Name: Jun Niwa 

Year: 1996           

 

                                                                                                                            

     It was at junior high school that I learned English at first. I did not have any knowledge about English until then. I was more interested in writing than speaking. I enjoyed making new words. But I felt a limit. I could not make a good sentence. So I decided to learn the structure of a sentence when I was a high school student. I memorized even  complex sentences. Though it was very hard, it was worth doing it. I could improve my English. My English record was excellent. But it was only a paper test. I did not study speaking at all. I was too busy to do it.

     When I was in my third year in high school, I took a test including hearing for the first time. The result was wretched. But I had joy rather than sadness. I decided to learn English more in university.

     I live in the dormitory now. There are some foreign students. They are not good at speaking Japanese. So when I speak with them, I speak in English. It is a valuable experience. When I have a oral communication class,  I always speak with the same partners. It is comfortable. But it must not be effective. I should be brave and try to have various partners. I am an introvert. So it is very difficult. "Change myself. And improve my English." It is my latest slogan.

     Before I came to the university, I wanted to overcome my shortcomings. It was speaking. It is not enough even now. I should have done telephone homework more. But it is not too late even now. I want to try to do it during spring vacation.

     In university classes, I was surprised at a large number of good speakers. At first, I did not understand at all. I was impatient over my situation. I had to study hard. Especially, I heard LL tapes again and again. I improved my English gradually. But it is not enough. I must study harder.

     When I was a high school student,  I did not study speaking and hearing at all. I mainly learned them in university. I did not have any knowledge about them. So I started from zero. As for speaking, I learned it in this class. When the partners were good friends,  I could speak well. Because I was not afraid of mistakes in that case. But when the partners were strangers, I could not speak well. Changing partners is very important. I can touch various words and sentences. As to hearing, I learned it in LL class. I listened to the tapes again and again.

     At first, I was surprised at studying with music. I was taught that the most important thing was concentration when we study English. I do not know whether it was good or not. It is certain that the class with music was very fun.

     In addition, I was surprised at shadowing. It was very useful. I improved not only hearing but also speaking because of it.

     E-mail was also helpful. I could have contact with foreigners. It was a valuable experience. Though Action Log was troublesome homework, I could memorize many new words because of it. Though the Video Log was difficult homework too, I could check my pronunciation because of it.

     Of course I want to improve speaking and hearing. But it is not enough. Especially, I want to learn American culture. When I met a foreign student for the first time, I was in JHS. He was good at speaking Japanese. I forgot his name. I remember he was a great big fellow. He spoke of sumo and Japanese food eagerly. He must have studied very hard. I want to study with the aim of becoming a person like him.

     I will continue studying English next year, too. Especially, I want to read some books about American culture. And I always want to touch English. For example, when I go to school, I want to listen to the LL tapes. And when I get up, I want to try self-talk. In addition, I want to make foreign friends. When I am a junior, I want to go abroad to study. So I must save much money. So I will continue my part-time job. But I should not decrease study time for it. I am going to make a time schedule which is mainly study.

     Even though I am not fluent, I want to be able to communicate my thoughts. After graduation, I am not going to stick to living in Japan. I want to travel all over the world and want to live in favorite countries. The country's official language may not be English. But it is OK. I will start learning the language. Then mastering English must make me have confidence.

     I would like to give some advice to next year's students. Be positive. Speak English all the time. Do shadowing. Enjoy your mistakes. Relax with native teachers. Come on time to class. Make many friends in your classes. And, the most important thing is to help each other.