Emma
Have you ever experienced that someone said something to you with brutal honest?
I'm writing down about my experience while studying abroad in Alaska. I'm currently in my senior year in my college and started to practice speaking English just 2 years ago. I studied English in Alaska for 7 months. I was supposed to be there for 10 months but I came back to Japan because of the virus. First couple months I couldn't convey what I wanted to say. That made me lose confidence. However, I gradually got used to speak English in halfway through. Even I realized I made a lot of mistakes, I didn't care about it because English is not my first language and I'm learner for good. In 6 months passed, my friend learning English called me. It's been a while and we were talking about what we've been up to. I really enjoyed the talking and I thought I could show him how my English improved, but the thing is happened. In the end, he seemed to want to say something so I said " Do you wanna say something?" Then he said, " Mmmm, I thought your English hadn't improved than I've expected." I was freaking out in my mind. He said my lack of vocabulary and simple grammar made him think so. I know he tried to encourage me to study harder the remaining time there, but I lost my all confidence that I built for a half year and his harsh word is still my mind. The thing is he hasn't stayed abroad for a long time so he don't actually know how difficult, how hard you learn a language in real world. Fortunately, I haven't seen him yet. Do you have experienced like that?
Jun 13, 2020 10:26 AM
Comments · 11
7
First of all what kind of friend is this ? don´t talk to him anymore. Don´t overrate the truth , the only truth here is that we are all learning one or two languages , we are trying our best and sooner or later the fluency will come along.
Your language partners should be helpful only to make you speak and listen without judging your language level, not even teachers do that.
Forget about your ' friend ' comment and keep learning , practising and making errors ...
June 13, 2020
5
Hi Emma, I’m sorry your confidence got shaken by his words. I can’t help but wonder, though - if he’s not a native speaker, how can he judge your English level correctly? Hope you won’t be bothered too much by his words and let me wish you good luck. Your written English seems good to me, so keep up the great work! 😊
As for your question, I heard that my pronunciation was not easy to understand during my stay in the UK - and I was also told that my English sounded unnatural and too formal (I had had few chances to speak English) - it really made me so embarrassed and discouraged at that time!
June 13, 2020
4
I agree that if your "friend" is not a native English speaker, how can he really tell how much you have improved? Maybe he is jealous of your progress or the opportunity you had to travel. I don't think that there is a way to become fluent in another language without making a LOT of mistakes along the way. Don't give up, and consider finding another language partner!
If it makes you feel better, I traveled to Quebec, Canada, and was told by a waitress there that I should not come back to Quebec until my French improved!
June 13, 2020
3
When I saw the title, my first thought was “honesty is good”, but frankly, your friend is wrong. Like DavidK says, English and Japanese are as far apart as you can imagine. Not many English speakers are fluent in Japanese, and a Japanese person can’t expect to be fluent in English in three months. Your written English is coming along very nicely (it’s as good as some of the tutors’), so you have every reason to be happy. Just keep up the good work, one day at a time. While stuck at home, you’re already at a level where you can improve by enjoying the same TV shows that native speakers watch. Have fun!
June 13, 2020
2
I believe that others have summed it up very well. I just want to add that honesty is not the problem here. You didn't meet someone else's expectations. That doesn't really matter, does it? You went to another country to improve your English. You were around native speakers. You were exposed to their language. If this person is learning English by studying grammar and vocabulary, that is a completely different process. Your progress might not be visible to him because it doesn't show the way he expects it to show. He doesn't know how much better you understand native speakers now. Inside your brain, a lot has happened. You've noticed the difference yourself. That is what really matters.
June 13, 2020
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Emma
Language Skills
English, Japanese
Learning Language
English
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