There has been a contentious debate on whether studying English in an English-speaking country is the most preferred way to learn the language. Many claim that it is certainly not the sole method of learning. This essay will delve into the reasons for my strong proposition to this notion.
To commence with, living in a country which has English as its native language enables students to practice English twenty-four hours a day. Residing in a foreign country requires adaptation, not to mention, when a language barrier is an issue. As a result, their motivation to study English could be boosted when they are put in difficult situations to survive. For instance, when students are expected to buy their own groceries, they will try their best in practice English speaking in the right rhythm and pronunciation to be understood by native-English speakers. If they practice this all the time, they will master English in no time. Hence, learning English in a foreign land could inspire students to study English continuously.
Additionally, by learning English abroad, not only are they able to gain more exposure to a myriad of English vocabulary related to their subjects, but they could also pick up some daily conversational phrases or slang. Those informal phrases are also beneficial to provide more comprehension in speaking English in both formal and informal settings since beginners are used to writing and speaking formally in the beginning of their study. For example, many students who are able to speak English fluently still find it difficult to understand native-English speakers with different accents and slang. Being exposed to those native groups personally in other countries could teach them how to interact with different English speakers worldwide. Hence, another advantage in studying English abroad involves exposure to different English accents and informal phrases.
Studying abroad, however, is undeniably not the only way to learn English. In recent times, technological advancements have made studying English not a luxury anymore for plenty of study materials are available on the Internet for free. This includes YouTube videos, free-access English learning websites, or even long-distance teachings from native English teachers through Google meetings or Zoom. This method of learning is beneficial to increase the accessibility of students who might not be able to afford studying abroad to the same materials. Hence, in this case, personal willingness and efforts to study become pivotal and the main indicators for studying. Take Indonesian youngsters as examples. Recently, due to the growing consumption of Hollywood contents and English songs worldwide, along with the availability of great English textbooks in Indonesia, students who have no experience in being abroad are able to speak English fluently.
In conclusion, despite being the most effective method of learning English and understanding native English culture, studying in an English-speaking country is definitely not the only method for studying. Therefore, I ardently concur with the paramount importance of the willingness to study as the most critical criteria for success in studying.