Tangerine John

2015/03/25

I’m Eric, and so glad to be here at toastmaster of the evening, sharing my story of my English learning path. In the part one, I will tell you about my English learning. Part two is about my life of college student.

I started learning English in a cram school when I was in first grade. At first, it was not challenging to me. The teacher and classmates were kind and easygoing. However, I got some pressure from my dad since he really cares my studying at all times.
In our first class, the teacher asked if we got our English names. That was the first time I realized what English is. I answered that I didn’t have an English name, so she named me Eric. When my dad asked me what my name is, the weird thing happened. I couldn’t read the name when I remembered the spelling, while I couldn’t spell it after I said it out loud. My dad kept asking me to read the name or spell it. I was scared, and then started crying. He looked at me madly. I hate this start of English learning and those memories in my childhood.

My dad was a mathematics teacher and retired few years ago. He always tells me to pay attention to the details in life, and reminds me over and over again, saying the words like “You eat too fast, slow down” or “Grow up. Be an adult” or “When talking with others, be serious. Don’t laugh.” Actually I feel that I got too much pressure from him. I dare not to let him know when I have questions in Math or English, since he seems not happy to answer my questions and told me to try solving them on my own.

I was born and raised in Taipei. When I studied in college, which is not far from home, I still lived with my family. My dad accompanied me, but at the same time continued his control on me. I stayed on campus in the morning and afternoon. Then I played the computer game in my college mates’ dorm in the evening. I could feel the freedom, since I was sort of released from the control; however I was not happy. I was losing my ideal and goals. I didn’t want to take any responsibility to achieve the goals and didn’t put enough efforts on them. It’s always a struggle; the more I wanted to escape from the pressure, the more I felt the pressure. My career goal to be an R&D engineer was fading away.

Now I’m different. I realized that I should set up steps to achieve my goal. Once I’m done with the first step, I can move to the second one easier. Gradually I will be closer and closer to my final step to the goals.

Also, I realized that knowledge is beyond textbooks and teachers are not only the ones in school giving lectures. We can learn valuable things from our life experience and accumulate wisdom from different people appearing in our lives.

I’ve lost my dreams, and I know how much it could make me anxious. Now I always tell myself never to abandon my dreams and enthusiasm, which make me stronger and happier. And I would like to share this point of view to all of you. Thank you for the attention.