Our experiences abroad

-Nicola

I have never visited an English-speaking country, but since I was a child, I've gonr on holiday in Croatia and I have always used English to communicate, because I can’t speak Croatian. The first years I went there, they could understand a little bit of Italian and my parents would speak also for me, but since I started middle school, I tried to speak only English with the people I met there. That helped me in interaction with others and improved my speaking skills. One day I hope to visit an English-speaking country because I would like to improve my pronunciation and learn more English typical expressions.

- Claudia

About 3 years ago I went on a study trip to England, more precisely to London. At first I was very worried and I was afraid of having a lot of trouble in being able to speak a language different from mine practically all day. But once I arrived, I was surrounded by more than 300 students from every corner of the world. Also the teachers were all really young and gutsy and the environment was friendly. Even those who are not very well prepared in speaking English should not be afraid of having difficulties also because no one is judged and everyone is helped not only at the arrival, but during thewhole learning journey. This was the first sensation as soon as we got to EC English Language Centres.

Once we arrived, we took a test to determine our level of English and the teachers offered us a study plan. The first lesson we attended was General English. Other lessons were "Free conversation coffee", it was a group coffee break during which we talked about generic topics while drinking coffee, tea or chocolate. Besides classes there were many other activities such as musicals, cultural trips, football, museums.. they were activities organized by the school in the afternoon that allowed us to have fun, to learn more about London and in the meantime to continue learning and practicing the language together with the other students of the school with whom I could easily establish a good friendship.

The other side of the experience abroad to learn the language is definitely to have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a beautiful foreign city and be also a tourist. So we too, between classes, also enjoyed the city.