7 English-speaking countries to practise English in this summer

practise English - Illustration by Lucy VigrassSummer is here and school is out, so if you’re looking for a way to practice everything you’ve learned in class, why not head overseas to an English-speaking country to practice with the locals? Here are 7 English-speaking countries to practise English in this summer:

The USA

From the bright lights of bustling New York to the famous drives and boulevards of LA, from the majestic beauty of the Grand Canyon to the Northern Lights across Alaska, the USA offers more than a lifetime’s worth of variety for the visitor. Many of its sights are familiar the world over: the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Lincoln Memorial, the Hollywood Sign. So is American English, in all its rich diversity, so if you’re looking to study or improve your language skills this summer, the USA gives you no end of choice. And wherever you go, you’re bound to be given a hearty American welcome and made to feel at home.

New Zealand

Many readers will be familiar with the breathtaking and richly diverse scenery of New Zealand from the Lord of the Rings movies, which werr filmed there, but just as well-known is the friendliness and openness of ‘Kiwis’. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, why not combine your English study with one of the many activities that are popular there – all in the same area and even in the same day! – surfing, sailing, skiing, parachuting, snowboarding, kayaking, tramping, horse riding, caving, and even bungee jumping, which was invented in New Zealand. What’s more, Aotearoa has its rich indigenous Maori culture and the Maori language, giving you even more to discover.

South Africa

South Africa might not be the first country to come to mind if you’re thinking of studying English overseas this summer, but the combination of fantastic scenery, great wine, excellent dining, the spectacular beauty of Cape Town, endless sunshine and the welcoming smiles of South Africans is hard to beat. Students visit from all over the world to learn English and enjoy the Rainbow Nation’s warmth and vibrancy, combining study courses with adventure holidays, Big 5 safaris and tours to get to know legendary sites such as Kruger National park, Table Mountain andthe Cradle of Humankind.

Canada

practise English - Illustration by Lucy_VigrassDiverse and multicultural, with incredible scenery and attractive cities that consistently rank among those that are safest and have the highest quality of life in the world, Canada is a great place to head to if you’re looking to travel overseas to practice your English this summer. Think maple leaves, Mounties and beavers, think skiing in Whistler, jazz in Montreal and fireworks in Vancouver. Canada is one of the most popular destinations for English language students, with visitors from across the globe, and you’ll find no shortage of schools to study at, plenty to do all summer, and locals that will give you a warm and lasting welcome.

Australia

Even though it’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere in July and August, the Australian sun still shines. For the English language learner, this welcoming country offers not only a wealth of fantastic destinations – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Cairns to name but a few – it also has no shortage of world-famous sites, including Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, Uluru, Kakadu National Park, and the Great Ocean Road, plus diving at the Great Barrier Reef, surfing off the Queensland coast, hiking in the Daintree, the world’s oldest rainforest, and, of course, barbie and beer with the locals.

Ireland

Famous for its friendliness and hospitality, its music and its poetry, its watering holes and its castles, Ireland makes a great destination if you’re thinking of practicing your English overseas, and, with one of Europe’s youngest populations, has a special draw for the young at heart. From literary Dublin to the Midsummer Festival in Cork, there’s plenty to see and do in summer in Ireland. It’s one of the most popular destinations for English language students, with plenty of schools and homestay programmes and a guaranteed welcome from the locals.

The UK

There might not always be much sunshine, but there’s plenty to do in the UK over summer if you’re heading there to study English. London plays host to the three-day Notting Hill Carnival, while Edinburgh stages the biggest arts festival in Europe, with the alternative Fringe Festival running concurrently. For music lovers, Glasgow is home to one of the UK’s most thriving live music scenes, while for those who love the outdoors, Wales offers 1200 km of beautiful coast line and the stunning Snowdonia National Park, on top of which the country’s bilingual, meaning you’ll be among people sympathetic to your own efforts to communicate in a second language. Across the sea Northern Ireland waits to greet you, with its lively capital, Belfast, along with sleepy villages, the Giant’s Causeway, lovely beaches and many wonderful areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Pearson Speakout 2nd EditionWherever you end up, you’ll be exposed to the local accent and dialect, be it the inimitable New York twang, the dulcet tones of Dublin, the Scottish brogue or the Texan drawl. Why not go better prepared for the diversity of English by working through one of Speakout courses, which offer lot of great audiovisual input in global English and plenty of practice activities to help send you on your way. And once you’re underway, don’t forget that you can study online with our Pearson English Interactive series, taking your learning with you wherever you go. Happy travelling this summer!

You might also be interested in…

– Top 20 books for learning English during the summertime

– 30 useful English idioms and expressions

– 21 unusual English expressions from around the world

– 10 unusual expressions in English and where they come from

– 12 surprising facts about the English language

– 50 of the most useful English abbreviations and acronyms

– 20 words and phrases English owes to Shakespeare

Don’t forget to sign up to our ELT blog. You’ll find lots of great stuff to read here!

More info at Pearson ELT Spain & Portugal

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