The Big 5
Language Learning History
My road of learning English is not smooth and easy. It is full of many ups and downs.
The Journey Began!
When I was a kid, I hated studying English and I failed my English tests very often. Even though I really wanted to improve my English, no matter how hard I tried...I just could not find a way to have fun in studying English. It made me very frustrated!
When I was a kid, I hated studying English and I failed my English tests very often. Even though I really wanted to improve my English, no matter how hard I tried...I just could not find a way to have fun in studying English. It made me very frustrated!
Turning Point…
Until I joined the school choir in Primary 4, my attitude towards English started to change. In the choir, I have learned a lot of English songs such as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. Those songs are easy to remember and fun to sing along. In order to make us empathize with the songs and to have better performance, my singing teacher carefully explained the meaning of the lyrics words by words to make sure that we could fully comprehend them. Also, she wanted us to pay attention to the pronunciation of words we sang. I always treated it as valuable English lessons. Not only I had learnt lots of new vocabularies and their pronunciation, but also I had made many friends from it. Although it's been many years, we still keep in touch and have gatherings sometimes!
Until I joined the school choir in Primary 4, my attitude towards English started to change. In the choir, I have learned a lot of English songs such as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. Those songs are easy to remember and fun to sing along. In order to make us empathize with the songs and to have better performance, my singing teacher carefully explained the meaning of the lyrics words by words to make sure that we could fully comprehend them. Also, she wanted us to pay attention to the pronunciation of words we sang. I always treated it as valuable English lessons. Not only I had learnt lots of new vocabularies and their pronunciation, but also I had made many friends from it. Although it's been many years, we still keep in touch and have gatherings sometimes!
Lucky Enough!?
I got a chance to study in EMI secondary school. It was such a dream for me. Because I always thought that my English standard was below average when comparing with my fellow students. That’s why I kept studying English very hard in order to catch up. In Form 6, I was selected by my class teacher as the MC of English morning assembly for every Tuesdays and Thursdays. I was responsible for introducing student speakers and preparing speech. Although I have been on the stage before, I still felt nervous at first. Because I thought that the responsibility was too big for me. Also, my English pronunciation was rather weak at that time. I was always afraid that my careless mistakes might ruin the assembly some day. Fortunately, it turned out pretty fine. My pronunciation has greatly improved since then. Also, I felt more confident about speaking in public now!
In fact, most of my English knowledge came from outside school activities!
TO LISTEN.
I remember that the first time I fell in love with English songs was in Form 3. There was a CD called “The Power of Love” being very popular. It consists songs performed by various famous singers like Celine Dion and Madonna. Because of curiosity, I borrowed this CD from my friend just to find out what makes it so popular. After several listens, I was completely addicted to it (Although recently I listened to it once again, I found nothing special about it anymore!). I could not get enough of the songs so I decided to find out more foreign singers I could listen to. Eventually, listening to English songs became my hobby. Such hobby greatly improved my English especially the use of grammar, vocabulary and listening skills. I like listening to a song while reading its lyric. I found that it is the most effective way to learn English. It is very relaxing and natural. I especially like rock and acoustic guitar music. Some of favourite bands and singers are Oasis, Radiohead and Anna Ternheim.
I remember that the first time I fell in love with English songs was in Form 3. There was a CD called “The Power of Love” being very popular. It consists songs performed by various famous singers like Celine Dion and Madonna. Because of curiosity, I borrowed this CD from my friend just to find out what makes it so popular. After several listens, I was completely addicted to it (Although recently I listened to it once again, I found nothing special about it anymore!). I could not get enough of the songs so I decided to find out more foreign singers I could listen to. Eventually, listening to English songs became my hobby. Such hobby greatly improved my English especially the use of grammar, vocabulary and listening skills. I like listening to a song while reading its lyric. I found that it is the most effective way to learn English. It is very relaxing and natural. I especially like rock and acoustic guitar music. Some of favourite bands and singers are Oasis, Radiohead and Anna Ternheim.
TO WATCH.
I always like watching movies in my free time. In Associate Degree Year 2, I have joined an interesting course called “Introduction to Film Studies”. This course taught me how to analyze film in different aspects, starting from its directing to its script. I started to watch foreign movies with English subtitle after attending this course. Because I discovered that some important messages would get lost if the subtitle is translated into Chinese and it will lower my appreciation to films. Through reading English subtitle, I have learnt a lot about language structure and grammar. Also, it taught me much about informal English and accent that native speakers used in their everyday lives. Some of my all-time favorite English movies are “Million Dollar Baby" ,“Thelma & Louise”,“Slumdog Millionaire” and "Cars".
TO PLAY.
Playing computer games was also one of the best ways for me to study English. I am always a big fan of adventure games. This type of games requires players to solve a series of puzzles in order to get to a higher level. (Not the type that containing lots of bloody and violent scenes!) Usually, they only got English versions. That is why I was actually “forced” to play these games in English. At first, it was rather difficult and annoying for me because I often encountered new vocabularies and I have to check their meanings from dictionary frequently. Luckily, I did not take much time to get used to it. When I got used to it, I actually experienced so much fun from it. Moreover, my English reading speed increased a lot. The first English adventure game I have ever played is called “Escape From Monkey Island”. It is a game introducing me to the world of adventure game. I played it when I was in Form 1. It is a very interesting game as its characters are hilarious and its storyline is excellent. I recommend all of you to play it! Other games such as “Dreamfall: The Longest Journey” and “Siberia” are also beneficial to my English learning.
TO READ.
I used to think that reading is the most boring thing in my life. When I was a little child, I often fell asleep while I was reading. If not necessary (for example, reading textbooks for revision), I seldom read books in my free time. Even Chinese books hardly stimulated my interest, not to say the English ones. It remains unchanged until I got an English novel as a birthday gift from a friend. The novel is “Confessions of a Shopaholic”. As I started reading it, I did not expect anything special. I read it just because I did not want to disappoint my friend. Surprisingly, this novel is intoxicating. Once I started reading it, I did not want to stop! I did not fall asleep this time. In fact, it kept me awake! I have never stayed awake at the midnight before just because I wanted to finish reading a book. Even though I did not learn much about English usage from it, I finally experienced fun in reading. It triggered me to read more and more English novels. Now, it already became a habit for me.
THE END?
For me, the best way of learning English is to seek fun out of it. Do not regard it as a task to finish, try to treat it as an activity you enjoy. Experiences which I have mentioned are just small parts of my English learning history.This journey is still going on and on...Only god knows when my story will end and where the road will lead me.
So, Now WHAT?
Anyway, I will cherish the opportunity of being an University student and continue to explore new ways of learning English. I know things in front of me maybe harsh, but I am always ready for challenges!
BRING THEM ON!!!
Here is the link to my blog.
Please leave comments on my LLH. Thanks a lot! :)
So, Now WHAT?
Anyway, I will cherish the opportunity of being an University student and continue to explore new ways of learning English. I know things in front of me maybe harsh, but I am always ready for challenges!
BRING THEM ON!!!
Here is the link to my blog.
Please leave comments on my LLH. Thanks a lot! :)
