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Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience with English, this guide will help you get ready for your English study abroad journey at 3D ACADEMY.
Some students believe they should “wait until they arrive” to begin studying. While that’s possible, even just a few hours of preparation can make a huge difference in:
Boosting your confidence on day one
Making placement tests easier
Understanding teachers more quickly
Making friends and communicating from the start
Getting more value from your one-on-one classes
Remember: The goal is not perfection. The goal is to start getting familiar with English again.
If you can’t speak any English yet, that’s okay—many students at 3D ACADEMY start from zero. Here are some simple ways to prepare before you arrive:
Practice the English alphabet and basic phonics (A-B-C sounds)
Apps like Duolingo ABC or YouTube phonics songs are great for this
Learn how to spell your name in English (useful for immigration, check-in, etc.)
Hello / How are you? / I’m fine, thank you
What is this? / How much? / I don’t understand
Please / Thank you / Excuse me / Can you help me?
You can download a phrasebook app or write phrases on flashcards to review daily.
Watch English videos with English or Japanese subtitles
Listen to short English podcasts (slow speed)
Try “EnglishClass101” or “BBC Learning English: English at the Movies”
The goal is not full comprehension—just getting used to the sounds.
If you’ve studied English before (in school, at work, or through self-study), focus on refreshing and activating your skills:
Subject + Verb + Object
“I eat breakfast.”
“She studies English.”
Present / Past / Future simple
Common prepositions (in, on, at)
Question words (what, where, when, how)
Books like “Essential Grammar in Use” or free online grammar sites like Perfect English Grammar are great tools.
Focus on words you’ll use in daily life at school or in Cebu
Food, shopping, transportation, emotions, numbers, time, body parts
Use spaced repetition apps like Anki, Quizlet, or Memrise
Set a goal: Learn 5–10 new words per day and use them in short example sentences.
Choose short dialogues or videos
Listen, then repeat out loud with the same rhythm and tone
You’ll improve both listening and speaking fluency
Try videos like “Real English Conversations” or YouTube: Speak English with Mr. Duncan
Studying before your trip is not just about vocabulary or grammar—it’s also about your mindset.
At 3D ACADEMY, nobody laughs at grammar errors. We celebrate effort and progress.
The more you speak, the faster you learn. It’s okay to say things wrong—as long as you keep trying.
Even 10 minutes a day of English can create momentum.
Use your commute, lunch break, or bath time to:
Listen to an English podcast
Write 3 sentences in English
Say aloud what you did today in English
Consistency beats intensity.
Ask yourself:
Do I want to pass a TOEIC or IELTS test?
Do I want to speak confidently in everyday life?
Do I want to prepare for working abroad?
Your answers will help you and your teachers customize your classes once you arrive.
Here’s a curated list of beginner-friendly and intermediate-level tools:
Tool | Use | Recommended For |
---|---|---|
Duolingo / Duolingo ABC | Vocabulary & grammar | Beginners / casual learners |
Anki / Quizlet | Flashcards with spaced repetition | Vocabulary retention |
BBC Learning English | Listening / grammar / news | Intermediate learners |
YouTube: Speak English with Mr. Duncan | Listening / pronunciation | All levels |
Phrasebook apps (e.g. Bravolol) | Survival English | Complete beginners |
Grammar books (“Essential Grammar in Use”) | Grammar review | Lower-intermediate level |
You don’t need to use them all. Choose 1–2 and make them a habit.
Even motivated students sometimes prepare in the wrong way. Here’s what not to do:
It’s easy to fall back into “textbook mode” and forget about speaking.
Grammar is important, but practice speaking and listening too.
You don’t need to be fluent. That’s why you’re going abroad to study!
Perfectionism leads to frustration. Aim for progress, not perfection.
Students who don’t review even simple phrases often feel nervous on Day 1.
Even a little review gives you confidence and comfort.
Even if you do very little before coming, don’t worry—our teachers will guide you step by step.
At 3D ACADEMY, we offer:
One-on-one lessons every weekday
Beginner-friendly classes using gestures, visuals, and slow speech
Patient teachers who have worked with complete beginners
Staff who speak Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, to support you as needed
Many students say they felt a “breakthrough” in English after just 1–2 weeks.
✅ Step | What You Can Do |
---|---|
Learn basic grammar or review daily phrases | 10–15 minutes/day |
Get used to English sounds with listening practice | Videos, podcasts, shadowing |
️ Speak out loud—even alone! | Daily self-practice builds confidence |
✍️ Set your learning goals | Why are you going? What do you want to achieve? |
Be mentally ready to make mistakes | Mistakes = growth |
Studying abroad is one of the best ways to improve your English—but a little preparation before you leave can make your journey even more rewarding.
Even 1 week of pre-arrival practice can:
Reduce your fear of speaking
Help you connect with classmates faster
Make your first classes more enjoyable
Save time in adjusting to your new environment
Start small. Stay consistent. And come to Cebu with curiosity and courage.
We’ll take care of the rest.