Fwea’s Friendly Environment

Studying in foreign country can be at times lonely and well, sometimes it can really be boring too! That is why it is necessary to stay in a school where you can find comfort during your stay aside from the quality education you are looking for. Living in a school with a friendly environment can be so much help in your studying. Environment plays a vital role in learning. By this, I mean not just how big the classroom is, how comfortable the chair is or how big the building is. What I truly mean by comfort is if you can go along with people living the place.

 

In the school I am currently directing, First Wellness English Academy so far the living conditions here are fairly nice. All Japanese students get along with each other well – whether they are newly arrived students or senior students that have been staying for months already. There seems to be no conflict at all. The respect each other’s privacy at the same time they go out all together for dinner and drinks. There is absolutely no overpowering of each other instead I can see students helping each other learn  English and cope with loneliness. That’s something impressive about FWEA!

 

Right now, we have on Mongolian student which is welcomed by all Japanese students. There is no discrimination of races, not a bit. Cool, huh? About a month ago, we also had Korean-Japanese students are he was treated fairly by all students. Teachers as well do not give impartial treatment to students. All students are friends with teachers. Whatever race you have, it doesn’t really matter in FWEA.

 

It is also amazing how everybody can be friends in First Wellness English Academy. Age is just a number as they as say. The school proves it. We have students who are 61, 65 and late 50’s who goes out with younger students. There is indeed equality no doubt.

 

Everybody can be a friend at FWEA. If you plan to study in Cebu, choose a school that can also be your HOME and you can lively with a smile.

 

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

 

Study Tip: Write English in Facebook

One way to improve your English skill is to simply write English in Facebook  instead of  writing comments and posts in your mother language. Why? The explanation here is easy, it is still practice. But first we have to take into consideration that first, in Facebook, no one will correct your mistakes when you write English. This is a big disadvantage but on the other hand, but this is one freedom social media has given. Isn’t it smart to utilize this for you to learn English?

Comment in English

Post in English

Message in English

Chat in English

Learning a new language is lifestyle after all!

After you change your text in English, there are still other hidden ways you can learn:

Read photos with text in English. You can learn a lot from these small things.

Take time to skim short stories posted.

Take time to read posts in English.

Read comments in English.

Like Learning-English Fan Pages which can provide you practical learnin updates.

These are just simple ways to learn not inside the classroom.  You can learn on your own and if you have any questions about grammar from your readings, you can just ask your teacher. This way, you are not totally dependent on classroom input only but you are helping yourself learn English the way we live.

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

Study Tip: Make a Schedule and Stick to It

One of the most important factors in learning English is time you put into it. How much time you put into learning English or any new language would greatly affect your skills. Although it is not safe to say that the time you spent would correlate your English level, but spending proper time with learning English allows you to have a sense of control and focus. One writer I had talked to reminded me that in learning English “effort comes first, results later”.  This is what students should bear in mind to avoid frustrations.

Make a Schedule and Stick to it

Aside from regular class schedule, it would really help a lot if you make a study time. So, on your first day of class, create a schedule right away. Make a schedule that is REALISTIC and ACHIEVABLE. One of the most common mistakes of students learning English for a short period of time is to make a schedule that is almost impossible to achieve. I saw one of my previous student’s schedule as follows:

6:00 – 7: 00 Morning Class

7:00 – 8:00 Review

8:00 – 5:00 Regular Class with breaks

6:00-9:00 Night Class

9:00- 11:00 – Homework

11:12:00 – Self Study

NOTE: DO not overkill yourself!

Yes, we can all conclude that he is a very diligent and hardworking student but what about learning? You see, there is big difference between studying long hours and actually learning. And as human beings, do not forget that when your body is weak, it affects your reception to new inputs. Good health means good learning as well.

So upon making an achievable schedule, the next step is to stick to it. Studying abroad also means making new friends and sometimes these new friends you meet can either help you or distract you. I have seen a very strong peer pressure between friends especially among Korean students studying English in the Philippines. One friend wants to go out while you want to stay inside the dormitory and study. There is a tension here but all I can suggest is to know your PRIORITY.

 

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

English Learning Site: English Central

http://www.englishcentral.com

Learning English has never been easier than today. With the advancement of technology, with just one click, learning is possible.  One of the most common problem students are facing after studying English in Cebu is the moment they go back to their home land, they would lose all their chances to speak and practice what they had learned. So the learning would eventually become sedentary and inactive. As a result, frustrations starts to sink in again.

One remedy for this problem is to study online, with or without teacher. Classes in Skype are what is being used to connect the teacher and the student. In Cebu, there are several online schools that offers various type of classes depending on the length. One of the school that offers quality online classes is First Wellness English Academy (FWEA)  among others. For FWEA school, it serves as a continuiung program for those students who has already left the school here in Cebu and still wants to continue the lesson with their teachers.  So, learning is not ceased.

Another possible alternative to prevent sedentary learning is to study on your own. There are many sites available that is designed for self-study. This websites are created in such a way teachers are not needed in the learning process but rather students are taught to learn on their own with the help of the materials prepared online. Although technology would no way substitute a real human teacher, but taking into consideration time, money and effort, self-study is the only feasible choice.

One site the I recommend to enhance vocabulary and listening skills is www.englishcentral.com. This site is carefully structured to suit the needs of the students in all different levels. Videos come with subtitles for easier shadowing and reference. It can be repeated as many times as possible which I believe is the very very helpful. In addition to that, the topics of the videos are so varied from  entertainment to technology to business to politics. There is one for you! The videos are not boring and most of them are very informative when it comes to technical knowledge. I believe this site would really be helpful to those who wants to maintain their own English proficiency.  The site offers free trial classes but they do charge if you want longer subscription.

Tip of advice, use technology to improve your English.  There is always a way.

Thanks for reading.

Miss D

What To Do: On Your First Day In Cebu

Coming to a new place to study  can be very exciting, fun but at the same time worry and anxiety can start to sink in…

Do not worry. For many years, I have talked to students who are fearful, worried and scared whether they would achieve their goal or not during their short study period.  Be glad if you have this kind of feeling because that is NORMAL! It is something all students feel on their study. I saw many students trembling and even crying especially when I conduct speaking test.

As a teacher, here are my simple advice on what you should do on your first day:

1. Unload all your stuff from your luggage and arrange them right away. This will give you a sense of preparation for your school and your short stay in Cebu.  Arranging them would also make you feel organized. A room with no clutter is peaceful to stay and it adds peace of mind.
2. Prepare your school supplies. Although you do not know yet what your classes will be like, preparing the materials needed would signal yourself that you are ready for a new challenge! This is the kind of attitude needed for learning.
3. Meet other students. Be friendly and start a conversation with your “batchmates”or to other students who had stayed longer. It is almost 100 percent that they had felt the way you felt (tense and anxious) so they would be able to talk about coping and overcoming all the challenges.
4. As you open your luggage, open your mind as well. No place is alike. So, be open to Cebu’s new culture, new ways, new lifestyle and new life. Try not to compare your home country and Cebu because it would only cause frustration. Being open to new things in life is also opening to new learning.. and part of that learning is the English language.
5. Learn the system of the school you are staying in. For instance like the laundry, the curfew, the the level system, the policies of the accommodation and etc. By learning these basic things, it would reduce your anxiety because you would know what to do before unnecessary things happen.
6. Know the school surroundings and the city’s important places such as hospitals, health clinics, pharmacy, bookstore and others. This is necessary if especially you are going to stay for more than two months or so. In case there is a need for you to buy vitamins, pain relievers it would be so much easier to find your way.

Allowing yourself to adapt to new culture is a fresh way to start your journey in learning English. Remember that a language is a big part of a culture. You would be more receptive to learning English as you unfold your to ways of life.

I wish your journey in learning English would me a productive and meaningful one! Do not forget to create happy memories.