Macquarie University

My level of English before going to Australia was fairly good, over the general Spanish level in any case. I did experience some difficulty at the very beginning, mostly because most my encounter with the English language had been purely academic or in short touristy trips at most. But I coped pretty well, I think, and after a couple of months living in English (and Australian English at that) I did improve a lot, mostly because, aside from the classes, I took a job at a cafe which really helped me a lot in overcoming my shyness and finding a way to make myself understood. Even now, two years after coming back from Australia, I have a very good command of English and do miss the language everyday.

I usually communicate in local language to each other with international students and local students as well. I will try to practice my language through several social activities and talk with university's staff. During these years, I found my English is sufficiently improved.

At first, it feels like you are going back to kinder where everyone(even youngers) explains to you. However, you will be excited by you improving communication skills. Not to be afraid to speak was the crucial point for me.

I arrived with a pretty good level of English, but all my encounters with the language at that point had been purely academic or touristy short trips at most. I found some difficulties at the beginning, but could feel improvements within the first months. And I actually had no problems with the accent, as I had been warned might be the case.

local and academic languages were the same one: English. I would say that I learnt as much (speaking) socilay than at the university. Classes were excellent for writing skills

At the beginning it was pretty hard to understand everything, but with the time and the help of the local people, it has become easier and easier and finally at the end i was speaking very easily with everybody (professor, friends, academic staff and so on).