Learning English for me was not easy. I started learning English in first grade but I moved to a new school then, and then again 15 other times!!! Crazy, right? I went to public schools, private schools, and subsidized schools. So my English really didn't improve throughout school life, I would say it remained at the same level. Then when I got to university I thought at first it wouldn't be such a big deal since we are surrounded by English vocabulary, so I felt quite close to the language but... Once I got there(UMCE) I realised that in spite of being at a place where most of the students would come from public education, many already knew a lot. So it was a rough start. It was very hard because from day one we were supposed to read books and have conversations but I never had to do that at school, I always had the verb to be and did and regulars and I was good at that, so I didn't think studying English would be that difficult, I assumed we would start from there but no.Speaking a new language does not happen fast, especially if you live in a place where English is not the native language. On the other hand, reading books, especially English literature such as; Jane Austin without even knowing the basics, is just excruciating. In order to succeed I became a very autonomous learner, I photocopied hundreds of grammar exercises and I started listening a lot of English, particularly films and songs. Although I don't think listening or grammar are my strenghts, I think my self motivation is. In terms of weaknesses, I would say I'm not a very good reader or listener, mainly because it is difficult for me to focus or pay attention to things I'm not really into. Anyway I'm extremely proud of my accomplishments and I'm looking foward to improving much more :)
I think your life experience is enlightening for us as you are a clear example of "intrinsic motivation". The fact that you were commited to your learning from the very beginning demonstrates the great maturity you had in facing and solving different problems. You have accomplished a great deal so far, but you had to overcome a difficult situation.Now my question is, if you had the opportunity to go back in time, would you change the way you learned??
ResponderEliminarThanks Bernardita! Interesting question, I think I would have taken more risks, participating in classes more, without feeling ashamed of not knowing. On the other hand, I think I could have been more consistent too, that means, having a specific amount of time dayly to study vocabulary and grammar.
ResponderEliminarHi Leyla!!
ResponderEliminarAs I was reading about your experience I began to remember the way I started to be interested in learning languages in general.And I think that the motivation we can have to learn can overcome many difficulties we may encounter.I agree with you when you mention that the geographical situation of Chile doesn't help us to be totally immmerged in their cultures which sometimes are very different.The same as we notice here in South-America with Spanish language may happen with the English language. It is interesting to know that despite these difficulties we were able to learn English as a foreign language. But in your case you have done a great job!!.
Wow Leyla! really hard. But I think that you are the best example of how motivation can help to reach your goals. It must have been very hard try to understand and read books, but I think that, what you learned in school helped you in any way, perhaps not as you would have liked it, but it means that your learnings were very "strong"
ResponderEliminartwo interesting points here, geographical location and reading. I think future Chilean learners are going to benefit from new technologies that are changing the way we live and learn, they will have lots of new communication opportunities in virtual classrooms.
ResponderEliminarThere is a great book by Krashen called The Power of Reading. I think reading books and novels is a great 2nd language learning aid. However, I think it's most effective when it's individual and for pleasure. Other types of reading like skimming and scanning are different and can be developed in the classroom in lots of interesting ways. What do you think?