ESL Experience

Hi everyone again,

Hope all of you are doing well with your English learning. It is already one year since I first came to Vancouver and wrote my very first blog post. I have learned English at Langara for one year and today, I want to share my experience as well as my thought about this ESL program with everyone.

I started LEAP program with the lowest level to the highest level, which is from level 3 to level 6. Each level takes seven weeks to finish. When I first started level 3, I had not get used to the way of learning here, so I felt very stressful. I was so afraid that I would fail the course. All of my LEAP courses are typical formal education. The classes take place in a classroom with a teacher teaches and students listen.

I found the way teachers in Canada teach English is different from Vietnam. In Vietnam, usually learning goes from one direction only, which is students learn from teachers. In Canada, learning occurs not only from teachers to students, but also from students to students. At Langara, teachers always ask students to discuss a topic or a question with their fellows, and then share their ideas with the whole class. However, in Vietnam, the teachers ask question and students raise their hands to answer the question. After all, I prefer the way of learning in Canada than in Vietnam because I can learn not only from the teachers, but also from my friends. Sometimes, they can let me see a problem from another perspective that I would never think of. It is also an opportunity for me to interact with my friends, and practice my communication skills.

Throughout all of my courses, I found out that my reading and writing skills are ok. However, I still need work on my listening and speaking skills. Thus, I want to improve my listening and speaking skills. I tried to speak to my friends and my teachers as much as possible when I was in classes. Outside of classes, I also want to practice my English skills, so I applied for some volunteer positions. I got two volunteer jobs. One is a cashier for a gift shop at St. Paul's hospital, and the other one is a personal shop assistant for elderly. Both volunteer jobs gave me a chance to talk to more people to help enhance my English skills. Now, I feel that I am getting better. I am much more confident in communicating with other people now compared to when I just came to Vancouver.

Overall, I think I made the right decision to study English before applying for university. It has prepared me all the English skills that I need in my future study and career as well. I got accepted into UBC. With an effort that I put into learning English in this one-year period, I am confident to say that I am ready for my next journey.

Cheers,

Winnie