Monday, 19 August 2013

My English Language Learning Journey


  How was my English language learning journey? I have to admit that it was very tough as I born in a Chinese-speaking family. Since young, I can count my “English-speaking times” within ten fingers. All of my English teachers explain English grammars and writing skills with Chinese. In my secondary school, we seldom had oral exam, but mostly had grammar and writing exams. This is why I cannot pronounce English fluently and naturally. Although I watched some English movies and magazines to improve myself, I was always defeated by “Chinese-speaking” environment around me. Many a time in secondary school, my friends and I decided to speak in English, but we mixed many Mandarin words with English, and we ended up giving up.

  Few years ago, I travelled to Singapore with my family to visit my brother who studied here. My brother brought us around.That time, I got shocked by people who speak flowing English. I haven’t thought before that I will study in Singapore. However, all of these realised last week. Last week, I came to NUS and started my university life. I heard from many seniors that studying university is a fantastic journey in our life. However, temporarily, I don’t think so. My first week in NUS made me depressed and defeated. It is rather difficult for me to understand what the lecturer talking about and interact with my coursemates. Whenever I see people around me speaking in English, I feel envious but also stressful.

  “Setbacks are inevitable in our life. Worst environment will mould you into a stronger person.” This is what my mother told me when she knew my situation. I know I just need some time to adapt to this new environment, English-talking environment. However, I really cannot deny that there is some time I think to give up because I am really tired. Now, I just try my best to have positive thinking and affirmations every day.

  Up to now, I believe the path of success is thrown with stones and thorns. It takes perseverance and determination to pass through it. Hopefully, I can have a good and vivid experience of my English learning journey in Singapore. There will be a day I can overcome my language barrier and interact with my friends without gaps right? Now, please forgive me for my broken English.

5 comments:

  1. Thank you, Foo Eng, for this very open and honest reflection. Your ideas are generally clear and well organised. You also make a convincing statement about how hard it has been for you to adapt to the English-speaking environment of NUS and why that is the case.

    Frankly, I truly admire your bravery and perseverance. You are doing something that few people would be willing to do, that is, taking university courses in a "foreign language." But your mother is right. This will only help you develop strength of character. In the process, you will also learn so much and gain an enviable perspective.

    At the same time, I feel that your self criticism, at least about your English skills, is too harsh. You've done very well with this writing assignment. Even though there are minor language issues, they do not impede communication. I'm confident that you will do fine in this course and in your others. Please don't feel so negative.

    In the spirit of helping you to improve though, I have listed below some of the language areas that you might want to take note of:

    a) I born (verb form) >>> I was born...

    b) All of my English teachers explain (verb tense) >>>
    All of my English teachers explained

    c) confusion between use of plural and singular

    grammars >>> grammar

    oral exam >>>

    d) watched some English movies and magazines >>>

    e) Few years ago versus A few years ago

    f) verb tense

    I got shocked by people who speak flowing English. >>>

    I haven’t thought before that I will study in Singapore. >>>

    g) However, all of these realised last week. (missing subject)

    h) studying university (collocation) >>> studying in a/the university

    i) Worst environment (usage) >>>

    Thank you once again for the great effort. Let me assure you that, step by step, you will adjust to this environment and overcome all challenges. I can tell that you are highly capable. You simply need to have more faith in yourself and in what you can do!

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  2. Hi Foo Eng

    Thank you for baring your soul in this post. It is humbling to take a mere few steps in your shoes.

    I don't have anything to highlight as Mr Blackstone has gotten the gist of it.

    I would like to say to you that it is alright to be down but do not stay beaten. Things will get better as you work on it. This is only the beginning, so don't be dishearten. I hope this find you in good stead, thank you :)

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  3. Hello Foo Eng

    I think I have the same feeling as you when I first came to Singapore. It was really a hard time for me. Just like I mentioned in my essay, I could not understand what did the teachers said. Actually your language is quit good. The only thing you need to do is that be more careful about the grammar when you write the essay. I believe that you have learned most of the grammar in your secondary school, but as a Chinese specking person, we do not often use it. If you practice more, you will improve a lot.

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  4. Thanks Foo Eng for this honest post! It must have been difficult for you to adjust in a new environment, but hey, if others can do it, so can you! I really admire your optimism and perseverance. I believe that you will definitely succeed with these qualities of yours :)

    Anyway here are my comments on the language use:

    1) verbs
    - as I born in a Chinese-speaking family >> as i (was) born
    - All of my English teachers explain English grammars and writing skills with Chinese >> My english teachers (explained) English grammar and writing skills (in) Chinese
    - by people who speak flowing English >> (spoke)
    - I haven’t thought before that I will study in Singapore >> I have never thought I would study in Singapore
    - It is rather difficult for me to understand what the lecturer >> It (was) rather..
    - Whenever I see people around me speaking in English >> Whenever i see people around me speak in English
    - This is what my mother told me when she knew my situation >> This (was)..

    Other than that, thanks for the great effort in writing this reflection! I really enjoyed reading this post. I hope that we will have a fruitful and meaningful learning journey and let us all improve our english together! ;))

    ReplyDelete