Internships and work experience can help in numerous ways, improve someone's workplace skills, add extra value to a resume or even help a person realize if a workplace/profession is for them. They are also very helpful in developing language skills. Language development is an ongoing process that extends far beyond the classroom. While language courses and textbooks are often needed, real-world experiences like internships and work placements also play a crucial role in shaping a person's language proficiency. Whether you're a student or graduate deciding to take a placement or someone who just wants to reskill, it can be beneficial and help your language proficiency. Today we explore how internships and work experience can aid a person's language learning skills.
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Learning a language through immersion is one of the most effective methods. By participating in internships or work experiences in an environment where the target language is spoken regularly, students and professionals can be exposed to authentic language use. According to Stephen Krashen, a renowned linguist, immersion in a language-rich environment can greatly improve language acquisition.
Participating in internships and work experiences can be incredibly beneficial for individuals looking to improve their language skills. Not only does it provide them with practical, real-world scenarios to apply their skills, but it also forces them to use language for specific tasks, such as writing reports, conducting meetings, or communicating with colleagues and clients. This type of hands-on experience creates an ideal learning environment where individuals can practice and improve their language abilities in a professional setting.
Various fields and industries have their own set of terms and phrases that are specific to them. These specialized terminologies are important for effective communication within the industry. When individuals participate in internships or work experience programs, they are exposed to these unique language nuances. This exposure enables them to become more familiar with the specific language used in these industries and expand their vocabulary. Moreover, familiarity with industry-specific vocabulary enhances their comprehension of technical language, which can help them in their future career growth.
Clear and effective communication is a crucial aspect of any profession. Work experiences offer individuals numerous opportunities to hone their business English in diverse communication contexts. This involves engaging with colleagues, supervisors, and clients, which facilitates the growth of interpersonal and soft skills. With the after-effects of the pandemic still having a large impact on,it’s important to not overlook the importance of this advantage.
Language and culture are closely intertwined. When individuals participate in internships or work experiences, they not only acquire the language but also gain an understanding of the customs and culture associated with it. This cultural awareness enhances their language skills, making them more effective communicators, especially in cross-cultural settings. For those who do not have the opportunity to mingle and interact with people of different backgrounds in their everyday life, the workplace provides an excellent opportunity to learn about different cultures.
Internships and work experiences are amazing opportunities for people to develop their language skills. They give you a chance to dive into real-life language contexts and learn industry-specific terminology, which can help you improve your communication skills and gain a better understanding of cultures. By actively participating in these experiences, you can significantly enhance your language proficiency and prepare yourself for a successful career in today's modern world. So, if you're considering an internship, take the leap and don't miss out on these wonderful opportunities to improve your skills. You can find lots of listings online and on websites like and .
Learning English with music can enhance learning and create a more engaging and dynamic classroom environment. In a previous post, we discussed if music can help you learn a language; this post looks at how music can be incorporated into the classroom.
Using music in your classroom can help improve student motivation, focus, and retention of information. Here are some ways you can use music to enhance your classroom teaching:
Have you considered studying abroad? Moving to Canada to study? With more than 100 world-class universities across the country, there’s good reason to. From coast to coast to coast, it offers many international students a safe and supportive learning environment and the opportunity to work after graduation.
Want to learn more? In this guide, we cover ten things you should know about studying in Canada:
There is a strong link between well-being and friendship, which is just as accurate for children as it is for adults. that children with stable friendships are happier, more able to cope with stress, and have higher self-esteem. Moreover, too, and children who experience friendship adjust more easily to school and perform better academically. School friendships are also a valuable way of learning social skills like sharing, resolving conflict, and engaging with peers positively.
Having friends is an important part of school life, and teachers can play a significant role in creating a positive classroom culture and helping children and young people to form friendships. How can you promote friendships between your students? Here are some ideas:
If there is an example of a good friendship in a book you are reading with students or in your lesson materials, draw your students’ attention to it. For instance, The Jungle Book is an excellent example of a story about friendship. Encourage your students to think critically about the friendships that they read about. You can ask questions like:
By discussing friendship regularly in the classroom, your students will learn about the behavior and characteristics of being a good friend.
You can create lots of opportunities for students to build friendships with one another during class time. Design activities that call for pair or group work, and include at least one or two in every lesson. Focusing on a common goal or problem is a great way to encourage your students to bond with one another.As a bonus, this collaborative way of working promotes important 21st century skills like communication and problem-solving.
Another way of promoting friendships between different groups of students is moving them around. Adjust your seating plan regularly to ensure that all your students interact with and work alongside different classmates, to promote positive, friendly classroom vibes.
Friendship is a social skill that children need to learn – and you can help by teaching them. Be explicit about exactly what you expect from them. Saying, “Be kind” is an abstract, vague concept that children might struggle to put into practice. Instead, give them concrete examples of behavior, such as:
When you see a student engaging in these behaviors, draw attention to them and praise them.
But to really convey the importance of school friendships and kind behavior, it’s not enough to tell them. As the teacher, you must model the behavior you’d like to see in your students. Be consistently positive and upbeat in your interactions with students, thank your learners when they offer help with something, and try to refrain from sounding impatient (even when you are!). All these steps will help to build a positive classroom culture where students feel secure, supported and happy.
Conflict is an inevitable part of school life, but you can help students to navigate arguments and other difficult situations in the classroom. If two students argue, you can help them to resolve it with the following steps:
Following these simple steps teaches children a framework for resolving conflict and gives them the tools to process strong emotions.
An excellent way to promote a positive classroom culture is to do friendship-focused activities with your students:
You could do a Venn diagram activity, where students work in pairs to discuss and write down things they have in common and areas of difference. It’s good to pair students who don’t spend much time together for this activity.
Another positive activity is a 'Honey Roast'. Give students enough squares of paper to have one for each of their classmates. Get them to write their classmates’ names on the paper, and then, on the other side, write down a compliment or something they like about that person, for example, “I like your handwriting”, or “You always use kind words”. Collect the pieces of paper and read out some nice examples to the class. Alternatively, give them directly to the students to read to themselves.
