Kerala, the state with the highest literacy population, and Chennai, which is not so far behind, have several aspirants who want to study abroad. These students want to gain global exposure and make the most of their higher study plans. They also seek guidance from education consultants in Chennai and Kerala for details about the various nations offering study chances to Indian students. However, sometimes they choose countries where people speak their native tongue. So, they should be aware of ways that can help adjust to that culture.
What is a Language Barrier?
A language barrier is a communication gap between people who do not know the same language. They are not able to apprehend the meaning of what is said. This usually occurs when people belonging to varying settings come together. It is also a common case for South Indian students who go to countries like Germany, Austria and more.
Following are a few types of barriers that students usually encounter.
Types of Language Hurdle While Study Abroad
Most of the time, when non-native speakers use a language, they translate it in their heads and then say it aloud. It might sometimes become quite frustrating. As per the education consultants in Chennai and Kerala, the same thing happens with learners who move to other countries for higher studies. Other than this, sometimes they do not understand the local language completely. It may create some problems for them when they want to interact with others. The following are two types of hurdles that South Indian scholars usually face:
Academic
Chennai’s experts and study abroad agencies in Kerala say that this is a barrier, which is quite rare in the case of abroad students. The reason for this is that most of the subjects in colleges are delivered in English. On the other hand, colleges also require learners to go through English expertise tests. It is evidence that they can comprehend the instructions given in English.
Social
This is the most common type of barrier that students come across when studying in a country where people speak their dialect. Other than that, South India’s study abroad students also feel left out because they are not able to converse in their native speech. They start shying away from the social gatherings on the premises and mostly keep to themselves. This can have an impact on their health and studies. Therefore, the following are some of the ways in which they can climb over this language wall.
How to Overcome the Language Barriers?
According to education consultants in Chennai, students choose colleges due to the quality of their studies and costs. The abroad experts from Kerala also agree with this. For example, in Germany, not everyone speaks English. However, studying abroad is still a choice because of the high-ranking colleges and easily securable grants. Students who face this kind of situation need to know how they will adjust to life there. These are some steps that might come in handy for them.
Language Skills
it is a suitable way to deal with language problems. Students can start by learning simple words and phrases that can help them in their daily lives. They can also listen and watch movies that will help them to get familiar with the dialect. It will also look good on their resume in the future.
Support Groups
The South Indians need to remember that they are not the only people dealing with this problem. Several learners are going through the same. NGOs and other groups help study abroad students who find it hard to adjust to new settings and cultures.
Make Friends
Making friends with the local students will help you improve your language skills. Along with that, make friends with global learners too. This will allow you to converse with them and share some of the stress of having the same problem.
Use Gestures
When you are still learning or if you are stuck, you can also use hand gestures and actions to convey to the other person. These will help you get through the initial phase of dealing with a new dialect as a study abroad student.
Online Tools
There are various mobile apps and websites that the students can use to learn a new language. Along with that, you can also use a translator when you are not able to speak or understand what is said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, students should not get worried and stressed while facing language barriers. The experts from study abroad agencies in Kerala believe that these hurdles can be easily overcome with a little patience and some effort. In addition, even students in English-speaking nations might also come across language issues. This can be due to local dialects or cultural differences. Furthermore, students can also get help from consultants like Gradding, who have expert counsellors to help the students in their time of need.