{"id":4376,"date":"2022-08-16T16:16:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T16:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=4376"},"modified":"2022-08-16T16:17:09","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T16:17:09","slug":"3-reasons-moving-to-an-english-speaking-country-doesnt-ensure-fluency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/3-reasons-moving-to-an-english-speaking-country-doesnt-ensure-fluency\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Reasons Moving to an English-Speaking Country Doesn't Ensure Fluency"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many learners believe that living in an English-speaking country automatically makes you fluent in English. However, this isn't true. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, there are people who have lived in English-speaking countries for a long time who don't speak the language very well. In this post, we will explain why this happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason 1: You might not have a chance to meet locals<\/mdspan><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Learners often think that moving to an English-speaking country means being surrounded by English speakers at all times. However, this is not guaranteed for the following reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Because living abroad is difficult, you may rely on other people from your own country for help. As a result, you may spend more time with people from your country than with locals.<\/span><\/li>
  2. Your situation may make it difficult to meet new people. For example, if your work does not involve interacting with people (e.g. you work on a farm or in a factory)<\/mdspan>, you probably won't make many new friends.<\/li>
  3. If you attend a language school, the only native speaker you might meet is your teacher.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    So contrary to popular belief, moving abroad does not mean you automatically meet locals and master their language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reason 2: Even if you meet locals, your English might not improve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, even if you interact with English speakers every day, you still may not improve<\/mdspan>. There are a few main reasons this happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. You may not have many chances to talk to the locals around you. For example, if you don't have the same interests or hobbies<\/span> as the locals you meet (e.g. sports), it will be hard to have a conversation.<\/li>
    2. You might end up talking to locals about the same topics all the time (e.g. the weather). One study on learners who lived with local families<\/mdspan><\/a> found that their speaking and listening did not improve, because they talked about the same things every day.<\/li>
    3. Most people are too polite to correct your English, so you may keep making the same mistakes instead of learning from them. <\/li>
    4. You may encounter locals who are interested in learning your language. They may only want to speak to you in that language instead of in English.<\/mdspan><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      So you cannot expect to improve just because you are surrounded by English speakers every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Reason 3: You need to already speak English to benefit from living abroad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Many people think that living in an English-speaking country is enough to turn an absolute beginner into a fluent speaker of English. However, moving abroad too early in the learning process can actually hurt your English. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This is because low-level learners who are forced to<\/mdspan> speak English say things that are incorrect (e.g. \"Where bus stop?\" \"Credit card OK?\"), and over time, they get used to speaking this way. As a result, they often struggle to speak correctly later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      So when is the best time to move to an English-speaking country? As one linguist explains, intermediate learners benefit the most<\/a> from living in the country. Advanced learners improve too but more slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      So what do you actually need to master a language?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Mastering a language isn't about where you live. It's about how determined you are to reach your goals<\/a>. If you're determined to become fluent in English, you will find ways to do that, no matter the obstacles. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n