One of the biggest advantages of studying at SEDA College isn’t written in any textbook. It’s in the hallways, the cafeteria, weekend activities, and the friendships you build with people from 70 different nationalities.
If you know how to take advantage of this environment, your English will improve much faster than in any classroom. But how do you do this in practice? That’s what we’re going to show you now.
Understand what makes SEDA different
When you arrive at SEDA, you find classmates from Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Italy, South Korea, Thailand, and yes, Brazil too. And here’s the key point: the only language you all have in common is English.
This creates something rare and valuable: a real need for communication. You’re not practicing English because the teacher asked you to.
You’re practicing because it’s the only way to connect with the people around you. And it’s precisely in this natural pressure that the language really begins to flow.
Sit next to someone different every day
It seems simple, but sitting next to someone different every day makes a huge difference. In the cafeteria, in the study area, before class starts — choose to sit next to someone of a different nationality than yours.
You don’t need to force a long conversation. A simple “where are you from?” already opens doors. People at SEDA are usually in the same boat as you: wanting to practice, wanting to connect, a little nervous and very curious.
You’ll discover that the broken English of two people from different countries understands each other very well, and this is one of the most authentic ways to learn.
Participate in the school’s social activities
SEDA has a calendar of extracurricular activities designed precisely to create these moments of connection outside the classroom. City tours, cultural evenings, cooking workshops, visits to tourist attractions — all of this is an opportunity for real practice.
In these moments, the context is already given. You are in motion, exploring something new, and English becomes a tool, not an objective. The conversation flows more naturally because no one is “studying.” Everyone is living.
Avoid the all-Brazilian group.
This is the hardest advice to follow and the most important. It’s natural to seek comfort in those who speak the same language, especially in the first few days. But if you spend most of your time outside of class speaking Portuguese, you’re wasting the richest immersion environment there is.
This doesn’t mean ignoring your Brazilian classmates. It means creating a personal rule: outside of class, English. Even if it’s difficult. Even if you make mistakes. Especially when you make mistakes because that’s when the real learning happens.
Use the SEDA Social Club.
SEDA maintains an active Social Club, with groups and meetings designed to mix students from different classes and levels.
It’s a space without the pressure of the classroom, where the goal is exactly that: to meet, talk, and create memories with people from all over the world. Keep an eye on school communications, follow the Social Club profile, and say yes to invitations, even when laziness strikes.
Practice English as a tool, not as a goal
The biggest turning point in language learning happens when English stops being the objective and becomes the means. Not “I’m going to practice English now.” But “I’m going to meet this person, I’m going to understand this culture, I’m going to tell this story”—in English.
SEDA already provides you with the environment. You just need to choose, every day, to immerse yourself in it. Want to live this experience? SEDA College has open classes in Dublin and Cork, starting every Monday. Talk to us and take the first step!
