my journey in learning english essay

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My English Learning Journey

I have been learning English since I was around 10 years old. Everything I was taught at school were tenses, verb conjugations, plural rules, complex grammar,… Every day my teacher required us to memorize new words by writing them down 10 times. Learning English was always a challenge for me. I got sick of vocabulary, of grammar rules, of English. And then one day, when I was probably in grade 10, my parents decided to buy me a computer. The computer has become my best friend ever since. I was amazed at how wonderful things were. The world has become a smaller place and people has become closer to each other. I could learn whatever I wanted without any help from others.

I began to listen to music, and watch TV shows. The first TV show that I watched was Hannah Montana. The TV show was just hilarious. I had picked up quite a lot of vocabulary from the show and it has become a memorable experience. It was also when I happened to fall in love with the language. I remember back then, I downloaded numerous English songs to my iPOD and listened to them everyday. I discovered many websites where people from all over the world exchanged languages and cultures with each other. I had made a lot of foreign friends there and sometimes we talked long hours about everything in life. In the first place, I thought the only reason why people learned English was to communicate with each other.  Not until did I immerse into the language that I realized the very language was the best way to create a strong bond between me and the endless knowledge of the world.

I could see a significant improvement in my English skills. And thanks to English, I have learned much more about the world around me. The journey towards language fluency is not always easy and I still have a long way to go. I don’t, however, give up on it. I enjoy the journey that I’ve been through rather than the destination ahead. If you don’t know where you are, if you’re not sure what to do next, just do whatever you love. If you are struggling with learning English, then let it be! Watch movies and laugh hard, read books and think thoroughly, play games and relax.

“Never let English limits limit your world!”

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My English language journey – Jose’s story

About my English language journey

I found similarities between English and Spanish

During these last 6 months in London, in order to enhance my English, not only did I discover the huge wealth of English grammar, but I also found out a large number of similarities between English and Spanish. This helped to encourage my learning. For instance, no sooner had I arrived at the Heathrow airport than I listened to a native speaker talking with his friend, stated “to strike while the iron is hot”. I still have to recognise I did not understand at that moment what the meaning was.  Having learned this meaning, I gathered that both English and Spanish speakers are prone to use proverbs or sayings to emphasise our ideas.

Looking back on previous years, many memories come to my mind, for example, I felt an inferiority complex owing to not being able to overcome my fears to speak and listen to English language well enough, despite being acceptable at English grammar. It was absolutely frustrating and dispiriting being unable to engage in meaningful conversations, namely at the dinning table of my house, where I live with a native speaker. However, little by little, I was getting used to it and as the saying goes “practice makes perfect”.

Most inspiring place in London

Eternally grateful to my school

Should I be eternally grateful with another fact of priceless value in my learning, it will be my English school, The English Studio. There are several reasons I am grateful. Firstly, most of their teachers are willing to share their knowledge and experience in a friendly, warm and clear way. Besides, they promote the respect of religious freedom and freedom of speech. Secondly, students from other countries can swap information about our nations and learn more about our cultures. Finally, the multiple social events organised by the school helped improve in my English skills considerably.

In conclusion, as Gandhi once said “Be the change you want to see in the world”, and as far as I am concerned, this journey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has changed lots of aspects of my life. In addition to this, learning English would allow me to reach one of my biggest long time goals, which is to be able to give speeches in international medical conferences.

Nevertheless, it is unreasonable to expect to be perfect so soon, even though I am on the right path and I am hugely grateful for the opportunities that London opened for me.  Long Live London!

José Carlos Alvarez Payares

Jak se stát krásnou živou ženou? Nebo – co je stejné v mužském porozumění – jak se stát centy milenců? Všechno je jednoduché. Musíte se ponořit – ani pod přikrývkou, ale v mozku – a zvážit skryté pod tloušťkou části vody ledovce. Pokud víte, co se mu líbí, je čas zjistit, čeho se bojí a co je váhavě řečeno.

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For one, it will improve your economic chances in the world. If you are an average or below-average employee with mediocre skills who have not studied English abroad, your job availability might be limited in certain countries or industries where people do speak English and a degree in language may open doors for employment that otherwise would remain closed to you.

My English Language Journey

Language learning is one of my lifelong aspirations. In fact, a few years ago when I had nothing to do with making money whatsoever and was just hanging out in tourist-dense cities while working as an English tutor, I realized that maybe I would have better luck spending a year or so abroad learning some languages, In addition, I had to consider the fact that I was never really good at languages. At the time, I knew some Spanish and French, but no other language (and certainly not English). My first experience with an intensive language course was when I studied Japanese for two years in high school and college.

English learning journey Today

My English Language Journey as I continue to experiment and read books on learning languages. Based upon the authors’ success stories that I’ve read over the years (and my own personal struggles), it looks as though immersion programs are based on the most efficient ways for people aspiring towards mastering a particular language or subject matter at an expert level. In other words, each individual has their own aptitude which determines how effective they will be with these types of teaching methods.

English skills, types of English speakers, what I can teach you to speak other languages as a teacher, How to speak other languages in a few sentences learn other languages quickly, If you want to learn French, German, or Arabic I have 5 great books. Topics: How do people learn another language? ways professionals are learning other languages faster., Seven categories of how people speak and what this says about the path that they took in their personal development as an individual., If you’re interested in becoming fluent fast with English at night while working full time according to your busy schedule., Ways to learn a language in less than 10 minutes.

My first experience at learning English at school

1-The best way to learn a language is through immersion methods (e.g., living away from the mother tongue for many months)

2- Having English to at least “B1-” level or equivalent (i.e. you could get by without any tutoring and be understood if communicating in an emergency situation).

3- To save grammar and vocabulary the first time – then only expand once you know it.

4- If a person wants to give up on learning other languages, or has already stopped – most adult students can’t learn new vocabulary and grammar properly at the start of their language course (second) time.

5-The pronunciation of the first (only) time you learn an unfamiliar language will be poor. This can impact your ability to be understood on a daily basis in less than 3 months if it’s not worked on properly; so even though you might have reached “B1-” You won’t really sound like that with any accuracy, or safely anyway.

6-Speaking a foreign language is hard, much harder than it sounds. We don’t realize that until we’re there and have been studying for a long time but still get frustrated. The goal of many people (consistently learning to speak) is not “to sound like the person they think they should sound like.

7-The long way to learn English is listening to tv shows or native speaker reading materials, which is especially good for those who want to start speaking English.

5 Great English Books for Beginners

1- Is this woman trying to convince you into buying a new hair-do? Learn 100 words in English. No, really!

2– I’m just not interested in this kind of book for beginners… but yet it’s amazing. *review by one reader*

3– “Worth its price”. The pithy language and amusing analogy playing on their subjects possess the rare ability to make even seemingly trivial statements grippingly memorable.

4- It always amazes me when people manage to pick these up in a little over 2 months and know the basics of English so well as if they had been working on it forever. He’s taken his time and practiced hard This is what you should do, too!

5– A book without pictures or diagrams might seem boring, but this one is not quite that way. It can be adequately described by saying: “Lots of pictures with a little text.”

Why the English language is important in our life?

The English language is important in our lives for several reasons:

Global Communication: English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It serves as a common language that people from different countries and cultures can use to communicate with one another. This is crucial in today’s interconnected world, especially in business, diplomacy, science, and international travel.

Access to Information: A significant portion of the world’s information, whether it’s on the internet, in books, or in academic journals, is available in English. Proficiency in English allows individuals to access a vast wealth of knowledge and resources, which is essential for education, research, and personal growth.

Education: English is often the medium of instruction in many prestigious universities and educational institutions worldwide. Proficiency in English is crucial for students who want to pursue higher education or participate in exchange programs abroad.

Career Opportunities: In many industries and professions, having a good command of English is a valuable asset. It can open up job opportunities and enhance career prospects, as many multinational companies and organizations use English as their primary language for communication.

Cultural Understanding: Learning English can provide insight into English-speaking cultures, including their literature, music, movies, and values. This can foster cross-cultural understanding and help individuals appreciate and respect diversity.

Travel and Tourism: English is often the lingua franca in the tourism industry. Knowing English can make traveling more comfortable and enjoyable, as it allows individuals to navigate through airports, hotels, and tourist destinations with ease.

Internet and Technology: A significant portion of the internet is in English, and many technology-related terms and concepts originate from the English-speaking world. Proficiency in English is beneficial for using and understanding technology, software, and online platforms.

Global Business: English is the dominant language in international business. Many international contracts, negotiations, and transactions are conducted in English. Proficiency in English is crucial for anyone involved in global business or trade.

Personal Growth: Learning a second language, such as English, can enhance cognitive abilities, improve problem-solving skills, and boost self-confidence. It can also open doors to new experiences and opportunities, leading to personal growth and development.

Social and Cultural Integration: In countries where English is the primary language, proficiency in English is essential for immigrants and newcomers to integrate into society, participate in community activities, and build relationships.

In summary, the English language plays a vital role in our lives by facilitating communication, providing access to information, enhancing educational and career opportunities, fostering cultural understanding, and enabling personal growth in an increasingly interconnected world.

My journey of learning English, why it is difficult for most?

Learning English is a challenging journey, Because it is a complex language, with many irregular verbs and especially spoken English. But that difficulty is complimented by its flexibility as well as being able to use so many words in everything you do – make your life better!

The new language the road to English is paved with obstacles. Websites, like the one you are on right now, [informal] makes learning and practicing easier by breaking down new language into small chunks while they provide hundreds of examples so that anyone can learn how to use the word or phrase successfully in whatever purpose it serves – often in widely divergent situations which traditional texts fail at and games do not present.

In short, to learn English you need to know how to learn. And that is where we come in. There are many of these learning guides, which is why I came up with this website myself. We will be adding more resources to it over time. Some have already been added, but aren’t completed (such as the vocabulary lists) because some information about them was taken from elsewhere or simply not available for whatever reason.

English language learning will allow you to communicate effectively with people from all over the world, making travelling a lot easier and helping you to learn more about different cultures. The importance of English language can be seen in almost every aspect of our lives. 1

How do I start my English learning journey?

• Set clear goals for learning English.
• Assess your current English proficiency level.
• Choose a learning method (e.g., classes, apps, videos).
• Build a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
• Practice regularly and consistently.
• Expand your vocabulary daily.
• Listen to and speak with native English speakers.
• Read and write in English.
• Join English language communities for support.
• Set achievable milestones and celebrate your progress.
• Seek feedback for improvement.
• Be patient and persistent in your learning.
• Immerse yourself in English as much as possible.

How to my English language journey?

• Set clear goals.
• Assess your current level.
• Choose a learning method.
• Build foundational skills.
• Practice regularly.
• Expand your vocabulary.
• Listen and speak with native speakers.
• Join language communities.
• Set milestones, seek feedback, and be persistent.

How can I track my English language journey?

To track your English progress:

• Take regular assessments or tests.
• Keep a language journal.
• Use language learning apps with progress tracking.
• Record and review your spoken and written English.
• Set and achieve language milestones.
• Seek feedback from teachers or language partners.
• Monitor your comprehension of English media (e.g., books, movies, news).
• Compare your current abilities to past performance.

In conclusion , the English language journey is not just a process of learning a new language; it is a transformative experience that opens doors to a world of opportunities and connections. As we’ve explored in this article, mastering English has become an essential skill in today’s globalized society. It enables us to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, access a wealth of knowledge and information, and pursue international careers. Moreover, our English language journey is not merely about words and grammar; it’s about cultural exchange, personal growth, and building bridges between different cultures.

References:

• 6 reasons why learning English language is important | TLG Blog . (2021b, September 27).

My Journey Of Learning English

According to a famous Chinese proverb, a journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step. (Lao Tzu). I have embarked on a journey that began in September 2020 to improve my English proficiency, because I failed the ELPT examination. I discovered depressing stories about the Foun-1019 course by some past students which made me anxious. Consequently, I felt discouraged because the course started on a rocky road with no clear destination, but the journey promptly began to make sense as circumstances improved and my pathway began to be manageable to travel. I ultimately got a new teacher by the name of Miss Tereka Brown, because the previous class was overcrowded, she is a very patient lady and has the skills to make the English Language seem simple to manipulate. Furthermore, my classmates were pleasant to work with, and they made our sessions entertaining. Our classes were held every Monday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with our seminar session taking place the first hour which entailed summary, critical reading, writing, and compression skills, then our lab sessions that lasted for the next two hours which dealt with grammar. I looked forward to attending the classes as I began to absorb a lot especially in areas where I did not pay attention before, such as proofreading my work. However, two areas that stood out most for me were identifying grammatical errors and ways to improve my reading and comprehension skills.

While on my journey, the first sojourn which is the most memorable event will be focused on grammatical errors. Previous to this Foun-1019 course, I seldom offered ample attention to my grammar, nor did I proofread and revise my work. My attitude has changed because I now look out for comma splices, tense shifts, run-on sentences, etc.  My creative skill is not only limited for school purposes, but I practice it in my everyday activities like reading a book or writing a text message. The proofreading and edition logs have proven to play a vital part in my improvement as it helps to reinforce the use of correct grammar and tract to see if I am improving or if I am creating the same grammatical mistakes. An example from my proofreading and editing log featuring tense shift, taken from my third reflective piece, “In high school, students were allowed to select their subjects ‘base’ on their career choice”. I have changed the word ‘base’ to ‘based’ because the sentence is talking about the past, therefore the word needs to be in the past tense form.

The second stop on my journey is relatively important as this is where I have learned how to critically analyze paragraphs, determine the tone of the author, whom the author is writing to, the intention of the author, and how to write better summaries. This skill has aided me to summarize articles and books that are vital in conducting good research for school purposes. In addition, comprehension skills are essential to get across what one intends to say and to comprehend what was read. My favorite summary was the article by Michael Abraham as it spoke about the working conditions and unfair treatment of the nurses in Jamaica. I uncovered it to be informative as I am entering the said profession. Before Foun-1019 much attention was not given to analyzing articles but now that I obtain in school this skill has proven to be enormously helpful. 

Completing my journey, I now conclude that Foun-019 semester one has remained a pleasant experience, despite initially being scared. Thanks to my lecturer and classmates that made the experience wonderful, with no doubt my sense of identifying grammatical errors and improved reading and comprehension skills this course has been beneficial in many ways. All things considered, it was an educational and fulfilling experience, I look forward to continuing and improve my English Proficiency next semester.

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Learn English with Maria

English courses & lessons

Written by Maria Fernandez

My journey to English fluency

Today I want to talk to you about my journey to English fluency.

The story I’m about to tell you shows you how I had to learn English the hard way, just like you, mostly with courses and teachers.

I didn’t have an English-speaking parent, and I didn’t go to an English school. But what I did have was the determination to learn as much English as I could.

Here’s my story:

Have you ever seen your dreams come true?

As a child, I fell in love with travelling. I dreamt of going to faraway* countries, meeting fascinating people, and seeing wonderful places.

But, above all, I dreamt of speaking in foreign languages in those wonderful places.

To escape from my Spanish-only world, I would stand in front of the mirror and pretend to talk in English. Only, it wasn’t English at all, just some silly* sounds I’d invented.

In my young mind I kept wishing I could speak English.

SEE ALSO: Maria’s English courses .

I knew it wouldn’t be an easy task*. If all I had was my school lessons, becoming fluent in English was going to take me two lifetimes.

But “it’s impossible” wasn’t an answer I was willing to accept, because I wasn’t going to let go of* my dream. Ever.

So I decided to embark on* my own English learning journey.

Learning English has taken me to the most amazing* places, and has allowed me to live a wonderful life.

Thanks to my dad.

He was the one who set the ball rolling* when he bought that irresistible English course.

I simply loved those lessons where you followed Mr Smith, the main character, from his London home to his office. You heard him talk to his clients on the phone, shared his lunch, and went to the pub with him.

Every evening, after school, I’d go to places with Mr Smith without leaving my bedroom.

That course was thrilling* and totally addictive.

I didn’t know it then, but I had just discovered the secret to mastering a language: I’d made my English lessons an essential part of my life.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The secret to mastering English is to make your lessons an essential part of your life. #LearnEnglish” quote=”The secret to mastering English is to make your lessons an essential part of your life.”]

What made it even more exiting was that my sister got hooked* too, and mum.

I’m sure to the outside world we looked like a bunch of nutters*, but to us it was a window to a new world.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Learning English with Mr Collins

Because of their work as academics*, mum and dad needed to keep up their English. So, over the years, we had a number of private tutors; some were great, others less so.

The one I liked best was Mr Collins, who reminded me of my fictional Mr Smith.

Mr Collins was polite, clever and impossibly patient. I must have been about twelve when he first came to our flat in Madrid.

I remember I was sitting next to him at the study table. He took out a little book full of humorous stories, and asked me to read one out* to him. I shook my head.

– “No way*. I’d rather die than speak English in front of him”, I thought. In Spanish.

He smiled and read it out loud himself.

From what I remember he didn’t speak much Spanish. He’d talk to me in English and I had no trouble understanding him. But for several weeks I didn’t open my mouth, I just listened.

Eventually dad said that perhaps those English lessons weren’t such a good idea after all. Perhaps he should ask Mr Collins not to come back anymore.

That’s when I started reading the stories to my patient tutor. It was hard, but not as hard as saying goodbye to my English lessons.

PLAY: Play Maria’s free English pronunciation lesson .

Travelling to England for the first time

It was around that time that my parents decided we should all put our English to the test*. So, for two summers in a row*, the five of us got in the car and drove from Madrid to Folkestone, in the south of England.

We visited London and Canterbury, went to the beach, bought English toys, drank fresh milk, stared at the bobbies*, and practised our broken* English with the locals.

Then, over the years, there were other teachers and language courses. But what I remember most vividly is sitting down for hours in my room, learning on my own.

I still had such a long way to go. There were so many things I couldn’t do in English.

Literature was my true passion, but reading my favourite books in another language felt like a distant dream.

And then, one year at school, my English teacher encouraged me to read an abridged* version of A Tale of Two Cities, the Dickens novel.

Reading a whole book in English was a magical experience, even if it was abridged.

That was the first of more than a thousand books I’ve read in English ever since.

Reading books in English

I can clearly remember the first “real” English book I ever read.

Dad had a large bookcase in his home office. It was full of all kinds of titles, many of them in English. One day I decided to try one. I browsed* the shelves and picked The Great Gatsby , the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

I’m afraid I didn’t choose it because it was a masterpiece*, I didn’t know that at the time. I chose it because it was only 150 pages long.

I’ve read The Great Gatsby on several occasions over the years, and I often wonder just how much I understood that first time. But what I do know is that its opening lines made me fall in love with English literature, and I’ve never looked back.

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.      “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

from The Great Gatsby , by F. Scott Fitzgerald

For me, those memorable lines are a poignant* reminder of the head start* I was given in life.

I was lucky to be born in a family that values education above everything else. Because with education comes knowledge, and with knowledge comes freedom. Freedom to live the life of your dreams.

When the time came to go to university, everyone assumed I’d do an English degree, but the syllabus* looked boring to me. So I chose History instead, and spent an unreasonable amount of time studying English between History lectures.

Soon I got curious about other languages. I started doing German and French. My sister was studying German too, and we often had our course recordings playing in the background in our bedrooms.

Mum would stand in the corridor, muttering* that our home seemed to have become the Tower of Babel. She didn’t sound unhappy about it, though.

My bus journey to uni* near the centre of Madrid often took a full hour, so I always made sure I had an English book with me: The Old Man and the Sea, Alice in Wonderland, Animal Farm, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The Third Man, Pride and Prejudice, Three Men in a Boat, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, King Lear, Robinson Crusoe, To Kill a Mockingbird …

I read so many wonderful books on that bus.

When I think of those titles, I flip their pages in my mind and relive their stories. It’s like carrying a private library within me.

Moving to Scotland, my new home

When I finished my History degree, I applied* to the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, to do a Master’s in English Literature.

After all those years studying English I was now going to spend twelve months of my life reading. Reading literature, the thing I love most; and reading it in English.

It was the biggest reward* I could dream of, and a magical year.

After finishing my Master’s degree I made two big decisions that I’ve never regretted.

First, I chose to stay in Edinburgh instead of going back to Madrid. And then I decided never to work for someone else. I wanted to be independent.

So, instead of looking for a job, I set up my own business as a translator and language teacher.

Translation turned out to be disappointingly dull*, and I soon dropped it. But I became passionate about teaching. For me, every new student is an opportunity to change someone’s life forever.

Over the years I’ve shifted* my language lessons from the real world to online. That has given me the freedom to travel the world with Simon, my English husband, a Professor in the Linguistics department at the University of Edinburgh.

We share a passion for language, cycling and hillwalking. Together we’ve been to faraway* countries, met fascinating people, and seen wonderful places.

When I look back, I see how the English language has opened a door for me to another universe.

It’s given me a different way of seeing people and the world; a different way of talking about human emotions, history, food, life, and even the weather. And, I hope, it’s made me a better person.

As I write this in English, I can feel how much richer my life has become with a second language. But I wouldn’t have got here on my own. My journey to fluency was made possible by Mr Collins and my other teachers.

And, just like they guided me, I now wish to guide you through your journey to English fluency.

Play Maria’s free English pronunciation lesson

Do you know these 29 English words?

To help you expand your English vocabulary, here are the definitions of the 29 words I’ve marked in this post with an asterisk.

Most of those words have several meanings. Below I’ve given you the most relevant definitions for this post.

• to abridge : to shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to condense.
• academic : a member of an academy, college, or university.
• amazing : very wonderful.
• to apply : to make a request; to make an application; to solicit.
• bobby : a nickname for a policeman. From Sir Robert Peel, who remodelled the police force.
• broken : imperfectly spoken, as by a foreigner.
• to browse : to look leisurely at the goods displayed.
• dull : uninteresting; tedious; cheerless.
• to embark : to engage, enlist, or invest in any affair.
• faraway : distant; remote.
• a head start : an initial advantage in a competitive situation.
• hooked : devoted to, obsessed with.
• to let go of something : to release one’s hold on something.
• masterpiece : anything done or made with extraordinary skill; a supreme achievement.
• to mutter : to utter words indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed.
• no way : never; under no circumstances; absolutely not.
• nutter : an insane person.
• poignant : affecting or moving the emotions.
• to put something to the test : to find out how useful or effective something is.
• to read something out : to read aloud.
• reward : that which is offered or given in return for some service or attainment.
• in a row : in succession; one after the other.
• to set the ball rolling : to initiate an action.
• to shift : to transfer from one place to another.
• silly : foolish; witless; simple.
• syllabus : an outline of the subjects of a course of lectures.
• task : any piece of work.
• thrilling : producing sudden, strong and deep excitement.
• uni : (colloquial) a university.

MARIA FERNANDEZ

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Get into English

ESL Online English Teacher

“My Journey Of Learning English” – Guest Post

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The first special guest post this year on Get Into English is by Ira, who has been fascinated by English for many years. By sharing her journey, I hope you will be able to relate to her story and perhaps take away some hints on learning:

I’ve always liked the English language. I first started learning it at school when I was just 11 years old. It was the first time I fell in love with it. The teacher was very inspiring, and even though I was just a little kid I somehow knew that whatever I would end up choosing to do for a living, it would certainly be something related to English.

My First Job Related To English

Three years had passed when I was invited to work with the same teacher at his private school. As I couldn’t afford to pay for the classes, he offered me a job as a secretary in exchange.

I was just 14 years old and really excited about the possibility of attending the classes. I believe he could feel it too. He could feel the passion I had for the language.

I knew it would be something totally different from everything I had seen at school (at the time, many English institutes were coming into being with different ideas as opposed to the public schools).

Back then, and even nowadays, Brazilian public schools focused their teaching on grammar. I’m pretty sure that this is why nobody ever learns how to speak the language, only relying on their studies at school.

This inefficient method of teaching provided a gap which many private English schools came to fill.

Opportunity Knocks

The opportunity to learn English at one of those schools was amazing.

I started learning through Lado English Series by Robert Lado, which included six books. Each one was intended to be taught in six months. We would memorize dialogues and then try to act them out. I also remember pronunciation was explained in the books. Intonation too.

It’s fairly certain that I learned a lot in the two years that I stayed there working as a secretary and studying as well, as people who studied for two years were supposed to at least reach intermediate level.

However, I wasn’t able to speak fluently just yet.

Marriage And A Hiatus From Learning English

My life took a totally different path than I had first planned – I got married and had children at an early age. So during this period I was more preoccupied with being a good mother and wife than learning English.

I went four years in fact without any formal English study. However, music was and still is my companion – I learned a lot through music and song. The funny thing is that at first I didn’t have a clue what I was singing. I was just trying to imitate the singer and the words to the lyrics. Now every time I listen to some songs I recognize the verses and finally get the full meaning.

Back To The Books

In 1988 I met my second teacher. Again the studies were focused on grammar and learning expressions, and we would also have some conversation. I remember that not only me, but also my friends were shy and therefore there was more teacher talking time than student talking time.

I don’t blame him. The class would be in total silence if he didn’t say anything.

I stayed there for a while, I think it was about two years again. At that time I majored in languages. And had a brief experience as a teacher at a private school.

Learning English By Myself

Jumping forward to the year 2008, I started learning English on my own. After so many years without studying, I was pretty rusty.

I remember going through different language learning sites looking for people to talk to, but I didn’t feel prepared.

However, from the beginning I found some very nice people. I still have a couple of e-mails I exchanged with my first e-pal friend. That was back in 2008 and my progress has been huge since then.

I got involved with so many activities related to English, but I was out of work and had to find a way to make some money. I sent out a couple of resumés and succeeded in working for a private English school here in my city.

In Front Of The Class

Teaching English was really hard for me. One thing is to learn the language and not worry about being judged for your performance. Another thing is to be in front of a bunch of people willing to know the secret to learning languages.

Or to be seen as a person who is going to help children to learn the language. Parents seem to believe that you’re going to be the the only one to teach their children and if that doesn’t happen teachers are always the ones to blame.

Teaching and learning at the same time has proved to be a bitter experience, at least for me. I didn’t know what to focus on. I had to learn methods to teach different kind of groups of people, that is, teenagers, children and adults and I didn’t have enough support to help me out with that.

Besides this, I wasn’t sure if being a teacher was really a passion of mine, and that was when I decided to quit.

On Social Media

At that time I was already on Twitter sharing everything I bumped into related to methods to learning the language, idioms, phrasal verbs and anything I could to help people like me become more interested in being fluent.

In addition to this, I was interacting with a lot of really interesting people and I got to know teachers and learners from all around the world.

I was more and more involved with social media and I began to spend a massive amount of time online. I also created a blog based on puns to teach idioms and phrasal verbs to Brazilian students of English.

And the more I stay online the more I want to. It’s highly addictive. All these interactions and the pleasure I feel sharing what I learn is indescribable.

All of this involvement has been crucial towards achieving fluency. I’m sure I have a long way to go but I’m also sure that I’m on the right path.

The Road Ahead

I would like to prove to myself that I’m capable of passing one of those proficiency exams (eg the Cambridge CPE), and also I believe this is a great asset one can have.

And I’m sure that being able to speak English fluently will help me get a better job in the future even if my destiny is to be a teacher.

That’s why I’ve decided to take English classes once more.

Sites I Enjoy

Here are some sites to find people to speak English

• Conversation Exchange
• Language Exchanges

– Iramaia 

And now let’s play everyone’s favourite gameshow.

Let’s see how Ira goes in this edition of Fast Questions:

Fave cartoon character: Johnny Bravo…I think it’s very funny. It was one of the cartoons that my kids liked, so I’d also watch it and have a good laugh.

Fave idiom:  “What can’t be cured must be endured.” I used to say that to myself to try and come to terms with the situation I was going through.

The first song you understood in English:  I just can’t remember. But it was probably some Beatles song or Simon and Garfunkel. Those were my favorites.

A place in Brazil you recommend to visitors: Since you can’t recommend places you haven’t been to, I would say Salvador/Bahia because of its beaches, local street carnival which by the way I love and music.

A chocolate shake or fruit smoothie?   A fruit smoothie.

A word in English which sounds funny:  Shenanigans, canoodle, lollygag.

[Ed. – that’s funny, I’ve never heard of ‘lollygag’, which I see is more in North America, meaning to ‘laze about’ or ‘waste time.’ In Australia ‘lolly’ ( lollies pl) is what we call ‘sweets’ or ‘candy’.]

A motivational quote:  “I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” – Pablo Picasso

The most beautiful word in English: Payday  🙂 [Ed. – Tell me about it!] 

Thanks Ira for sharing all this with us. If you wish to follow Ira and check out her articles and puns on learning English, please click on the links below (after you’ve signed up for the latest emails on Get Into English , of course).

@ iraloiola @ Facebook Catch the blog: English – it’s now or never

Gabriela’s Journey Of Learning English

Photo credits

Image: Matt McDaniel Licence: CC by 2.0

Reader Interactions

December 10, 2012 at 23:27

That’s a great post.

I’m sure you’ll get a good result in your CPE exam. You are definitely very committed to mastering the English language. Your blog is also proof that you can be a good teacher.

By the way, I got a Grade A in my CPE exam. If I got that result, you will too!

December 11, 2012 at 11:35

Hi Francisco,

That was definitely a very motivating comment. I really appreciate it.

Congratulations on your A! And sure, I believe I can get there too.

Thanks once again!

October 4, 2013 at 09:20

Learning English with a great Proficiency is really not an easy ways. But if we believe and strive more effort with willingness we can absolutely succed it. Just like Ira, will anyways more power.

July 9, 2018 at 05:01

Thanks Iramai for posting this beautiful article about your struggle for learning English. It will surely motivate English learners like me to get going and not to surrender during the time of adversity.

This post is 6 years old and I am quite sure you must be satisfied now, happily living with your family.

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My Experience in Learning English

Practice in Writing

Write my experience in learning english.

English is very important today. It’s like a bridge that connects people, nations and countries. It’s a language of bussines, commerce, politics, sport, fashion, culture and glamour. Without knowledge of English you won’t be able to find a good job and reach success in your future career. I understand it very well, so I study hard to master English .

I’d like to share my experience in learning English. I have been learning English for nine years, and it’s my favourite subject at school. I learned my first English words and expressions at the age of five with the help of colourful books. Now I’m studying in year 8 at school spezialized in learning foreign languages. I have five English classes per week. We read and discuss texts, have practice in listening and writing and do lots of grammar and vocabulary exercises. My favourite activities in English classes are the following: doing computer tests, doing projects and speaking. As for extra-curricular work I like taking part in English contests and act in perfomances.

I’m crazy about rock music and I love songs of English-speaking singers and bands. I often surf the Internet and find interesting websites about them. It’s not a problem for me to read information in English. One of my hobbies is playing the guitar and singing songs in English.

In my free time I enjoy playing computer games online. It’s a great chance for me to communicate with teens from different countries. I always speak to foreigners who visit our school and our town. It’s fun!

I also attend extra English classes which do me a lot of good. I make pressentations and write essays to be published on my teacher’s website, where I have my own page.

To cut a long story short, I use every opportunity to practice English and develop my reading, writing and listening skills. My goal is to become a fluent speaker.

In conclusion, I’d like to recommend everyone to study English hard and not to waste time. Remember the proverb that lost time is never found again. In my opinion, if you know English well, you will climb the ladder of success.

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Thank you very much for this essay this inspired me and gave me some ideas for writing my own essay

It’s great that you found my work useful! It’s cool that English unites people. I’d like to know what country you are from, it would we great to communicate.

Wow it’s very interesting I’m Cambodain but I really like English subject Because I will climb the ladder of success

Woww, bravo, your essay gives me lot of motivation, thank you so much, I try to be better in English language. But it doesn’t happen. Do you have any idea, please!

What just you read? The essay above clearly explain that The more you learn the more you will earn ..

Can you please give me some other material?

it’s a long time that i am trying to become a fluent English speaker; but it’s never happened..

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Becoming Bilingual: An Experience That Changed My Life

John Nobile Carvalho is a Biochemistry major from Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. John’s inspiration for writing this paper was in finding the most significant and impactful moments of language learning. The reason he considers his essay important is “because during the writing process I was able to recall memories and think of the journey I’ve been on, and all the challenges I’ve faced while learning two languages.” He also credits remote learning with providing plenty of time to devote himself to his studies and this project: “I was aware that this factor could help me focus and write something interesting for people who are not bilingual as well as people who are bilingual.” Besides being a student, John is also a musician and a book lover, and counts the blues and science-fiction books among his passions. He states that he “could never live a day without playing my guitar for a few minutes, or not reading a few pages of a book. These are the two ways I have to escape reality and enjoy the moment.”

The process of becoming a bilingual person can be seen as a long journey, which has several challenges, but at the same time several achievements. Learning a new language can be considered a challenge because it goes far beyond just learning to use words, expressions and knowing how to apply correct grammar, and what I mean by that is that you have to make mistakes, live in situations where you feel vulnerable, and go through difficulties. Even though it is not a simple task, I believe that this process allows us to develop persistence, willpower, maturity and a lot of discipline. Given the explanation, I ask myself the following question: what was my process of becoming bilingual, and how did that make me who I am today?

Well, my journey started relatively early in my life. The first memories I have in mind, when I had contact with the English language, was around the age of 7 years old. I mainly remember the moment when my father used to listen to songs that had quite different lyrics than what I was used to listening to in Brazilian music. I remember asking my dad what those words were and what they meant, and I also remember referring to them as ‘‘strange words.’’ I can perfectly remember the way my father had explained to me that it was English; he said it was a type of language that human beings use and that in particular it was used elsewhere in the world. That fascinated me, and with each day that passed by, I would ask my father to show me more and more music by American artists; this led me to develop a passion for Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Soul Music. I loved the rhythm, melody, and harmony of the songs of these musical genres, but there was a big problem. I could not understand practically anything about what the lyrics were saying, and that was quite frustrating.

After a while, it started to bother me, so I realized it was time to take an initiative. I realized it was time to seek to understand the meaning of the lyrics of the songs I loved so much. I remember sitting on the floor of my room, trying to read and pronounce each word in the rhythm in which I heard them in the songs. I also remember feeling quite angry at first because I could not understand anything at all. Over time, this curiosity made me discover that I could use online translators and websites that made music translations available from English to Portuguese. At that moment I realized that there were no more limits for me. I knew that everything would start to flow naturally.

Basically, my relationship with the English language started to develop organically, and after a few months of practicing English, the words that did not make any sense started to make all the sense. I was obsessed with learning new words, phrases, and expressions. When I least expected it, with the help of subtitles, I was able to watch cartoon shows, movies, and documentaries in English. I felt fulfilled when I was able to understand certain simple dialogues, for example in the video games that I used to play, and for me, that was rewarding. Another memory I have was when I joined elementary school, and the public school where I studied used to offer English classes, and I remember having ease in these classes thanks to all the effort and dedication that I had put into studying and practicing English on my own.

As time went by, my relationship with the English language was solidifying and becoming stronger and stronger. I practically did not listen to music in Portuguese anymore; I did not care about watching cartoons and films in Portuguese anymore, which made me more immersed into American culture. I remember in 2009, when I was only 11 years old, my cousins and colleagues who played football with me asked me why I did not like to watch Brazilian and South American football like “A Liberators da America” (South American Tournament). I always said that European football championships like the Premier League (from England) were more interesting, but they did not understand that I thought it was interesting because I was discovering a “new world”. Right after I turned 14, my parents gave me my first skateboard, and it motivated me, even more, to continue learning things related to English and American culture. I used slang in English with my friends and tried to speak in English with my English teachers at school. I used to sing and play songs in English. I found it fascinating the fact that in less than seven years I had already learned so much about English.

During these seven years of studying and learning the English language, I remember listening to a lot of people around me, like my parents, uncles and aunts, cousins and several friends saying that I was doing the right thing. English was a synonym for “success and mystery” in my mind. They used to say “João, you must learn the English language, as this will bring you great opportunities in your future”. Everyone was absolutely right, and I say this because all the incentives and motivations they gave me were essential for my evolution and progress. I am incredibly grateful mainly for my parents, because thanks to them, I was able to have access to a good education. I was able to access the necessary resources to continue making progress. Without them none of this would have happened, and I would never have gotten as far as I did.

Now, after fourteen years of dedicating myself to studying the English language, I realize that my view on it has changed dramatically. At first, I was just a child venturing into a strange and unknown language, and that was incredibly attractive. When I say that my vision has changed drastically, I mean that now this language is not only a source of curiosity. It has practically become the tool that allows me to connect with the world, and in a way even with myself. I can say with all conviction that being bilingual is one of the most important tools I have in my life. I would say that English for me today is like the oxygen that I breathe all the time, and what I mean is that I can no longer live without it.

English is not just another language that exists in the world. For me, English has shaped my identity and the person I am today. What I mean by that is that English is not just a language, in my life it goes much further. A beautiful example that I always carry in mind is how English made me develop a beautiful conception of music. I consider myself a musician, and I consider music as one of the greatest inventions of mankind, and thanks to the English language I was able to venture into the world of music. Nowadays I study music every week in English: I play in concerts; I play with my friends, so through this example, it is evident how English managed to shape one of the main characteristics of my identity. Another example that comes to mind is that since I was a child, my biggest dream of all has been to become a scientist in the future. That dream only started after I watched countless scientific documentaries, read several books by phenomenal scientists like Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson, and with every day that passes I am sure that my dream will be realized. Thanks to English, I was able to develop the habit of reading, watching documentaries, searching for information and building knowledge, and in my opinion, I think this is incredible. Through the study of this language, I was even able to value my mother tongue even more because like English, Portuguese is an intriguing and spectacular language that I am proud to speak.

To emphasize how crucial the process of becoming bilingual has been in my life, I can tell you how my life has changed completely since I moved to the United States. My first real contact with American society was a wave of feelings and emotions. To clarify what I am trying to say, I could use the experiences of author Orhan Pamuk (2007) as an example, when he describes how frustrating and difficult it is to adjust and adapt to a new culture and a new language. The silence was sometimes my only form of expression, as it was his. However, the best part is that this “wave of feelings and emotions” made me realize that all the years of study and my effort should be valued and put into practice. After a few months, I already felt more comfortable, so I was able to enjoy everything that this new environment had to offer me. I developed not only a love affair with the English language but also with the city of Boston. I had an epiphany and a profound reflection that, like Brazil, the United States is also the place I refer to as home.

This leads me to another interesting and profound reflection that I have been experiencing lately. The fact of moving to the United States is not only a great opportunity to have a beautiful future, and it is not just another phase of my life. It is also an opportunity to be able to connect worlds and cultures. Amin Maalouf (1998) clearly describes how beautiful it is that bilingual people living in other countries can be sources of knowledge, and according to him, these people have a great responsibility in acting as bridges that connect different cultures.

Maalouf is absolutely right, and his reflection resonated with me because I feel this responsibility; I feel responsible to share the American culture with my friends and family who live in Brazil. Likewise, I am responsible for sharing Brazilian culture with American society. I think this is extremely important because if I do that, I can make a difference in the world, I can help the world. I can help the world become a harmonious place, and I feel that I can use the knowledge I have to help people to develop more empathy, respect, and love for people from different places and cultures. Being bilingual and living in another country means having the responsibility to help people and eliminate any kind of prejudice, intolerance, and misunderstanding that they have in mind.

Given all these facts, contexts, and personal experiences, I return to my question: what was my process in becoming bilingual, and how did that make me who I am today? Well, the answer is quite simple, I have had an incredible journey so far. Every second studying English, all my effort, every person involved, every mistake made, every learning experience — all of this was crucial to getting me to where I am today. This journey brought me knowledge and reflections, which helped me to better understand the world and myself. I would never have imagined that English would bring me so many opportunities — all of this was beyond my expectations. I am sure that English will bring me more unique experiences, and I can say with all gratitude that I am ready for all of them.

Maalouf, Amin. (1998). Deadly Identities (Brigitte Caland, Trans.). Al Jadid , 4(25). Retrieved from https://www.aljadid.com/content/deadly-identities .

Pamuk, Orhan. (2007, April 7). My First Passport: What Does it Mean to Belong to a Country? (Maureen Freely, Trans.). The New Yorker . Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/04/16/my-first-passport .

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It’s about living the life you want. It’s about learning, growing, developing and becoming something greater. It’s not just about an exam. It’s about your achievement, your dreams. Be inspired and see how people master their stories with Cambridge English.

Angela from Spain

‘I thought it would be good to help other teachers to use different techniques such as creating games for their students.’

César from Brazil

‘I thought I’d try teaching for six months and maybe be a lawyer, but I got really involved with teaching and have never looked back.’

Gaiane from Ukraine

‘After several years of teaching English to corporate clients, my friend and I founded our own language school.’

Vanessa from Switzerland

‘The job these influencers do really inspires me, and I want to contribute like them one day.’

Jiří from the Czech Republic

‘Singing songs in English really helped my English journey.’

Verônica from Brazil

‘I remember writing on the board and a student called me ‘teacher’. I knew then that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.’

Carlos from Colombia

‘I truly believe that when you struggle you learn the most.’

Luana from Argentina

‘I feel like a lot of young people are just told you need English to get a job. I tell them it’s not just about this – but learning English can give you so many other opportunities.’

Óscar from Spain

‘Being a Spanish translator is an exciting challenge. I really like what I do because every day I learn something new.’

Andreza from Brazil

‘I’d come so far on my English journey that I was now confident to express myself and I was no longer afraid of making mistakes.’

Xinxin from China

‘Studying with and meeting people from all over the world is one of the most inspiring things that happened in my life.’

Khalil from Switzerland

‘I’ve always felt like I want to discover more in life and through my work with Buy Food with Plastic I can exactly do that.’

Luana from Brazil

‘I started thinking about my career and I always knew it would be something connected to learning languages and literature.’

Erick from Peru

‘I’ve been teaching for 22 years now and watching people grow is what motivates me.’

Camilla from Italy

‘If I ever feel like I want to give up I’ll read inspiring blogs from people who have risen above the odds and made it – especially women!’

Carlos from Portugal

‘I was always inspired by successful stories of how people and companies were changing the world.’

Elisabet from Spain

‘I was always interested in learning languages, exploring foreign cultures and real-life interactions with people.’

Monica from Japan

‘The human body is so complicated, yet very organised, so I thought it would be really interesting to study medicine.’

Valentin from France

'Now I’m applying for jobs at law firms in the US and people are really interested in my profile and how I’ve studied in the UK, France and now the US.'

BingJie from China

‘I’m thinking of starting my own channel to teach English songs on social media, as well as doing more studies.’

Dmitry from Russia

‘I love learning so I decided to do an exam for English teachers as well as higher level language exams.’

Angeliki from Greece

‘I decided to start my own language school and that’s where things really took off.’

Kasia from Poland

‘I always wanted to be a radio presenter and now I’ve got my own show in the UK.’

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My Journey as a University Student

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Here’s How My Language Learning Journey Started… What’s Your Story?

“love the life you live. live the life you love.” ~bob marley.

I heard this quote from the reggae legend, Bob Marley, 4 years ago when I first started my journey to master Portuguese, and it has stuck with me ever since.

I know it’s not Portuguese, but these words have constantly been in my head for the past few years throughout my journey.

I started my journey chasing these wise words from Bo b Marley and with the dream of living a better life. However, the journey hasn’t been easy. Just like you, I have had difficulties understanding native speakers, forgotten vocabulary, mispronounced words, and been afraid to speak in public.

Without these struggles I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I wouldn’t be here sharing my experiences in order to help you grow along your journey to English fluency.

Every day, I think about the story that I’m writing for my life. I am the creator of my own reality. Every choice I make has an influence on my destiny.

I’ve learned along my journey that if you want to “love the life you live” and “live the life you love” right now, simply stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and just think about how great it is to be alive today.

Be grateful for your health, family, friends, nature, clean water, your job, a fresh cooked meal, your bed, and a good night’s sleep. There is an abundance of things to be thankful for.

Then, shortly after, go do something that you are afraid of. Step outside of your comfort zone, and lean 1  towards discomfort.

As the talented comedian Jamie Foxx says: “What’s on the other side of fear? Nothing.”

I like to imagine our deepest fears as big internal “dragons” that our mind creates. We can face our fears and slay our dragons with gratitude. Instead of running away from them, accept and appreciate them as challenges along the journey.

On the other side of fear is our biggest opportunity to grow. When you slay your dragons, you are rewarded with a new level of confidence, power, and courage. You unlock your unlimited potential as a human, and are able to “live the life you love.”

I discovered this truth along my journey to Portuguese fluency. A journey that has had its ups and downs, heartbreaks 2 , and victories.

Although as a RealLife English coach, I can now say that I understand the process of learning any language, it wasn’t always that way. My journey to Portuguese fluency has been a tough 3  process that actually started years before I even had any desire to learn the language.

My Ordinary World

Here’s a picture of me playing football in high school.

Looking back, my adventurous journey to master Portuguese probably started in a similar way to your journey with English.

My journey started in a pretty ordinary place, in a small suburb outside of Washington, D.C. called Ashburn, in the state of Virginia. Ashburn is a quiet, comfortable place where the most exciting event each week is usually the local high school football game.

Not many people know where that is, so when people ask me where I am from, I always tell them that I’m from DC.

I wasn’t studying Portuguese at the time actually, but rather Spanish. In high school, I studied Spanish for 3 years, however I struggled to really learn it. I basically memorized the vocabulary and grammar from the books so that I could pass my tests, but if someone came up to me in the street speaking Spanish, I would have no idea what to say.

I had even worked for my dad’s company on construction sites in the summer with people from Central America, and would get upset that, after studying Spanish for 3 years, I still couldn’t understand any of them.

Since I was really frustrated with my inability to understand native Spanish speakers, I had decided to give up on learning the language and to focus on learning other subjects, such as science, and playing football in high school.

As you can probably tell, I was a really shy teenager growing up. I grew up in a small town environment of safety and comfort. I was really afraid to go out on my own, to explore the world, and meet new people.

The fear of the unknown and discomfort that comes with meeting new people, trying to express myself, and speaking a language other than English in public have always been the biggest dragons in my life. They have held me back from doing the things that I really want to do and becoming the best version of myself.

I bet you have had a similar experience along your journey to English fluency. Whether you are just starting or pretty far down the road, you know that nervous feeling you get when you are about to do something that scares you in English.

Do you run from that feeling of fear? Or do you face it when it comes up?

Embarking On My Journey

Let’s fast forward 4  to my college days where all of this started to change with one simple decision.

After high school, I continued to follow my passion for science and football by choosing to get a degree in geology while playing football at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Lexington is a small town located in a valley in the Appalachian Mountains.

During my college days, this small town in Virginia helped me find my love for nature. When I arrived on campus for the first time, everywhere I had looked was surrounded by beautiful mountains, flowers, trees, animals, and rivers.

For the first time, I started to explore the world and my passion for nature on my own while studying geology. I started to travel to exotic locations around the United States, such as Zion Canyon in Utah, to understand the earth and its processes a little bit better.

I felt a connection that I had never felt before from finally facing the discomfort of exploring the unknown beauty of nature. My experiences traveling and connecting with the natural world changed my perspective.

I wanted to deepen that connection, so instead of finishing my senior year of football in college, I made the big decision to quit from the team so that I could study abroad in Rio de Janeiro, a city known for its beautiful beaches, forests, and mountains, and learn Portuguese.

I felt like Brazil was literally calling me, and I was ready to answer it. I knew it was time to accept the challenge to learn Portuguese, and start to face my fears for once.

But wait… I bet you are thinking about my experience with Spanish.

Why would I try to start a new language?

I wanted to restart. I wanted to try to learn Portuguese with a clean slate 5 . I was tired of running from my fears, and I had a feeling that Rio would be the perfect place for me to learn Portuguese, deepen my connection with nature, and of course spend some time relaxing at the beach.

In addition to connecting with nature, I wanted to connect with Brazilians and learn about their culture, so I restarted my language learning journey by ordering a book called Learn Portuguese in 15 Minutes and signing up for a year of Portuguese classes at my college (which seemed logical at the time).

After a year studying Portuguese and preparing for my trip to Brazil, I found that I had the same difficulties that I had learning Spanish. I could read and write okay, but it was really tough for me to speak it and I couldn’t really understand natives.

I felt discouraged again, but this time I wasn’t going to quit. I had learned my lesson from my failures with Spanish. This time I was determined to learn how to speak Portuguese. It was important for me to have determination in this moment in order to keep going and to achieve my goals.

I learned that I would have to be patient with myself and the journey. Instead of thinking about becoming fluent in 3 months or 1 year, I approached learning Portuguese as a lifelong journey.

I’m 4 years into this journey, and I believe that I have just started. There’s just so much to learn. You always have room for improvement.

I imagine that if you are reading this, you really want to improve your English skills. Understand that throughout the journey there will be moments where you will be upset with yourself or feel frustrated that you aren’t making any progress. Maybe you can’t understand native jokes, or maybe you are afraid to speak English in public and make mistakes.

Whatever happens, don’t give up. Stay determined. Keep finding resources and ways to get better along the journey.

No matter where you are at in your journey, you’ve come way too far to quit.

What’s Your Story?

Now you know how my adventure with Portuguese got started.

It had very humble beginnings. I was never the best language learner. I even quit learning Spanish early in the process.

I may be an English coach, but I’m far from perfect.The story of how I started on my Portuguese journey is likely similar to your English journey.

I “love the life I live” today because I know how it feels to struggle when you are first learning a language. I connect with that pain because I went through it multiple times. Today, I find so much pleasure in being able to help English learners such as yourself grow.

This is how my Portuguese journey started: with many mistakes, failures, and painful moments. Reflecting on all my experiences, I can now say I have a deep appreciation for everything. Each challenge was a lesson to be learnt, and today I feel like all the work I’ve put in to improve my Portuguese has been worth it.

Whether you are just embarking on your journey as a lifelong English learner or have been learning English for a while, there will be a number of challenges that you will encounter.

Zig Ziglar once said: “You don’t have to be great to start. But you have to start to be great.”

The key is to start, and to make a commitment to the journey. I promise it will be the best decision of your life.

If you have enjoyed hearing how my language learning journey started, follow along as I share my experiences learning Portuguese while teaching English in Brazil next week.

In the meantime, if this article has inspired you, I would love to know more about your journey to English fluency.

Now, it’s your turn to have some fun and share your story. Answer the following question, and tell me about your heroic journey to conquer English in the comments section below.

What is the most important lesson that you’ve learned so far on your English journey?

Today is the day to accept your call to adventure and start improving your English abilities.

Download a FREE copy of the RealLife English Manifesto and begin your journey to English fluency!

Vocabulary from this article

• lean: to move in the direction of something
• heartbreaks: difficult losses
• tough: difficult
• fast forward: an expression that means to go to an event or time period in the future
• clean slate: a new opportunity

Hello, Zach Barney! It is a great story about your life and journey! I live here in Brazil since I was born and I’m aware of how it could be hard in the beginning for you. I share the same experience as you. Most of the time, I feel like I’m not making any progress, and improving my English skills. However, I’m so grateful because I’m alive, I have friends, clean water, etc. I remember my first day in class at School (English Course), it was 4 years ago and before that, I didn’t have any contact with English during my High School. I confess that I was not afraid, but when the Teacher started to speak and said: We cannot speak Portuguese in class only English, in that time, I’ve become afraid of English because my own dragons woke up. But, I faced, slay them. Now I speak without worry about mistakes, grammar, and judgment from other people. We know that many people who succeed in life, business, sports and so on, failed one, two, three … many times before they got glorious.

I’d like to congratulations you and the other guys members of this amazing team. You have great resources and nice article to share with us. Thanks a bunch!

I really appreciate your comment Sodre!! Your story is really inspiring as well. I’m glad that you feel motivated to continue along the journey to RealLife English fluency with me. WE are in this together!

Hi, Zach!! thanks for sharing your personel story to fluency. Realy inspiring. I’m Maks.. from Kyrgyzstan one of the former soviet union republics. Probably I’m the only one from KG in fluency circle. First I got interested in learning eng and somehow become fluent when I was in 5th grade. At the time we happened to have one the first group of volunteers teaching eng abroad. I still remember that guy’s name and he looked like.. His name was Tim (native American ). Our first lesson was something that we’d never experienced. We laughed a lot and had really interesting lesson. I’d never thought that eng could be toughed this easy. So since that I wanted to understand and be able to speak . then after a while me and my family moved to another city.. where of course we had just ordinary boring and having no clue how to teach easy eng teacher. There is too much to say.. I don’t have enough vocabulary. But anyways. I agree with you that we have to be determinate and consistent on our journey.

Hi Maks! Thanks for sharing your story with me! I also agree with you in the fact that if you want to really learn a language like English you need to find ways to make it fun, natural, and convenient. There are a lot of resources outside of a traditional school course where you can learn English such as our online video courses, Learn English with TV YouTube Channel, and even this article. The opportunities are out there you just have to realize how to make the most out of different resources and consistence is a key part of making learning a habit.

hi! thanks for your writing. i am Vietnamese. i have a long time to study English. When i was in grade 6 until i graduated from school, i studied English from traditional courses 9 years. then i worked without using English.After that, i didn’t study English. i recently teach myself at home. i don’t study about grammar , choose a,b,c in the test like i was at school. so i listen to music, read what i am interested in such as diary.com, novels, short story, news… beside that i often listen to ted talks, English speeches, real English, audio books (Robinson Cruise), radio,postcards,watch cartoon in English(Disney), films, TV shows, talk Vietnam, ielts face off…i listen anytime i can such as do housework, wake up, wear clothes, before sleeping….moreover, i write diary to practise writing skill, tranlate Vietnamese to English. i always find ways to study that i can do, i like to do. Recently i seek new ways to study for example write down new words that i don’t know in Vietnemese into a note book, then i look up them in dictionary at the end of the day or study new words in this note book by the way watch it when i have free time, bring note book to me anywhere. But I often study the all sentenses but not study only proper words. I also practise speaking , speak alone, speak following Mr Durcan on Youtube, speak like his tune, speak in front of the mirror ,camera phone or record my voice. After a few months , i improve my listening skills more than i was at school. However, i can’t speak fluently, i have to study more new words,i have to expand knowledge to communicate with other people deeply, i have to study about English culture to understand what they mean. My pronunciation is not good, i don’t know how to pronounce the end of words. i don’t have a friend or a teacher to teach me, correct me. Next week, i will begin to study at the centre of English SAS. i hope i can speak fluently and make friends here. Why do i try to study English? because i am interested in English, i like listening to English music (taylor swilf, adele, …..) i can have a good salary if i speak English fluently and maybe in the future i will need English to help my job.

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My journey As a Student Essay

Essay on topic my journey as a student.

Introduction Lines

As a student, my journey so far has been full of challenges, growth, and self-discovery. I have learned a lot about myself, my abilities, and my passions. In this essay, I will reflect on my journey as a student, highlighting the milestones, struggles, and achievements that have shaped my academic life.

Body Paragraphs

My journey as a student started when I was in elementary school. I vividly remember the excitement and nervousness I felt on my first day of school. I was eager to learn and make new friends. As I progressed through the years, I encountered many challenges, such as adjusting to new teachers, making the transition from elementary to middle school, and learning how to manage my time effectively. Despite these challenges, I remained committed to my studies and continued to work hard to achieve good grades.

In high school, I faced a new set of challenges. The workload was more rigorous, and I had to balance academics with extracurricular activities and part-time work. During this time, I also discovered my passion for writing and became an active member of the school newspaper. This experience taught me the value of teamwork, communication, and leadership.

As I entered college, I was both excited and nervous. I knew that college would be a new and challenging experience, but I was determined to succeed. I quickly learned that college required a higher level of dedication, discipline, and self-motivation. I had to learn how to manage my time efficiently, prioritize my tasks, and seek help when needed. Despite the challenges, I thrived in college and became more confident in my abilities. I also discovered new interests and passions, such as studying abroad and volunteering in my community.

Conclusion:

My journey as a student has been a remarkable experience. It has taught me valuable life skills, such as perseverance, time management, and teamwork. I have learned to adapt to new situations and challenges, and to never give up on my dreams. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and for the people who have supported me along the way. As I continue my academic journey, I am excited to see where it will take me and what new experiences and challenges I will encounter.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — Punjabi Culture — Learning Languages: The Journey

Learning Languages: The Journey

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Overall Reflection on Learning Journey Essay

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Educating young children is a very responsible task. During centuries, philosophers, teachers, and other scientists suggested many teaching techniques and theories that were aimed at improving the process of teaching, learning, and assessment. Indeed, modern education is based on several major principles that presuppose encouraging communication between adults and children, encourage learning activities, promote self-belief, and respect for other people. These principles were described and interpreted in various books, articles, etc. In this essay, I am going to highlight some key things, such as theories, principles, and approaches that re-shape or change the way I think about teaching, learning, and assessment.

I have never considered teaching as something easy, however, it is much “deeper” activity that, according to Eggen and Kauchak (2010) can be described with such adjectives as “demanding”, “challenging”, and “rewarding”. Being a teacher is not a profession, but a lifestyle. What was new for me is that a teacher should also be a psychologist. It is the main characteristic of his/her professionalism. As Eggen and Kauchak (2001) mention in their book, a commitment to learning, the ability to make decisions, reflective practices are the foundations of a professional teacher. Consequently, the knowledge of the material is not the only “knowledge” the teacher should possess. One should study educational psychology to develop a professional knowledge base that helps make decisions to maximize students’ learning. (Eggen & Kauchak, 2010).

What is also important for a teacher is no understand that the world and society develops, the students are not the same there were years ago, thus, a teacher is supposed to use innovative teaching methods that increase students’ alertness and motivation, as well as improve teacher’s professional development. One such method employs the use of the Internet and various digital technologies: “Internet navigation can use the technology to access professional development opportunities.” (Pandey and Bhargava, 2003) This promoted professional development and makes students more interested in learning, thus, it improves their performance. I have also realized that it is extremely important for teachers to understand individual student’s learning capabilities and psychological characteristics of every individual, as well as the whole group to be able to control their behavior. One should be aware of the ethics of the group membership and the commitment to the attitudes, values, and behavior of that group (Eggen & Kauchak, 2010). I also understood that there are many forms of disciplining young children, the most important for a teacher is to realize that these forms should be suitable in one time and place (Porter, 2002).

Two methods re-shaped my view on teaching: constructive and instructive teaching methods. The constructivist theory acknowledges that every learner needs to create an individual understanding of a concept through first-hand experience or reflection (student-based). This is an effective method since the students can visualize and easily understand the taught concepts. This is the opposite of the instructive teaching method where we are supposed to hammers information through explicit teaching, there is a strict sequence of skill presentation, and this method has its shortfalls since weak students might not be able to keep up with the pace. (Zevenbergen, 1995). One thing that we must all observe is professionalism and positive attitudes since they are keys to successful teaching. I appreciate the need to increase the students’ skills in education and life, and to achieve this we should empower students so that they can identify problems and solve them, still it brings them to issues related to real-life matters, and how to go about them. Thus, a teacher should promote student’s personal, social, and moral development in real-life situations.

According to Eggen and Kauchak (2010), age-related changes in personality, ability to interact, and pro-social characteristics should be taken into consideration when educating children. My vision of the educational process was also very changed by the theories of Piaget and Vigotsky. I considered that it is the teacher’s responsibility to present the knowledge, however, according to Piaget, learning is an active process and learners construct their knowledge (Eggen & Kauchak, 2010). Thus, the teacher is only the helper who directs and gives advice. Such a theory of active learning influenced greatly modern education and improved it. Vigotsky is another great pedagogue that changed my vision of the teaching process. His sociocultural theory of development emphasized the role of language in the child’s development, he promoted a great role of culture and social interaction (Eggen & Kauchak, 2010). Thus, I support the idea that people, as social beings should interact with other people and share their culture during socio-based activities.

Another important issue is the way of assessing students. We do this in various ways; one can take the formative approach which tests continuity, while there is the other method we use is the formative one which assesses the students at the end of their program. The formative approach is an effective method of testing day to day progress and it is effective since we can make rectifications instantly to avert the accumulation of learning problems. We are supposed to assess students in line with the set curriculum and objectives. This will take different forms but the primary objective is to use findings to improve our teaching and the student’s learning. (Bhagiar, 2007).

Throughout my learning, I discovered several important things that can promote the enhancement of teachers’ professional development and productivity. These issues have changed my attitude to teaching learning and assessment. What I understood is that teachers should prepare students to real life, promote their social, individual and moral development. By employing teaching tactics that use real life is, sues, teachers should let students explore the better world, come up with new ideas as well as help them solve real life problems. I appreciated what (Eggen & Kauchak 2010) said about real-life teaching whereby we use teaching aids which boosts the students’ ability to understand reality.

Bhagiar, M. (2006).Classroom Assessment Cycle within the Alternate Assessment Paradigm. Journal of Maltese Education research . Web.

Eggen, P & Kauchak, D. (2004) Education psychology Windows on classrooms. Web.

Pandey, V. C. & Bhargava, G. (2003). Digital Technologies and Teaching Strategies. Gyan Books.

Porter, L. (2002). Educating Young Children with Special Needs. SAGE.

Zevenbergen, R. (1995). Constructivist approaches in mathematics education. Web.

• Formative Assessment: Gauging the Outcome of Educational Activities
• Education Plan: Formative Assessment
• Keeping Learning on Track: Formative Assessment and the Regulation of Learning
• Action Research and Educational Program Evaluation
• Rating Teachers at Ratemyteacher.com
• Teacher Development and School Responsibilities
• Educator's Principles in Foreign Language Teaching
• Montessori Teacher's Certification Experiences
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, February 26). Overall Reflection on Learning Journey. https://ivypanda.com/essays/overall-reflection-on-learning-journey/

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IvyPanda . (2021) 'Overall Reflection on Learning Journey'. 26 February.

IvyPanda . 2021. "Overall Reflection on Learning Journey." February 26, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/overall-reflection-on-learning-journey/.

1. IvyPanda . "Overall Reflection on Learning Journey." February 26, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/overall-reflection-on-learning-journey/.

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IvyPanda . "Overall Reflection on Learning Journey." February 26, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/overall-reflection-on-learning-journey/.