How Will A Nonnative English Speaking Be In College?

[Eevee]

I just came to America almost two years ago. I was a little bit older than the accepted age for High School, so I decided to attend an ESL program instead. My reading, writing, and grammar skills are fine, but my listening and speaking skills are not very good because I get nervous everytime I talk directly to native English speakers. I also have problems with working in groups because I'm used to being alone. I'm going to go to a university next year for my 4 years degree, but I'm so worried about being a weird or hated girl because I'll be the only one who doesn't understand as fast as others, or something like that. Are non-native speakers still welcome to colleges?

[Buenchico]

This website is UK-based, so there won't be many people around here who know the situation in US universities.

However here in the UK there are large numbers of university students from overseas (with most of them having English as a second language, rather than their native tongue). For example, 35% of the students at University College London are from overseas, as are 33% of those at the University of Essex. At the London School of Economics 43% of students are from overseas. They're all most definitely welcome and in no way thought of as being 'out of place'.

[Old_Geezer]

They are rather a long commute from the US though.

At university much of the student's learning comes from the private study they do between lectures. If you get in with a group of folk willing to discuss the lecture and confirm understanding the rest will be reading the recommended text books, checking up the subject in the library, doing examples or whatever.

I suspect if you make friends with those in a similar position to yourself then things should be ok. You won't be forced to talk (much) to native English speakers, but it'd be good for you if you did develop that ability. And practice makes perfect, as they say.

[Peter Pedant]

yes they are ( welcome)
and you will find a lot like yourself
have a good time

[potukoho]

Quite normal. As already mentioned, there are many students whose English is a second language and therefore they do not speak very well. I myself was so and once wrote on https://paperial.com about it. And in general, do not worry so much about the opinion of others. Just be yourself and you'll find friends who will not pay attention to how you talk.