Accepting the Challenge.

96th WD Michelle

The time when I first learned English was about 30 years ago. When I got new textbooks in middle school, the English textbook attracted my attention, especially among the textbooks. The class that made me excited and nervous was my English class. The first expression I learned in English were "Hello, John. How are you?", " I'm fine." I was deeply impressed with that. So, whenever someone says " How are you?" , my answer come out automatically as " I'm fine." In that time, I wrote down alphabet on the four-lined English note, and I memorized many words. Also, I learned grammar. If someone asked me, "Why do you study English hard?" I usually said, "I just like English." In fact, it was not enough to express how much I love English. I had studied English very hard and I loved it until I graduated from college.

I'm a teacher. I've been teaching for 20 years. Since I graduated from college, it's been always my dream to be. It is not too much to say that children are my whole life. I can understand what children are thinking just by looking into their eyes and their gestures. I am a magician who knows everything from children's view. I taught children Korean, mathematics and playing the piano at kindergarten. One day, when I was teaching them, I had a chance to access English class. The class environment was very different from what I had seen in my English class 30 years ago. They had various activities and used many teaching aids which captivated children's attention. The teacher sang a song pleasantly with children as well. Children were enjoying English class and they were communicating with their teacher in English. I was shocked by children's speaking. Our generation couldn't speak even a word, although we learned English for ten years. That was very much different from children these days.

After seeing English lesson, I was getting more passion for English I had forgotten. I wanted to communicate with others in English and teach English to children easily and funny. I wanted to be an English teacher. One day, I decided to transfer to Korea National Open University as a sophomore, to major in English language and literature. And now I am a junior and majoring in English language and literature. I'm in my early 40's, people around me say, " You are enthusiastic.", " You are cool." and " Go for it!" However when I said, " I will get a license of TESOL." , people replied, " It will be difficult.", " It's a waste of time.", " Can you do that?"

I was wondering about myself too, but  I plucked up my courage and I decided to complete the TESOL course. I want to achieve my dream to start with getting a license of TESOL.

I'm taking a TESOL class. It costs me pretty much money and I have to leave my son to my mother early in the morning. Then I come here to take the class. I try really hard to concentrate during the lesson. I sometimes feel nervous and excited at the same time, but most of all I have fun during the lesson. I'm so happy that I can learn many things throughout the class. I want to be a well- qualified teacher so I can teach professionally. I think that eventually my effort and dedication will bear fruit.

I will try to do to the best of my ability!