I can’t help laughing when I recall my first English class in primary school: forty children, all in their 4th grade, clumsily imitated the tape, speaking out words which didn’t make any sense to them. Yet this is precisely a typical scene in any English class in China then. As children, we had no idea why we should learn it. My father told me that decades ago educated young people all learned Russian, when China was on good terms with the former Soviet Union. After the reforming in the 1980s, they shifted to English for some reason.
After graduate from primary school, I went to a middle school which focused more on English learning. I was lucky to be exposed to a more active English learning environment and our text book “Look Ahead” was like a mirror reflecting the real life in an English speaking world. We were curious about the lives people lead in a different culture and it was always a pleasure to read a novel in its original language edition, for you can discover something that ordinary people will never learn by reading translated editions. That really makes you feel that you are somebody. Sounds naïve? But that was my true feeling.
Then in senior 3, I plunged myself (as other students did) in harried cramming study, preparing for the college entrance exam. The purpose of learning English changed; I just wanted to get higher grade within the shortest time possible, turning a blind eye to my future development. I had no choice for I must spare far more time on my science subjects. I admit with shame now that my passion for English has vanished since then. In today’s economic climate, most people like me are shortsighted. We learn things which are useful in short-term and can pay back immediately. Majoring in Science seems to give me an excuse not to study English with all my effort. Sometimes I comfort myself that my chance of achieving the level of native speakers is remote, just like wishing for the stars. After all I major in science! Why should I trouble myself with learning English so hard?
However, in the bottom of my heart, I still cherish the hope that one day I can write an essay as elaborate and as coherent as Singaporean students. People must push themselves to their limits, so as to live life to the fullest. Since I’ve chosen to come here, I choose to be more ambitious.
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I think you are very lucky because you had a totally different experience when learning English in middle school. You learnt it much deeper than others and I always admire your fluent English. I can learn a lot from you and I hope you have the willing to help me with my English. Personally I think English is just a language or a useful tool, if you are not a linguist and you never want to be one. Although we got a lot of delight and gratification through learning English, the ultimate purpose is to communicate with native English speakers and to acquire knowledge conveyed in English. Then we will broaden our horizons and get a distinct view of the outer world confronting us. You said when you majored in science subjects and your interest in English faded day by day, you felt a little sad. I have the same feeling with you but my thought is that when we matriculate as a college student in NUS, we will be surrounded by English. I mean lectures, textbooks, communication and so on. Then our interest in English will be evoked once again. The future is brighter! Go ahead!
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