Carmengloria

Hey everyone, I just moved to Birmingham from overseas and I'm really struggling to understand people here. I thought my English was okay, but when I went to the Bullring shopping centre and asked a shop assistant for directions, I had to ask her to repeat herself like three times. It was so embarrassing! And don't get me started on the bus – I took the 50 bus to Kingstanding and the driver said something that sounded like 'yer wot' and I just stood there like a lost puppy. I'm loving the city so far, but the accent is doing my head in. Is it just me? Any tips for tuning my ear to the local way of speaking? I'd really appreciate any advice. Cheers!