Learning English
I guess most people know Chinese examination-oriented education system when I was in the school. All the Asian cultures are like that very competitive because of the huge population. I hated to learn English because school only focus on grammar and continuous tests. I love travel but dislike tour group. I had better improve my English since I prefer travel by myself. I chose the language school EF(Education First) in shanghai in 2011. At that time I couldn't use complete sentences and my language skill was only at elementary level. I liked the learning system in Shanghai EF because they have a music club, movie club, travel club, history, culture difference…etc. These varieties of interest are motivation to me and are the best teacher in the world. I practiced listening and speaking frequently, after one year late I could communicate with foreigners but without further details. I never was around people who spoke the English language in my life, including work, school or friendships at that time. So I tried to find a job in the language school, started from the bottom. Then I got a job at the EF Company by my English teacher's recommendation. Working at EF had helped my English language skills, because my co workers mostly speak English. However I have found out that working for a private school, that the business of running a school becomes more important than the teaching activity. Language school should be an Education; it's not only a business.
After that I decided to quit my job and went to US as a full-time student in June 2014. I didn't learn much from school. The learning online system in US isn't as good as the one in shanghais. Some my American English teachers who are just native speaker don't know how to teach. I have observed that speaking English is not only a language skill, but involves a different way of thinking. It can widen our vision and broaden our minds. This journey is kind of self-awareness for me. The way of getting out of my comfort zone (challenge myself) made me realize my weakness. Study abroad is my dream when I was age of 20, unfortunately I didn't have enough resource at that time. So when I can do it by self-supporting, I should be bold.
