- I
started learning English when I was a JHS student, just
as everyone did. However, in my school, as a new system,
students could choose one particular subject that they
liked in addition to ordinary classes, so I chose
English. The reason was that, one-day in my childhood,
my mother showed me some pictures of her traveling to
the US before I was born, and told me her experiences
there. Then, although I was a little kid, I was very
impressed by them and began to have an interest in the
US. Since then, going to the US someday became one of my
future dreams. Anyway, my English learning history began
in my first English class with a surprising event that
was the most important key to my LLH. I remember that
clearly.
- I
was sitting at my desk and waiting for the teacher. The
bell rang and he came in the classroom. And after him, a
really tall big English man came in next. The moment I
saw him I shouted involuntarily “How big he is!”
Then he came toward me, grabbed my neck from behind my
back and said something like: “What did you say
boy?” I was really scared him of his sudden pressure
and afraid that I would be killed for what I had said.
However, I noticed that he wasn't really angry but just
pretending to be so. Then he smiled at me and said hello.
I could easily relax because of his joke, and I thought
English people were very interesting. That was my first
contact with foreigners. From that time on, I always
looked forward to the class and his funny jokes. In the
class, we always sang a lot of easy English songs and
enjoyed games. At the beginning of the class, my teacher
used to say: “only English no Japanese”. This was a
rule in the class. Moreover, the ALT used the word “Janglish”.
It was his own word which meant “don’t mix Japanese
and English like katakana in English lessons and being
careful about pronunciation not to be katakana sounds”
That’s why I was always careful about pronunciation in
order for it to not to sound like Japanese.
- One
more thing I learned from my teacher at that time was
the importance of studying a foreign language with the
intent to enjoy learning it, and not to just to study
hard. After I graduated from JHS I went to a HS that was
famous for its new modern system. Students there could
major in one of six departments and choose subjects by
themselves. I chose to major in English. I had two
memorable experiences there.
- The
first memorable experience was during my summer vacation
in the second year, I took part in the English summer
camp. We went to Chichibu, in the northern part of
Saitama prefecture with some English teachers and three
ALTs. Since every student who joined was highly
motivated I was able to be completely absorbed in
English for three days. We did many kinds of lessons
such as debates, essay writing, free conversation
activities and lots of interesting games. Also we had a
party using only English. I thought that these were all
very effective ways of studying English for me. I
don’t think I improved my English in those three days
but my attitude towards speaking a foreign language
became more positive.
- The
second memorable experience was the school festival in
my third year. I participated in the debate contest as a
member of my class’ team. My team didn’t win the
contest but I learned some important things through the
event. For example, I have to respond to what an
opponent said in a few seconds. Then, I have to
summarize my opinions in a few minutes for
counterarguments in debate. I think these abilities are
sure to be needed even in daily conversations in
English.
- After
I entered college, I found new ways of studying English.
I often go to the AV library and watch movies with
English subtitles. And I talk to myself in English and
listen to English songs more often than before I entered
the college. These are very effective ways to improve my
poor listening and speaking skills.
- Although
I haven’t decided yet about my particular future jobs,
I want to take part in the international society because
to communicate with people in other cultures and get to
know them are quite interesting for me. That’s why
English is essential in my life. I will keep enjoying
learning.