Sigh, I've been spending too much time online, especially on PTT... Name: Amy Nickname: N/A Birthday: It's not polite to ask for a lady's age, you know... Hobbies: (official answer) reading, singing, music (actual reality) PTT and facebook (sigh) Occupation: unemployed (just graduated, looking for a job now) How long have you been learning English? Since junior high school. (No further questions like "so how many years?") What does English mean to you? What do you like about it? I actually don't know. It used to represent literature/ culture/ philosophy to me when I was still a romantic in college. Ever since I moved to the States, I knew that it was only a tool for me to survive here. But now (oops, grammtical error), it's all about confidence. I know that I am proficient to communicate (of course not perfectly, but well enough to deal with life). However, I am still discouraged by the environment, by the people, by the reality. I still like it. I remember how the joy it could be when I figured out a word, a phrase, or things like that. I still remember the excitement when I realized that I am improving still. Man, why am I making this posting this sad. Don't be scared~~~ English is fun! English is fun! (Did I just lose my credibility?) Any tips about learning English? Sorry that I don't have anything constructive to say -- but to really USE the language. Listen to it, speak out, read A LOT, and write with it. Most important of all, internally think in English. Talk to yourself in English (not too much, or you probably need a psychiatric). Try not to translate (although it could be very useful sometimes). Don't have the impression "You have the grammar, you have the language." Or "The more vocab I get, I get the language." It'll never work out effectively. Grammar and vocab could only help you build up your language. For example, 学步车 helps toddlers to walk, but having a 学步车 doesn't indicate that a toddler can walk. Use the language, and let grammar and vocab help you later. That's why people proofread or make self-correction, isn't it? Language represents you, not you represent language. So, get your throughts ready. If there's no thoughts/ideas/values/faith, language is in vain. Any other information about yourself? Sorry for talking too much. Now you probably know what kind of field that I am in..... Sigh, it's TESOL. You know how frustrated I am when people expect you to use English perfectly or to be a native speaker. OK. Too much complaining and whinning. Let me end with a rather positive thinking! Proud to be a bilingual! --

※ 发信站: 批踢踢实业坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 70.142.1.181 ※ 编辑: amywan 来自: 70.142.1.181 (03/16 18:31)