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Studying English as a second language can be a daunting task at first, but it’s a task that is full of rewards and successful career paths. When choosing a country to study English abroad, it’s very important to know the background of the country and the types of English programs each country runs along with its speciality. Typically, countries with a history of British colonization have very rich English programs with a diverse array of multicultural writers. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the USA are known as the best countries to study English, considering the courses’ quality, price, visa process, and versatility.
The UK
The United Kingdom stands out as the best country to study English, given its status as the birthplace of the English language. The UK also has the top universities for the language of the highest echelon, including Oxford and Cambridge. The immersive experience of the English lifestyle where students can experience the English drama theatres and explore the surroundings of legendary writers is a bonus to anyone studying English in the UK. The country’s literature has a very rich history and an immersive diversity of multiculturalism formed by colonization and immigration. However, the downside of studying in the UK is the expensive university costs and the complicated visa process.
Canada
The diverse set of professional opportunities available after study and the less complicated visa process make Canada an ideal country to learn the English language. Canada also has less expensive university rates when considering countries like the UK and the USA. The versatile English courses offered in Canada prove to be an education hotspot where any student can find the perfect course fit for their needs. Canada also has high standards of quality control regulated at a provincial level. Therefore universities in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal are ranked as the best in the country.
Australia
Australia is typically ranked in the top 5 countries in the world for higher education. The country also offers a fixed English course for international students called the ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students). While the basic course is comprised of general English knowledge, the advanced course consists of academic writing and advanced English literature. The cheap university rates, coupled with an economy tailormade for international higher education makes Australia a very diverse country with adaptable English courses in any level of higher education.
The USA
The United States of America is home to many globally renowned universities and boasts a vibrant student culture. The country’s status as the leader of the free world holds a very high impact on any student who studies English in the USA. In addition, the size and the diversity of the country make it a very likely place where a student can find a culture of his own while studying English. American literature also has a very rich set of writers, including Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Emily Dickinson and T.S Eliot.
Other notable countries include Ireland, New Zealand and India, given their rich diversity and notable authors. Most countries require a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) qualification score greater than 80 or an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score greater than 7.0