How My English Has Improved at AIU

I’m very happy to be a student at AIU (Akita International University). The main reason why I’m happy is my dream to learn English is coming true.

I arrived here last September. I can remember that tough time because I couldn’t understand either English or Japanese. I was frustrated and disappointed a lot of the time because homework was very difficult, so I spent too much time doing my homework. Also, I was lonely because I couldn’t communicate with people. I sometimes wondered why I was here. When I arrived here I didn’t know some English.

Even though I had studied English for 2 years in Mongolia, it was not enough to survive here. It was children’s English. I always worked with grammar stuff materials. Even then, my knowledge of grammar was poor.

Now, my English is much better and improved a lot. Also, I can speak, write, and read English. I can speak freely with my friends and teachers before I usually brought my Mongolian dictionary. If I want to debate in English I can. Besides, my reading ability improved a lot, and I can read quickly and understand clearly without dictionary before I read some topic again and again, but I couldn’t understand until I used a dictionary. I am amazed, and surprised when I communicate with someone in English. Moreover, my friends ask me, “How did I learn this much English?” They remember when I first came here.

The progress was not easy. I have been studying how to learn English intensely. During the winter and spring vacation while other students were sleeping and playing I studied English by myself. I envied them, but I had to learn.

To summarize, I realized to develop English using 3 effective ways to study at AIU. These ways are materials, strategies, and other people’s help.

First, I worked with the SAC’s (Self Access Center) materials which helped me a lot. There was a variety of useful books and DVDs. I worked there voluntarily during winter and spring vacation. While I was working in the SAC I used these books and DVDs. If I couldn’t have worked at SAC, I wouldn’t have learnt as much English because my materials weren’t good. Besides, I was watching every day’s TV news while I used SAC’s materials. The most useful materials I used were ABC’s news on TV and movies. In addition, I realized that when I watched the news it gave me vital information about what was going on around the world. It was very good activity not only to improve my English intensely but also to develop critically thinking. For example, during that time, most information was displayed about conflict between Iraq and USA’s. Before I watched this news, I had foggy imagination about what was going on in the Iraq. I surprised that there was a kind of war. Civilians were dying because of conflict between America’s military and Iraq rebellious opponents.

Good materials without good strategies and strategies without materials won’t do. Both are needed. I made schedules and plans and followed them. I designed those schedules not only me but also others who want to learn English quickly. When I was Professor Dave Ragan’s student I studied many useful strategies. Also, he taught us very useful strategies about how to learn intensively not only English but also other class. My classmates used book that titled Becoming a Master Student. This book is written about how to achieve our tasks, and many useful ideas and strategies are discussed in the book. Besides, I was surprised while I began to study the book because when I was studied at junior and high school I suddenly used this book’s ideas and strategies. I knew some strategies’ disadvantages before I started to use the book. Then, I took some strategies from the book, and I twisted mine. When I made a plan, I considered improving all skills, both input and output.

When I studied by myself I had many complicated questions, which I couldn’t answer, at that time I just wrote those questions down and took them to my teachers. They explained completely and clearly. In addition, I appreciate my EAP’s (English Academic Purpose) teachers, and I will never forget them. I’m a lucky man.

In conclusion, I believe my English has improved significantly during the last year. Now, I can give myself credit for this given to me by my teacher.

My living places

Recalling my living place was so memorable because it related to my history since I grew up. Remembering my past life, I used to live a nomadic life also 2 permanent places.
Since I was born until I entered an elementary school I used to live in countryside permanently. Nomad’s life is extremely busy. They always have to get up early, at least at 5 a.m during the summer time. Since they get up their every day’s work starts until they sleep at 12 o’clock. Even if I was a child I helped my family to care our domestic animals: horses, cows, sheep, and goats. When I was 6 years old I learned how to ride a horse. I used to ride a horse every day for taking care of domestic animals during that time. That time was so wonderful because it was my childhood life. I grew up there, and I’m one of the nomads. Also, it is my one of the great prides. I wish I could return my childhood time if I had a chance.

That happy life didn’t last longer because when I was 8 years old I had to go elementary school. I didn’t like go to school reason why I loved the nomadic life too much. When I began to go school I started to in my school’s dormitory. The first year seemed to me difficult. I missed my home so much. A few times I tried to escape from the dormitory. I seldom went back my home during my school time. I gradually adjusted to school life when I entered second year, and I started to be fascinated by studying. After that time I strongly decided that I should study successfully. I realized that if I studied successfully I would live happily. Then, I focused on how to study very well.

After I finished high school I moved to city for studying at the university. I also used to live in my university’s dormitory until I came here. I lived there 2 and half year, and it was not difficult because I knew how to live in dormitory happily. It was my beginning of an adult life. I learnt how to make food there before I didn’t make any food by myself. I had 3 roommates who are very friendly guys, and they are my best friends. We always shared our sadness and happiness during living together. We were very good advisors to each other as parents.
Now, I have been living at AIU’s dormitory about 8 months. My dormitory has many international students from Mongolia, Korea, Sweden, Germany, Canada, USA, China, and Taiwan. I am delighted to have the chance to meet such a diversity of people in an international and intercultural atmosphere. We learn while doing things together. For example, we celebrate our birthdays as if we were one big family. The dedication words on my birthday card were written in many different languages. That was a most memorable present. During this time I realized what life is and who I am. In other words, my point of view has given way to a more open-minded international consciousness