Name: Rie Oohara                                                                                                                                   

Year: 1996

 

     I studied English and other subjects only for the test when I was in Junior High and High School. So I studied in the heart of grammar. The teachers said you should study not only tests but also conversation or watching English TV. But they were just talking. The situation in High School was harder than in Junior High School. Fortunately, I had some classes led by foreigners. It was fun, but some students said, "I want to study for the test instead of conversation classes.” In Japan, the quantity of information to remember is too much to enjoy studying. So I wanted to study conversation without thinking of tests in the university. Though I had learned grammar hard, it was in vain as long as I couldn't speak it from my mouth.

     I decided to speak positively to classmates, but when it came to it, I felt shy and confused.

     Here at university I was very surprised at my classmates who spoke so actively. It is natural for expatriate Japanese children to speak well. But I noticed there were some students who spoke very naturally even though they had never been abroad. I respected them as good learners. To be a good English speaker, I decided to do some important things.

     First, to be sure to do L. L homework by myself. Second thing is to do the action log every day. Third, I tried to make it a rule to speak English at home, and to sometimes listen to tapes which I borrowed from my uncle who is a High School teacher. I was sometimes lazy but I tried to do these things as much as possible. My scores did not improve in some classes, but I did not mind it so much. If I continue to try, I will become a good English speaker and the scores will also improve someday.

     By the way, I think one of the helpful things to improve listening ability is the NHK news. At 19:00 or 21:00, I sometimes listen to it. At first I could not understand almost any of it, but now I can understand more than the first time. The good aspect of listening to the NHK news or watching English programs is that it does not cost too much. I want to continue to do it even when I become a sophomore.

     Not only listening but also speaking is important. To improve my speaking ability, I planned to go to the Church near my house, even though I am not a Christian. There are so many foreigners and they talk to people who visit the Church. I went there when I was a child. But at that time, I could not speak English at all. So I hope to go there this year. Spring vacation is so long that I can go there. If I will not speak English for such a long time, I may forget it.

     During the next three years, I want to become friends with exchange students. Last year, I practiced a lot of listening, but I did not speak with natives so much out of the class. If I have some exchange friends, I can speak English every day. I should make use of the chances during the next three years. I also plan to take TOEFL test, but I do not think much of it.      The best thing I want to come true is to converse with foreigners in English on an equal footing to some degree. This is my goal.

     After graduation,  I hope to go to England or Scotland where I wanted to go since I was in Junior High School, especially to Liverpool (I like the Beatles very much!). Some students plan to go abroad while they are in college. I think it is good. But I will not go until my English ability improved. I am a little shy, so I will not go out if I can not speak well. To avoid such a foolish situation, I decided to study more in Japan first.

            Finally, I advise next year students to make it a rule to do their homework at least. And attend the class as much as possible. Not just attending, I want them to speak to friends actively. If they do not speak spontaneously, their ability will not improve. Don't speak Japanese in English class. The most important thing is having goals in the future. And also it is good to record the native teacher's lecture. I did not do this, but my friends did so and said "It is good." I recommend it. I hope they have a good year.