- Name: Marie
Sugihara
- Year: 2004
-
- Two
years in the UK
-
- I
loved English from the time of my childhood. I felt good to speak English
when I was in kindergarten even if the phrases are very simple, for
example “Hello my name is Marie, how are you?” or something like that.
- I
think my English learning history has started at that time and was
affected by my parents. My parents were sometimes using English just like
“Good night” or ”Good morning”. Repeating using English make my
great curiosity arouse, so I usually ask them “How to say this in
English??” I was interested in English, but my parents never forced me
to study English. I think that is why my image to speak English has been
always enjoyable.
- When
I was in fifth grade, I had the chance to live in England. I had lived
there for two years. Of course I chose the local school. When I was in
Japan, I felt little confidence just because I could speak English more
than others. However in England, my confidence was broken down easily. I
couldn’t communicate with others and was shocked with the different
culture. There were kindnesses, discrimination, and many other things.
Through the experience I learnt many important things either good things
or bad things. Then I realized that when you speak another country’s
language, it is important to know the culture. Others who you speak to are
kind so be aggressive to speak. When I was came back to Japan and went to
the local JHS, my English skills declined quickly because I didn’t know
how to have a chance to speak English in normal days. School English
wasn’t enough to keep my skills up. With that and trying to get used to
a new place made my curiosity to explore English disappear. But after I
belonged to the drama club, the teacher of the club gave me a chance to
use English in plays. The teacher helped my skill expand. I became eager
to learn English. From then, I used scripts of drama or movies to study.
It is really interesting because I can know the grammar and feelings at
the same time.
- In
high school I hated grammar and I thought I didn’t need it for my
English but it was wrong. I could realize that the more I understood
grammar, the more my English improved.
- After
entering the university, I could meet friends who love foreign languages,
especially English. We share our knowledge and help each other. I expected
to become a good English speaker. Then I changed my way of learning. I
used to run away from what I’m not interested in. But now, through the
classes, I realize that expanding my fields of English is really good to
improve my English. So now I’m taking many different classes that I
wasn’t interested in before, for example, English for current events,
especially politics and economy. I was surprised that there are many
people who speak very well. Everyday is exciting. Everyone has their own
words so it is nice to exchange ideas. Sometimes I become lazy, but then I
ask others about their dream in the future. It makes me try harder again.
A friend who I met in England, she is Chinese and when we were together,
she also couldn’t speak English. But she is now a medical student in
London. She always tries hard and now she is making her dream come true.
Her effort always encourages me. I want to use English as a tool in my
future work. My goal will be making my dream come true with my English.