Name: Ikuyo Maruoka

Year: 1997

 

 

     My LLH started when I was twelve years old. I began to go to private English lessons. I often played games, or sang songs, or joined parties when it was Christmas, Halloween, etc. Thanks to the lesson, I came to have fun with English. The teacher was a nice lady who taught us kindly. Her English was also easy to understand even for me. I got interested in English and was looking forward to English classes in JHS very much.

     However, I was not content with English classes after I entered JHS. They were quite different from what I had imagined. Teachers spoke Japanese throughout the class, and then, we rarely spoke English. English classes were not interesting for me very much. Although I didn’t like English classes in junior high or HS, I still liked English and tried to get good marks on term examinations. By my last summer vacation in HS, I decided to enter this university. The reason why I decided was that I could learn "real" English and talk with native speakers in this university. I got in and I entered here with much hope in my heart.

     After I entered this university, I became surprised at a lot of things. For instance, we have to speak only English during OC or Workshop classes, or we have to write Action Log in English. Because I had never had such experiences, I was really shocked. But, I also felt happy because I could touch English so much. At first, it seemed very difficult for me to continue to talk with classmates in English. Almost all the classmates spoke really fluently, and some of them had overseas experiences. So, I became nervous about my English ability very much. However, I could find my English improving little by little and wanted to study English much harder. Gradually, I could also be excited during class. Now I think shadowing and summarizing are useful for improving my English ability. So I often try to shadow and summarize. I think my English ability improved. But I still have much to improve. For example, I can't write well and express what I want to say. I think it is because of my poor vocabulary.

     By the way, shadowing, asking, summarizing, and imitating the person you want to be like are good ways of language learning. I think the best way to improve English ability is having clear goals and positive attitudes. If we have some specific goals, we can take some proper action. Also if we have a positive attitude, we can get our goals closer to us.

     In the next three years, I want to go abroad and touch different culture because I have never been abroad. Maybe I can change myself through such a fantastic experience. I also want to have many foreign friends. When I talk to foreigner, I will speak as much English as I can.

     Then, I will give some advice to next year's freshman. Perhaps you are worried about your English ability or afraid of making mistakes. But, please don't be afraid and be positive!  Making mistakes is quite all right as your teacher tells you. I was also worried and nervous or even hesitated like you just after entering this university. You don't have to care much about your ability. You can improve your English if you try to do as your teacher tells you. Try to take a first step. Take it easy and try to do exactly as your teacher tells you. Then, "You can do it"!!