Name: Miho Kato

Year: 1997

 

 

I started to learn and study English when I was a first year student in JHS. In my JHS, I memorized sentences and paragraphs and even whole stories from the textbook, because my teacher said that to memorize them was a good way to master English grammar. And Also the teacher said that to memorize was convenient if we forgot to bring our textbooks.

     After I entered a HS which specialized in English education, I had to study English much harder than before. I, however, went on memorizing my textbook as my way to learn English. To tell your the truth, it was very hard work and not fun. That is why I came to hate English.

     So I was puzzled when I was deciding my major for university. But I thought that English will be useful in the future, because English is an international language. So in the end, I chose English.

     I was very surprised to see the classes in university. I imagined that the classes in the university took place in a large room and teachers lectured  in front of us using a loud speaker. But it is not true. We have lessons in a small classroom and there are only 20 students. We could make friends easily because we enjoyed juggling and speaking English a lot together, so we can talk to each other without being afraid. For these reasons my stereotype about learning English changed.

     I found that it is very fun to talk to many people, not only Japanese but foreigners. So English or any language helps me to communicate my feelings clearer even if I cannot express it very well.

     In our OC class it is more important for us to speak more and more and to have no silences. Therefore, we do not have to be afraid about grammar. If I make mistakes, especially in grammar, our teacher and classmates help and correct my mistakes. We have improved each other by sharing our knowledge and courage.

     I think that to have fun is the most important thing to learn and improve our English because when we speak and learn English, if we do not have fun or enjoy talking, we won’t want to do them so our English abilities won’t  improve. Therefore, it is very important for us to enjoy English.

     I was expecting to speak English fluently before I came to Nanzan, at least the English we use in daily life. And I had hoped to get a lot of chances to speak to foreign people. But I found that we must make the opportunities. We have to be active and positive. Otherwise we cannot master English. Only waiting for something to happen doesn't work.

     I have changed my way of learning greatly. First I memorized textbooks or grammar. But now I talk a lot and ask many questions about one topic, and I can continue talking with no silences, and without being afraid of mistakes. In addition, shadowing is a good way to learn English. By shadowing, we can memorize and understand well what people say. If we talk to foreigners we can learn more grammar and effective pronunciation. Furthermore the more we shadow, the higher our listening ability is.

     My goal after graduation is to speak English fluently. I'm going to make specific goals, for example 10 points higher on the LL test and Michigan test or speaking a lot without silences, every week for the next three years in order to achieve my goal after graduation.