Taking on the Challenge

Different language

If your native language is not English, you might be experiencing the challenge of having to live and study in a new language.  This can be tiring.  You might be tempted to talk in your native language whenever possible.  Remember, though, that it is important to keep improving your English.  Use English as much as possible every day.

Often international students tell us as they are leaving that they wish they had worked harder on perfecting their English.  

Sometimes newly arrived international students are not interested in improving their English.  They arrive knowing they have a 6 in IELTS and they believe that this mark means that they are already proficient and don’t need to waste valuable time on their English.  In fact, a 6 in IELTS means your English is at the minimal level for study at Victoria.  You will need to improve this level if you are to succeed.  You will need to actively develop your English language skills.

If you begin your first-trimester study at Victoria and then realise your English is not quite good enough for your courses, take a trimester off from your degree programme and enrol in an EPP (English Proficiency Programme) course for the next trimester.  For more information about this course, contact the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies: www.victoria.ac.nz/lals

 

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