Good morning!
How did you learn a language?
Everyone has a different journey to start.
My journey to love English is very natural. Because I learn it from my heart. But it is not just related to learning, It is more than that.
Now, Let's see what my journey had.
1. Absorb English
2. "Hunt foreigners" for the first time
3. Join clubs
4.Keep learning every day
1.Absorb English
Since I was in high school, I was very lucky to know my great literature teacher. I was a shy student and scared to communicate. I just can talk with people I know for a long time or I trust so I spend lots of time being alone. I talked about this with my teacher and she absolutely understood me because she was like me as well. She started to give me books every time I got high scores in the class as a gift. I read them non-stop. Day by day, I was so hungering to read then I tried to borrow books from my friends such as the kids and teenager book of Nguyen Nhat Anh, then I bought some western from my teacher's recommendation such as Gone with the wind, Abel and Kane, Anne in the Green Gable, etc. This built my imagination and my curiosity about culture. After that, I watched lots of movies as well like Forrest Gump, The Truman Show, The Schindler's list, Atonement, etc. I watched many types of movies and books. I absorbed it day by day and become loving it. I love their sound when the actor or actress speaks or the sound of international singers. I could see many beautiful places through movies, I imagine myself traveling through books. It was so amazing. This time did not mean that I can speak English. I just fall in love with it.
2.Hunt foreigners the first time
When I go to university, I realize that love is not enough. It needs effort and environment to practice as well. I talked to myself that I need to be really good then I will go out to talk with foreigners. It took me lots of time but I did not improve until I had an exam at school and I had to change my ways. Where can I talk with them? and How can I talk with them? That time many international tourists came to Da Nang to visit so I took that chance. I came to Dragon Bridge to talk with them. I am an introvert so I really don't know how to talk with new people at first. But I had no choice, I had to do it. That was the picture I took with 2 foreigners I talk with for the first time. I was so nervous. I didn't know how to start a conversation. I told them that I wanted to improve my English but in reality, I needed something to talk about. The most thing I want to ask every foreign friend I met is about traveling. They traveled to many countries and they shared with me their perspective and different experiences. Actually, at that time I didn't understand much but somehow they inspired me to go out to talk more. From this, I broke my own comfort zone. I no longer suspect my weakness, I face up with it and change to make the best for my development.
3.Join clubs
After the memorable moment, I went out more, I talked with many different people, many ages both Vietnamese and Foreigners. I took any chances to ask them then learn from them. I checked my pronunciation and fixed my mistakes. Everything was changed when I join Vision badminton club. Every day I join is so amazing. People there now become my friends who taught me a lot how to play badminton. I wake up early every day to go to the court, I play hard and live for every moment of my life. I have chances to talk with Korean people and they told me about how Korea was developed, they supported me whenever I need. Everything just naturally came to me. I am still shy to talk but somehow I know I did overcome the hard part "My fear and suspiciousness".
Adventure group and cycling group
Since I joined this club, my soul was back because I could be back to nature. I understand how my lifestyle is. I love hiking and exploring around. I liked to cycle around and slowly enjoy nature rather than driving to one place and taking some photos there. Whatever activities are, I am always down for it. It could be hard or difficult to achieve, but I know challenging makes me stronger.
4.Keep trying
I still need to try more and more. This world likes an adventure. I have so many things to explore. The more I learn, the more I know that I am so small in this world. English becomes a tool for me to know more, understand more, and become my love, then joining HIVE is a great way for me to do the thing I love. And I know every day when I wake up, I keep trying every moment.
How about you, my dear friend? What are you trying to do?
I would love to hear from you and we could keep doing it together.
