Chang-Min Ji / literacy autobiography.

Chang-min Ji 200503311

Jon H. Bahk-Halberg

Intermediate English Writing(1)

March 15th.

 

A Country Boy's English Story

 

I, a student majoring E.I.T. in HUFS, am Chang-min Ji. Actually I had a hard time studying English in this school, when entering here as a freshman. I thought that I had no talent for studying a language and I had to drop out of college for my ridiculous ability on English, especially speaking and listening. Let me start to talk about it more specifically.

Before that time(entering the university), I don't have seen any foreigner except for viewing TV programs, still less talking with him or her. Because I came from a country, Andong in Gyeongsang Provinces, in which most students can't learn 'real' English as well as don't have an opportunity of encountering a good English teacher or an alien. So at that time I also experienced a kind of culture shock. I could understand only 1~5% of my professor's lecture. But my classmates, who had taken some years to live abroad or gotten a good education in Korea, spoke anything fluently like natives, which make my voice trailed off and my courage declined. Whenever remembering that time, I still feel terrible.

At first semester, I took introductory courses such as English Grammar, Writing, Conversation, Translation, Reading and some liberal arts courses. Eventually, I got an A+ in Writing and Translation class but F in Conversation class which means that I didn't understand most of my native professor's instructions and never answer 'any' question in the class. (Frankly speaking, I seemed like a speech-impaired boy in front of many 'female'-classmates which made me very shy and hard.) Even though I did my best really and desperately, I fell into despair. It was obviously my inability. I felt as if I had to leave the HUFS, where the best and highest courses, in Korea, of English are underway.

But I has risen from the bitters, completed my sophomore courses, and continued junior courses now. I am 'still' a student majoring E.I.T. in HUFS. I attribute all making me courageous to my professors, especially Yeon-hi Ha in Translation class and Young-sim Lee in English Writing. In spite of my ridiculous ability, they gave me (including other students) courage and a wide range of knowledge, as well as paid careful but inconspicuous attention. Whenever thinking back to the days, I cannot thank her and other professors too much.

Since then, I started serving my military service from 2006 and went back to school in 2009. Until now I have taken great classes in the university and experienced many things out of the university.

For example, I took a chance to meet foreigners including John who is English but dwells at Paju in Korea. The accidental meeting made me know British culture such as Beatles' songs. But the most important thing improving my reading and grammar is to have taught high school students as a tutor. To teach them, I should read many books and study deep into 'each' sentence. In addition, explained over again, grammar contents has been memorized of itself.

And now, the big problems remained to me are Writing and Speaking skills. I hope that my writing paper be corrected delicately and thoroughly. I believe it is possible at this semester because the number of students attending Jon Bahk-Halberg's Intermediate English Writing class is just 8. It is a nice chance to me in terms of improving my English.

That will be my literacy autobiography. Thank you.