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.