Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to share my experience of learning English with you.
Now I can write and speak English, although I cannot do it as well as Chinese yet . I am sure after few years as long as I always keep learning I will do much better than today. Because More than ten years ago, I couldn't even read 26 letters very well. I did not go to college to study English even not in high school. When I graduated from the middle school my father passed away. I am the first child in my family and I have two younger brothers and one younger sister. I had to stop my study and replace my dad's job to work in a factory as a worker so I could help and support my family.
In 1994, the factory was closed and I lost my first job. Then I attended a training canter to learn computer and accounting. In 1995, I got a job as a tax accounting in a firm. They needed a clerk who has a knowledge about computer applications and accounting. I was a suitable person for them. From then on, I firmly believe, the opportunities are always there for those who are prepared. I worked in that firm for nearly ten years until the firm was shut down.
In October 2005, I moved to Guangzhou from Nanchang. When I first came to Guangzhou , I worked in my brother's shop . I saw the sales-girls in the shop could speak English with the foreign customers. I envied them, also I wanted to learn English well and I know English is the most common language in the world and it has been used everywhere.....
I decided to learn English in March 2006, I had to study from scratch. That year I was 36 years old which was like a new chapter in my life. After more than half a year studying English, One day, my teacher told me, your pronunciation is good. She highly recommended me to teach beginners to learn “Phonetic Alphabets”. In fact That was a nice compliment about me and encouraged me!! To become a teacher was my childhood dream. But at that time I was worried that I knew very little about English.I was afraid the students would push me off the platform. Fortunately , I received the recognition of my students and they also enjoyed listening to my classes...Some of the young students liked to call me Helen Mommy....They are not only my students but also my best friends... My students gave me the highest reward for being a teacher. I really appreciate it!!
Through learning and teaching English, I have gained the most meaningful experience and the most valuable treasure in my life. I also have met so many lovely people like you.
In November 2014, I joined a twelve-week study tour program in England. I 've always wanted to get a chance to study abroad since I started to learn English. I thought the course was very suitable for me.
When I arrived in Manchester in England, I was living with the host family. On the first day of classes, I found so many students from different countries in the world. I felt so excited I could speak English and study with them. I can make friends coming from different parts of the world. The school's teachers were excellent and kind. I really enjoyed their teaching. What a wonderful thing it was to learn English with the British teachers and I passed the exam and got the Course certificate and reached a level of B2 at EF International language centers, Manchester.
During the study period, I visited many beautiful cities and places, such as: York, Liverpool, Birmingham, Nottingham, Cambridge, Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Dublin (the capital city of Ireland). I visited local museums, memorials, and some tourist attractions, and so on. I learned many new things about the West. My oral English has improved a lot. I felt like a young lady again. I recorded my experiences in UK. I kept a daily diary. I really enjoyed spending every moment in UK. I wish I could publish my diary into a book someday. If I can, let more people know about the study tour and also share the most exciting experience of my life with all of you.
Now, I am still learning English. At the same time I have always enjoyed teaching English. I know that there is still much beautiful scenery waiting for me to find and pursue in this never ending learning path of life.
