people spend this money because they think studying abroad will make them fluent. I used to believe the same thing.
Then I learned that fluency doesn't come from a classroom. It comes when you immerse yourself in a language and communicate with other people frequently.
Unfortunately, the "school" part of a study abroad trip is very similar to what you can already experience in your home country. And, while classes can help with your writing, grammar, & vocabulary, they rarely help with your speaking and confidence.
So, if you are planning to study abroad and you want to make the most of your trip... this is what you need to do:
1. immerse yourself in the culture
2. surround yourself with native speakers
3. speak as much as possible
4. work on your confidence & mindset
Studying abroad can be an amazing experience, but it's better to go with the right expectations. And, if your goal is to improve your spoken English, it might even be better to apply for an internship or volunteer position.
Just remember that studying English in an English speaking country is not the solution to your problems with fluency. Many people believe it's the only way to get fluent, but it's not. I know lots of people who speak phenomenal English and never went to an English-speaking country.
If you have any experience related to this topic, please share it with us in the comments!
What was your study abroad trip like?
What did you like about it?
What didn't you like?
What advice do you have for people who want to study in an English speaking country?
--OR--
Have you gotten fluent without studying abroad? How did you do it?
--AND FINALLY--
If you are thinking about studying abroad but don't know if you should, tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Why is the decision difficult for you?
What questions do you have about what to expect?
Where are you thinking of studying?
Why do you want to go?
Let's turn this into a discussion and share our thoughts with each other!
Join the conversation in the comments :)
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
🌎 OUR STUDENTS
See some of our English Full:Time students here:
instagram.com/englishfulltime_students
10 THINGS ABOUT ME
1. I was born in California, USA
2. I went to study abroad in Argentina in 2013
3. I met my husband Renzo in Argentina
4. We got married 5 months after we met!
5. We lived about 5 years in Argentina then started traveling
6. I started English Full:Time in 2016
7. Ren & I now live in California and have two amazing kids
8. We travel as much as we can (especially to Argentina!)
9. I speak Spanish fluently
10. I drink "mate" 🧉 every day!
CONNECT WITH ME 🙋🏼♀️
→ Newsletter: englishfulltime.com
→ Instagram: instagram.com/theenglishcoach
→ Facebook: facebook.com/stefanietheenglishcoach
→ Tiktok: tiktok.com/@theenglishcoach
→ X: https://x.com/englishfulltime
→ Business Inquiries: stefanie@englishfulltime.com
