When you reach your new campus in the United States, you will need plenty of opportunities to practice your English. Learning to speak English well can be a lot of fun, and most U.S. college students are more than happy to help. Be aware of when and how it is appropriate to practice and take advantage of these types of opportunities:

Listening to Native English Speakers
Naturally, the first step in learning another language is hearing it from a native speaker. In addition to those talking around you, pay special attention to actors speaking on network television in America, automated phone messages and prompts, and radio broadcasts. Since these recordings are intended to appeal to a wide audience, it is likely that their use of pronunciation and common phrasing will be easy to understand. Carry a notebook to keep track of words that you don't understand. Write them the way that they sound to you and ask an English speaker for their meanings later.

Some TV and radio channels are used specifically for conversation, so you might find those types of "talk" programs particularly helpful.

Speaking
You will find that most Americans are eager to help nonnative speakers practice their English skills. As soon as you find a few classmates or friends around whom you feel comfortable, practice your pronunciation as often as possible. Ask them to let you order pizza over the phone or ask for directions when you're off campus. These seemingly small opportunities can teach you a lot about the many dialects that can exist even within a small area of the United States.

Remember that because you will be sharing a campus with students from all over the United States and beyond, there will be those whose pronunciation sounds confusing to you. If you're comfortable with the speaker, ask them to clarify, or else ask a friend when you get a chance.

Reading
Take a break from your normal reading material every day to peruse international news Web sites like CNN.com or the Los Angeles Times that broadcast in English, as well as local news sites and your school's institutional site. This practice will help you not only stay abreast of current events, but also give you the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation with your instructors and classmates.

Writing
Although in this age, computers alleviate much of the responsibility of writing by hand, it is good practice to take written notes as often as possible. Whether you're writing a letter to a friend, creating a shopping list, or jotting down a bus schedule, hand-writing words in English will increase your attachment to them and strengthen your overall understanding of the language.