Name: Eri Ozawa         

 Year: 1996                        

 

                                                                                                    

     It was in sixth grade that I began to learn English. I went to a private English school. My class had only two students, my friend and I. We learned English by the story "Drippy." But then I wasn't interested in English very much because I wanted to play outside with my friends instead studying. So I learned little from the private English school.      Actually, I came to study English in JHS. My teacher told us to memorize whole texts, so I did. They weren't so useful for actual conversation because the way to use English was too formal. Moreover, my teacher's pronunciation wasn't good. I wanted to learn more useful ways to speak English.

     In high school, we mainly studied grammar because entrance examinations need grammatical ability. I also memorized a lot of idioms and phrases very hard. I was poor at reading, so I read a lot of short essays. But all I did was for the entrance examinations. I eagerly wanted to learn English conversation, so I went to the church where an American Christian taught me English. I could practice how to express what I wanted to say.

     At the age of seventeen, I went to Canada for a home-stay. Everything was so wonderful for me. During the home-stay, I hesitated to speak English because I was so nervous and afraid of making mistakes. When I couldn't make myself understood, I felt very depressed. I didn't know what I should say to them. After I came back to Japan, I decided to major in English linguistics because I was so chagrined at not making myself understood.

     Since then, I changed a little. I became so positive to speak English. But in my third year in high school, I lost the positive attitude because I had to study only to enter the university. I studied as hard as possible dreaming of a university life

     Thanks to my effort, I could pass the examination. I was so glad because I thought I would be able to learn practical English, especially English conversation I had wanted. I was full of a feeling of freedom from examination hell and expectation for a new school life in the university. But as I attended classes, I was getting depressed because I felt a strong sense of inferiority. Everyone seemed to speak English like a native English speaker. I was also surprised at a lot of homework that I couldn't handle well. I came not to know why I wanted to study English. Then as I talked with many people, I became relaxed by thinking I need not compare myself with others. I also thought I had many more possibilities to improve my English ability than others.

     Now I want to learn how to express my feelings and how to reply to what my partner says. I think rejoinders and talking in front of the video are so helpful for me.      The most helpful thing is that in class we spoke only English. I could improve my English speaking ability thanks to it. I think to sing English songs is a good way to learn English, too. As suggested, I often sang some songs in my mind on my way to school. I really like the song "When you want to be happy...." I could learn not only some words and phrases but also the way to be happy. I hope I can take such a good class again.

     In the next three years, I want to be able to speak English like a native speaker. In order to make it come true, I'll try to think in English as much as possible. I'll use the media and shadow some English phrases. I think the most important thing is to improve myself in many ways.

     I also have a plan to study abroad with the exchange program. These days I'm very interested in Asia, so I want to study in Hong Kong or Korea. I really longed for Northern America and Western Europe before I attended the university. But I realized that the reason I studied English was only admiration for the West. I think most Japanese yearn for the West. When I traveled to Europe this year, I made very good friends with people from Malaysia and Hong Kong. As I talked to them, I really became interested in their countries, and of course, in themselves.      I was very glad to learn English because I could make myself understood in English. I really realized that English was not only the language of native speakers but also an international language.      Since I traveled to Europe, the reason why I study English has changed. Now I study English to communicate with many people from various countries.

     I haven't decided what I'll do after graduation yet. But I like children, so I want to do a job related to children. I'm not sure, but I think it's a good job to teach English conversation to children.