Living Like the Locals
In order to fully embrace the American culture while living in Los Angeles, it’s important to find an activity you enjoy where you can participate with the locals! Here, Student Ambassador Yilmaz (Turkey) explains how playing “streetball” (outdoor basketball) helped him to improve his English:
The past few weeks, I was trying to find the best activity to help me understand and be a part of the American culture. Luckily, I just figured out an activity that I like, which also helps me to improve my English — streetball.
I just went to a park which is only 5 minutes walking distance from the school. Actually, I’ve already played many times at this place. However, I recently decided to start doing this regularly because after 2 months of being in Los Angeles, you feel like you should act more like a resident and less like a tourist.
Learning English Along the Way
I remember my first time playing streetball. Although I’m in a high level class in school, I couldn’t catch most of the things they were saying during my first game with them. They were speaking very quickly, and they weren’t saying some letters in their words. But, after some time, I got used to it. Their arguments about the game decisions, their overreactions to a simple block or point (to pump themselves up), their slang, idioms, etc… I really like hearing all of this on the court.
By playing streetball in LA, I am able to learn some unique English phrases, make friends who are very cool, and meet with guys that I expected to meet while dreaming about my future US experience — all while doing the sport that I like most.
I advise everyone to do things they like, where they have to be in conversation with local people. It is so beneficial and enjoyable.
— Yilmaz, Student Ambassador (Turkey)
Learn more about EC English Language School in LA
Post Edited By: Ashley Lee