By ZIEWEN LU
Staff Writer
Hold your breath because of a language barrier? Find your comfort zone while studying in English.
"Most students struggle with listening," says English as a Second Language (ESL) program co-ordinator Carolyn Ambrose. "But if your first language is Latin-based, then relax a bit. Considering the transferability of your mother tongue to English, it's easier for you to master English than for other students. Don't worry if your native language is not helping you."

Having registered from the beginning of Level 1, barely knowing any English and now communicating with people, Yoqoub Alasour, of Saudi Arabia, spent almost two year in ESL. He is enrolled in Level 5 of the program and attends two other regular courses.
Alsaour says he feels lost sometimes.
"I am still confused when it comes to grammar and listening."
Listening has always been one of the major difficulties among the students Ambrose agrees.
With almost 20 years of teaching experience, Ambrose sums up English learning tips. She advises students to find their favourite media, TV, radio or on-line movies. It's important if you can replay the show. If you keep listening to the same media a little bit every day, you will find the pattern of the show.
But have you committed yourself to improve your English study yet? Do you want to have proficiency in English?
"Start with the right attitude. Having that is the key to open you to the English community," says Ambrose.
Sayaka Nakajima, a student from Japan, strives to achieve high grades in her Early Childhood Education program. Dealing with medical terminology and facing a slight communication problem, she forced herself to get in touch with English every night. It paid off last semester with satisfactory grades.
With a positive outlook, Nakajima came a long way. "I try to learn new words everyday, so eventually I will get it [English]. My goal is to speak like a native English speaker."
The challenge, says Ambrose, for most students comes when they hang out with friends. They go back to their own language. Doing so makes it hard for them to improve oral skills.
Ambrose also recommended students participate in the social activities.
"If you are serious about learning English, you should push yourself beyond what is familiar to you. Our goal is to prepare all the students in a college academic level, but students must be dedicated to it."
Tao Zhang, a second-year Hospitality student at Niagara College, used to volunteer at the school gym and says it is a good environment in which to learn more English.
"I loved doing my job. I benefit a lot from doing that because I get in touch with English every day. Interacting with a native English speaker definitely helps."