Name: Tomoyuki Ogawa                                                                                                                       

Year: 1996

 

    I have learned English grammar mainly in JHS and HS. I studied only for going on to college. In JHS I came to like English. And I longed to become an English teacher. My English teacher made me curious and I studied for an examination war. When I was in HS, I also enjoyed studying English particularly. I was satisfied with winning a competition. When I look back over the JHS and HS, I see I had the opportunity to find something I am interested in. I spent my JHS and HS days meaningfully.

   In the this class, I asked someone what I could not understand until I understood. And I tried to understand the contents class. That was helpful because that reduced what I could not understand gradually. And that led to my confidence. Besides, I found my role models, and I acted like they did. I asked them the way of language learning. They were very helpful for me. From now on, by doing so, I want to polish up my English. In the second semester, I was interested in the understanding of foreign language, and I lowered my goals. By doing so, I made my goals the one I could achieve easily. I raised my goals too. For example, because the understanding of foreign languages is vague for me, I make it my goals that I will get a fine score on TOEFL.

    When I changed my partner in class, I often had the same partner as I did before. I think it made my view narrower. My teacher said that the best partner for you may be other learners who are at your approximate level. But I think it is also important to have various partners even if they are not at my approximate level. Besides, I was tired from playing American Football, so I could not do my assignment and I was late for class sometimes. The combination of American Football and study is not only my task but my goal.

    I was expecting that I had to study by myself and I would be able to study freely. I thought I could enjoy my campus life. I thought I would be able to learn what I want to learn. But the reality is a bit different from what I was expecting.

    There are more small classes than I expected. I think it is very good. Furthermore, there are many foreign people. I think it is great! When I entered university, the range of acquaintance is smaller than HS. I was surprised that there are some interesting teachers.

    I have improved my ways of language learning in a good sense. At first, I learned to solve my problems without a dictionary. Also I had many opportunities to touch English, that is, I came to think in English. But I wish to increase those opportunities from now on. Second, in daily life, I listened to English. For example, I listened to English music and watched movies. I think that was the way of language learning with fun.

    In learning language, I found the use of shadowing is really helpful. I have never thought of this in my HS days. My teacher recommended it highly. Each of my classmates thinks it helpful. I want to make better use of shadowing. That will polish up my English. And I also found it helpful to make mistakes. I could know the good points of making mistakes after I had entered university.

    I have many areas that I want to improve. I want to be more positive toward language learning. Sometimes, I think I can not approach my goals in my present state. I want to increase the opportunities to meet foreign people. Furthermore, I want to finish my homework as soon as I can. I was apt to depend on my classmates. So I want to establish a sense of independence. But I think that it is important that I do homework with my classmates' cooperation. I think the combination of American Football and study is a matter of a importance. But with a long view, I want to improve my ability to speak and listen to English. I think it is high time that I thought about my future specifically. By the time I get out in to the world, I want to see various things and grow up mentally.

    I want to make my next three years a matter of great significance. I am going to achieve my goals one by one. With the combination of club activities and study, I am going to do my best in my studies. I think I will meet many difficulties, I will try to do my best. I want to do something about which I can say “I did it better than anything else.” All this while, I have given my parents some troubles. I must repay them. On the other hand, I met a great sport, American Football. I have grown mentally and physically. I think those are also true of language learning. I am going to learn language while practicing American Football. And I could be a regular of the team. So I think I could play in a good environment. Our team got the promotion to first division. That is one of my best memories. Every day I was exhausted from practicing. And I was awarded the New-Star-Of-the Year-Award. I will continue to make an effort.

    From now on, I will continue to think in English. In the life process, I want to discover new goals. I will take classes positively, studying for TOEFL tests, seeking the opportunity to touch English in every day life. These are my future plans. By the time I graduate from university, I hope I can speak English fluently. After graduation, I will find a good job and work. I can lead a substantial life every day.

    I would advise that you, next year's first year students, try to understand the content of classes in detail. Be on time. Come to all classes. Make your goals the definite one. Make a plan for those goals. Please do shadowing and do not be afraid of making mistakes. It will be one of the ways that you will succeed.