Thoughts on…

Topic.  how to learn English -> no -> how much I have been struggling trying to learn English.

When I came up with the idea to hold a group session like this, it ended up value propositioning to the participants, you.
We are going to do presentations for next months. What I proposed to you was simple message – that you can get an opportunity to use English and get used to it. The only condition is your willingness. I never expected passion. Willingness is enough to go with this precious chance.

So, I thought my first presentation should cover  my experience on learning and getting used to English, worrying about my reputation getting hurts after this.

When I was a kid, my parents gave me many opportunities for learning English. When I was 3rd grade of elementary school, I was sent to a building, actually in my  memory it was a room which was decorated with bunch of English educational papers around. I remember I had no idea at that time. All I could do was watching a small TV playing Sesame Street. A kid, a poor kid was just looking at it but didn’t try to listen to or understand it. It was boring. I didn’t need it at all. My parents had to give up after purchasing a set of video collection only for decorations for years.

Time flies. And it did.

When I was 6th grader, I was give some pressure that I will probably find obstacles when I encounter new world – English in middle school.  My parents came to save me this time forgiving me disappointing them the other day. Anyway. This time, the choice was 윤선생 영어교실. It has pretty unique system to help students learn English and that was making a call to every students very early in the morning like.. 5:30 AM or 6:00 AM. As you can imagine what’s going to be, it was very annoying sound ringing breaking a peaceful sleeping time. I must pick up the phone before the first ringing was off. The content was mainly focused on the text book. So, it ended up me getting good score in English exams for years.

When I was 2nd grader in high school, I had a goal. let’s say, it was an objective. I made up my mind to go through all the available English books in the market , I mean, literally all English text books published and available to me. At that time, it was allowed to discount the price of the book and book procurement market was in heavy competitions. So I could buy a new one when I finished one. And.. I did. I went though every single published English text book for high school students at that time. There’s no 문제집 left for me at all.

So I thought that’s it. I stopped learning English. And disaster began.

When I was between the jobs, I decided to go to the U.K. for vacation visiting my cousin studying there. It was first time to visit the U.K. and I experienced a lot. I thought I was good at English but I couldn’t understand what they all were saying at all. It was like pounding my head real hard. Second blow was hit when I saw my brother talking on behalf of me to the clerk at the station in British accent which was looking gorgeous – even though I was aware that he’s like native speaker. During my staying in London I wished I could live there and it would be great experience in my life. But I was pretending understand what others saying and I was NOT understanding at all. Not a chance to a poor boy.

Until that time, all I did was to find that English is required to do what I want to do and most importantly, I was not prepared for.

A year later after traveling Europe, I got an opportunity to actually work in the U.K. as a software developer. When it comes to English and living alone, it was just from scratch, I mean I felt that I started ground up at my age of 28..

So here comes what I came up with to improve my English at that time.

1. Listening to Radio.

Almost 24 hours. Happy moment.

2. Watching TV series.

more than 10s of them. Fun.

3. Talking alone.

Intonation, accent and more. Understand or you cannot do. Practice, or you cannot do.

In addition to this, I believe this kind of event can help us keep up with English. We may get more comfortable feelings when we practice in this way.
And you don’t need to go through all the obstacles as I have.

So, I look forward to seeing you achieving your goal with English  with this entertaining event and also looking forward to seeing you find better way to your ultimate goal if I’m allowed.

Thanks.