Preparing your learners for university study abroad

Richard Cleeve
A young woman taking notes in a lecture theatre, she is sat by other young people.

Whether your learners are going for a single semester, academic year or an entire university course, studying abroad is an excellent opportunity for them. They’ll have the chance to discover a new culture, develop new skills and make new friends.

University study in another country also poses several challenges. But as a teacher, you can equip them for this experience and prepare them for future academic success.

Why study abroad?

Most people think that studying at university is hard enough, without the added difficulty of doing it overseas. But that doesn’t stop hundreds of thousands of university students from leaving the support of family and friends and relocating to a foreign country.

People apply to study in another country for a range of reasons. A university program abroad might offer the student better tuition and a greater promise of future employment or simply represent better value for money. And in the case of very specialist university courses, studying abroad may be the only option.

Whatever the reason, the decision to study in a foreign country is likely to involve a high level of proficiency in another language – and more often than not, that language is English.

A move towards English language in higher education

There has been a significant shift in higher education in the last ten years, as many European institutions look to internationalize their programs. As a result, across Europe, we have seen a sharp growth in the number of university courses taught in English. English-taught bachelor’s programs offered by universities in the have multiplied dramatically over the last decade.Ìý

What challenges do learners face?

Academic skills

There are a whole range of academic skills that students are expected to know when they start university. From research and evaluation, to note-making and referencing, many learners will enter higher education lacking many of the essential skills they require.

Studying in a foreign language

Not only will they have to master new skills, but they may need to do them in a second language. What’s more, even everyday things that fluent speakers may take for granted, such as understanding lectures, reading academic papers, writing essays and even socializing with new friends, will take a lot more effort if English isn’t your first language.

Administrative issues

There are many potential pitfalls for a student in a new academic setting. From the administrative process and campus regulations to the types of lessons and assessments, there may be a lot of differences to deal with. Even understanding the etiquette of addressing and interacting with professors can be daunting.

Problems integrating

Another challenge is integrating into another culture. Even if the host country is culturally similar, adapting to new surroundings is not always straightforward. There can also be a certain amount of ghettoization, where international students might stick together and remain isolated from the local student population.

Homesickness

for international students to deal with. Depending on how far they travel to study, your learners may be unable to return home easily, visit their families and alleviate their homesickness.

Mental health

Moving abroad and living in a completely new place can be very stressful and overwhelming, and many factors can exacerbate/cause . Making it harder to do day-to-day tasks, socialize and study.Ìý

Money worries

Without a grant or a scholarship, studying abroad can be very expensive. If your learners currently live at home with their parents, the cost of accommodation may be formidable. The higher cost of living could mean they have to look for a part-time job to supplement their income. Understanding a country's can also be confusing and hard to calculate into their budget.

What can you do to get your students ready?

All of the challenges mentioned above have one thing in common. If a student cannot communicate effectively, these situations can be exacerbated. Language is key, whether it’s accessing support, communicating with professors or getting to grips with a new culture.

Here are some things you can do to help your learners prepare for university life:

1) Put them in touch with past students

It’s important that your learners have a clear idea of what university study abroad entails. Creating a chance for them to speak to other students who have already gone through that experience can be extremely valuable.

Students who have returned from studying abroad can help with your learners' doubts and put their minds at rest. They might be able to provide essential advice about a specific country or university or simply tell their story. Either way, it’s a great way to reassure and encourage your learners.

2) Use appropriate authentic content

In preparation for your learner’s time abroad, the language course that you teach should align with their future linguistic needs. One of the main aims should be to develop the language skills required to perform successfully and confidently in their new context.

3) Teach them academic study skills

Think back to when you were at university and what you struggled with. Group work, presentations, critical thinking and exam skills are all things which your learners will need to be proficient in, so the more you practice them in class the better.

4) Promote autonomous learning

Success at university is deeply rooted in a student’s ability to work independently and develop practical self-study skills. Giving your learners more choice in the language learning process is one way to encourage autonomy.

Explore our English courses and tests to support your students

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    Four motivating activities to teach core values through reading

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    Teaching ourÌýchildren coreÌývalues is so important in helping them to becomeÌýhappy,Ìýwell-balancedÌýcitizens who will make a positive contributionÌýtoÌýour future society.Ìý

    Values are present and visible everywhere and they areÌýtheÌýfoundation or starting point from where we make our decisions, which ultimately determine our futures. It is,Ìýtherefore,Ìýimportant that our children learn a strong, moral set of values that will help guide them as they grow older,Ìýinform their decisions,Ìýhelp them toÌýknow right from wrong, solve problems, assert themselves and build self-esteem and confidence.

    Values can beÌýbuiltÌýon aÌýpersonal level or evenÌýshared atÌýa group level such as a family and friendship group.ÌýHowever, we often see them on a larger scale within communities, countries or even the whole world.Ìý

    Having a shared set of values connects peopleÌýon a deeper levelÌýand helps us to all work towards the same goals and standards – they canÌýeven encourage people to see the similarities between each other, rather than theÌýdifferences.Ìý

    Learning values through reading

    Children learn about values through their families, friends, and teachers, through what they watch or listen to and through their life experiences. They also learn about valuesÌýthrough the books they read.ÌýThese lessonsÌýcan be subtle but are oftenÌýextremely powerful andÌýcanÌýhave a significant impact and influence.

    As an example, let’s have a look at how shared valuesÌýareÌýexplored in theÌýnew graded readers series for young learners,ÌýDisney Kids Readers, where special emphasis has been put on exploring values within a story.ÌýAt the end, you will find severalÌývalue-based activitiesÌýthat you can download for use in the classroom orÌýasÌýan activity at home.Ìý

    HowÌýdo Disney Kids Readers teach core values?

    1. Learning through stories that are already familiar can help children to trust in and take on board the key messages much more easily. Familiarity can break down many barriers to communication and help us understand that values are often universal.Ìý
    2. Many children are also familiar with the Disney characters and can find inspiration from reading how they react to situations in life, make decisions and behave. Children often look up to characters and can see them as role models within their own lives. As a result, the readers can be a reference point on how to respond to key life moments and how to incorporate values into real life.
    3. Also, depending on the child's age, some values may be new and children may not yet have experience with them in the real world. Therefore, the Disney stories allow them to explore these key messages through their favorite Disney character’s point of view.Ìý

    Each Disney Kids Reader is linked to a key valueÌýand contains a ‘Values’ page with aÌýshortÌýcomicÌýstripÌýthat brings to life a specific value.Ìý

    The list below detailsÌýa selection ofÌýkey values taught across the readers.ÌýYou could askÌýthe childrenÌýin your classÌýto talk about which values are most important to them and why. Ask them to give an exampleÌýofÌýa time when they have demonstrated this value in their own lives.Ìý

    Friendship, positivity, curiosity, confidence, open-mindedness, courage, determination, self-belief, responsibility, resilience, respect, honesty.

    Examples of key values inÌýDisney stories

    InÌýThe Jungle Book,ÌýfriendshipÌýis a keyÌývalue,Ìýand we learn that it is important to help our friends. Baloo helps Mowgli when he is alone in the jungle and scared. An angry tiger wants Mowgli to leave the jungle, but when Mowgli meets Baloo, he finds a friend in him. Baloo sees that Mowgli is scared and looks after him.ÌýWe learn that it is important to help our friends when they are in need.Ìý

    Do:ÌýAsk the children when they have helped their friends.

    InÌýInside Out, we learn aboutÌýsincerityÌýandÌýhowÌýimportantÌýit is to talk about how we are feeling. Riley is a teenager struggling with a whole range of emotions and we learn that life isn’t about being happy all the time and that it is okay to be sad sometimes. The children learn that this is a normal part of life and that talking it through with a friend, a parent or a teacher can help.

    Do:ÌýAsk the children if they share their feelings with others.

    Here are some activities for you to use with your class to help put into practice the core values from the readers. You can use these activities with any book, in and outside the classroom.

    1. My Values Road Sign (L3-4)

    This activityÌýisÌýa great way of talkingÌýtoÌýchildrenÌýabout their values. By creating a road sign poster,Ìýit will help them to decide which values are most important to them and it is something that they canÌýreferÌýto again and again in challenging times. They can stick it on their bedroom wall, display it on the fridge or you could even make a classroom display of shared valuesÌýwhen children have finishedÌýtheirÌýbooks!

    Download the worksheet

    Ìý2. Kindness Calendar (L4-6)

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    3. Core Values Quiz (L5-6)

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    4. My future self (L1-2)

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    Read our blog posts 'Fostering self-care and wellbeing through the world of reading'Ìýand 'The importance of teaching values to young learners'.

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    Fostering self-care and wellbeing through the world of reading

    By Nicola Schofield
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    Growing up is an exciting time. Children are curious and open-minded, and every day welcomes a new thing to learn. They are constantly exploring and discovering themselves and the world around them. But children also have to face many challenging times too as they get older. It is, therefore, important that we teach our young people to be aware of their own wellbeing and self-care, what they can do to lead a balanced and healthy life, and give them the tools they need to help them in difficult times, both mentally and physically. Ìý

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    Motivating children to read English books with fun activities

    By Nicola Schofield

    Why is reading important?Ìý

    Apart from being aÌýgreat hobbyÌýand funÌýactivity, it can help children improve in many areas of their lives through developingÌýkey transferrable skills. Reading in their native language and English can bring a whole range of benefits. To engage everyone, they mustÌýunderstand the benefits themselves.Ìý Ìý

    Ask your students why it's important and create a mind map of ideas. You may alsoÌýwish to use some of the points below to start the conversation. Having a common idea that everyone agrees on can help build motivation and engagement in the classroom.Ìý

    ImprovesÌýlanguage skillsÌý

    Regular reading develops children’s linguistic skills – it helps them learn goodÌýsentence structure, grammar, vocabulary andÌýimprovesÌýspelling in their own language and in the English language too. Reading aloudÌýalso strengthensÌýknowledge of phonics and improvesÌýpronunciationÌýand articulation.ÌýÌý

    Improves memoryÌý

    It can help to develop knowledge of phonics and vocabularyÌýrecall and improve focus and concentrationÌý– all necessary skills when learning a language.Ìý

    Cultivates curiosityÌý

    Books help kids’ imaginations to growÌýandÌýencourage them to beÌýmore open-minded. TheyÌýhelp us to learn about other cultures and encourage us to think more creatively. Through subtle messages,ÌýreadingÌýbuildsÌýanÌýawareness of the world in which we live andÌýenablesÌýchildren to formÌýtheir ownÌýopinionsÌýand ask questions.Ìý

    Creates empathyÌý

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    Reduces stressÌý

    It is a great way toÌýcalm the mind and help us relax and destress. Children can learn to use it as a helpful tool in their day-to-day lives.ÌýÌýÌý

    Develops key life skillsÌý

    Children develop their confidence, communication, resilience, patience, social skills and connectÌýwith the wider world, cultureÌýand communities.Ìý

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    ItÌýmustÌýbe fun,Ìýpurposeful and relevantÌý

    Well-known adaptationsÌýcan remove barriers, support and encourage students’ imagination,ÌýandÌýsparkÌýa genuine interest. TheyÌýgive purpose and relevance to the students as most students have watched a movieÌýat some point in their lives and most students have aÌýfavorite movieÌýor character.ÌýÌý

    Let your young learners chooseÌý

    There are plenty of English Readers to choose fromÌý– if the students can choose their own readers, they will likely be more motivated and focused. Choice gives the students power and makes it more relevant to them. Ask your students to choose theirÌýfavorite movieÌýandÌýhave a vote as a class. Get to know your students, find out what interests them, and base yourÌýbook choice around this.Ìý

    RewardsÌýÌý

    To motivate students, theyÌýmust know that they areÌýmaking progress. Reward students for their achievements – for example,ÌýcreateÌýa vocabulary wall orÌýa class book chart and give rewardsÌýlikeÌýaÌýstickerÌýorÌýa postcardÌýto takeÌýhome.Ìý