Essay 1-03b: Language Learning Histories

I have learned three languages (including my mother tongue: Japanese) by now. I like learning languages, and I enjoy it. I’ll look back upon how I learned languages. Moreover, I want to learn more languages, so I’ll tell you. The following is my language learning histories.

When I was a baby, I cried and laughed instead of speaking languages. As I grew up, I was taught Japanese by parents and grandparents. I imitated their voices, so I could speak Japanese. I heard that the word I first speak was “mama” from my mother. When I was a child, I went to the nursery school. I learned language from teachers and friends. I like teachers, so I always talked with them. Moreover, teachers read picture books and told stories illustrated with picture cards. Also, I always played and talked with my friends. When I heard words I didn’t know, I imitated and used the words right away.

I started to learn Japanese when I was in elementary school. First, I learned hiragana, katakana and kanji. After that, I read simple writings and wrote compositions at the classes. I came to be able to read and write. When I was in junior high school, I started to learn ancient writings in addition to modern language. Also, I took Kanken. I studied kanji very hard, and I passed it. When I was in high school, I read more difficult writings. I also learned grammar of ancient writings and Chinese writings, and I came to be able to read classics. As I studied Japanese, I could increase my vocabulary.

I started to have interest in English when I was a child. I like Disney anime very much, so my mother bought me English teaching materials. I used them, and I enjoyed learning English while I played with them. I started to go to English conversation school every Saturday when I was in the 4th grade in elementary school. First, I learned alphabet and pronunciations. After that, I learned basic conversations. I enjoyed learning English there, so I came to like English. When I became a junior high school student, I started to learn basic grammar and reading. I also took Eiken. I joined speech contests and stage a play at a school festival. I met a foreigner, and I had a lot of memories with her. She is ALT of my English class. In addition to English class, she taught me English one-to-one when I decided to participate in speech contest and take Eiken. I appreciated her cooperation. When I was in high school, I learned more difficult grammar and reading. Now, I’m majoring in English in my college. I try hard to improve four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. I want to get 700 points or more in TOEIC!

I learned German last year. I chose German because I’m interested in it. I learned grammar and pronunciation. I thought there are similarities between German and English. I could enjoy learning German, but it is very difficult for me. I can’t speak German, so I want to learn conversation in German.

I want to learn other languages. First, I want to learn Korean because I’m interested in Korea. I like K-pop music and Korean dramas. Second, I want to learn Chinese because China has developed rapidly recently. Lastly, I want to learn Italian because Italy is attractive to me. Italy is the place I want to visit the most.

In this way I learned languages. And more, I will continue to learn languages. I showed my interest in English when I was a child, which is a start I learn languages. I like learning languages now, so I want to enjoy studying. I think it is the best to learn languages I am interested in and want to learn. I want to improve my skills of English and other languages!

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