Had it not been for my crazy decision to be in the world of media some years ago, I would not have realized the importance of being able to deeply understand and learn English. Having grown up in an environment where everyday offered an opportunity to hear English, I thought that my command of the language was good enough. Hearing the music playing on the stereo (remember those big Akai stereos with the am/fm receivers, cassette tape player, and the turntable?), watching the evening news in black & white, as well as the popular tv shows like “the A-team”, “Charlie’s Angels”, “Wonderwoman”, “Batman” provided me with a constant supply of new words to discover on a daily basis.
I thought I was good in English, and that I was good in speaking too having mastered my self-introduction just before I was four years old, and having mastered a few nursery rhymes as well. Fast forward to when I was 15, an age where ones’ confidence fluctuates, a life-changing event struck me. During one training session for fm dj’s at a local radio station, I was judged the last. Worst of all, I was labeled a bore. Not you’re usual boring guy, but the extra special bore in the group. I was so boring that the sun would hurry up to set in the west just so it wouldn’t hear my boring thoughts. You can imagine how embarrassing that moment was. Truth be told, it was the worst day of my teenage life.
On the contrary, what I didn’t know was that that event was a pivotal moment in my life. It made me realize a lot of things and the most important of which is that I must do everything that I can to become better in English. Learning English, as most may say, is never easy especially at the beginning when your confidence is at its lowest. It was the same for me. But just like you, I couldn’t give up or tell myself that I have learned enough. Learning English was a daily activity for me, and it remains being so today and tomorrow. Yet, unlike before, learning it has gradually become not as difficult as I thought it was. It’s easier now. Learning it is a long process but the pay-off is certainly rewarding. From my experience I dispense this advice: Never stop learning. Read English, listen to English, think English, and speak English every chance you get. As a proverb says, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Learn English but don’t be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Remember that awareness is a good thing.
My profession as an online English teacher gives me the privilege of sharing the learning that I have had over time to other learners. It has also given me the chance to learn from my students, my partners in learning. I would love to share and to learn with you too. Speaking of sharing, my next entry will be about some of the ways that helped me improve my English skills. Make sure you got your pen and paper ready. Till then! Thank you for reading.
I thought I was good in English, and that I was good in speaking too having mastered my self-introduction just before I was four years old, and having mastered a few nursery rhymes as well. Fast forward to when I was 15, an age where ones’ confidence fluctuates, a life-changing event struck me. During one training session for fm dj’s at a local radio station, I was judged the last. Worst of all, I was labeled a bore. Not you’re usual boring guy, but the extra special bore in the group. I was so boring that the sun would hurry up to set in the west just so it wouldn’t hear my boring thoughts. You can imagine how embarrassing that moment was. Truth be told, it was the worst day of my teenage life.
On the contrary, what I didn’t know was that that event was a pivotal moment in my life. It made me realize a lot of things and the most important of which is that I must do everything that I can to become better in English. Learning English, as most may say, is never easy especially at the beginning when your confidence is at its lowest. It was the same for me. But just like you, I couldn’t give up or tell myself that I have learned enough. Learning English was a daily activity for me, and it remains being so today and tomorrow. Yet, unlike before, learning it has gradually become not as difficult as I thought it was. It’s easier now. Learning it is a long process but the pay-off is certainly rewarding. From my experience I dispense this advice: Never stop learning. Read English, listen to English, think English, and speak English every chance you get. As a proverb says, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Learn English but don’t be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Remember that awareness is a good thing.
My profession as an online English teacher gives me the privilege of sharing the learning that I have had over time to other learners. It has also given me the chance to learn from my students, my partners in learning. I would love to share and to learn with you too. Speaking of sharing, my next entry will be about some of the ways that helped me improve my English skills. Make sure you got your pen and paper ready. Till then! Thank you for reading.
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