元教師から一言(番外編）：英語を楽しもう（English ver.）

Hello there,

So today, I would like to talk about English.  I thought it would be a great help for me if I write it in English because it'll show off my English level in an obvious way. People who are interested in English usually have a sneaky interest in other's English. They try to find mistakes and errors! But it's okay, I just love using English and also it would be a great exercise for me.  And also I guess people who can read this naturally have a knowledge of English as much I do or more. 

I also wanted ask people what makes you to say you're at a "certain" level of English. There are so many job offers in Japan looking for "certain" level of English and I wonder what is it.

My English is not perfect, as if you were an English native speaker, you'll notice many mistakes and errors I make, but hey, you can understand what I'm talking about and I believe that's enough for communicating. I mean, if you're working on some academical or govermential projects, then you should be really careful about all the rules and grammar but at daily level, enough is enough.

As you can see, my written skill is like this. Well I wrote two theses back in my graduate school era but that was all with my great proffesors' help. I studied and worked so hard to get their help and I succeeded to have two American and one British proffesors to help me with my theses and that was a huge help. By the way, if you're a student trying to write essays or thesis in English, work hard for your professor, you'll definetely need their help. Seriously. I know it sounds a bit nasty, but connection is essential and if you make it by yourself, it's not so dirty, I guess.

And for my speaking skill, I think I'm good enough to say I'm fluent at it. I'm actually much better at it than writing. Since my reason why I got into English are "Music" and "Novel". I loooove English songs and English novels especially YA, more concretely Fantasy. So when I was in junior high, I wrote my favorite English lyrics in English over and over until I can sing it without seeing it. Of course, I tried to copy the sound too. This made my pronunciation sounds better than other Japanese and I'm proud of it. Well, don't get me wrong, I stand for World Englishes (in other term, Various Englishes) and I think having accents is tortally fine but it's just sometimes I can't get over with those Japanese female English with flatter sound... why do they speak so voluptuously...? (I think you can guess why though.)

Anyway. I 'll try to put my English recording someday in the near  future, so if you have time, click and listen to me. Tell me what do you think in return with your English!

Let's get back to the topic, so do you think I can say I'm at the "certain level"? What is the "certain level"? How do you define "certain"?

My simple answer is, if you're enjoying your English communicating with others, then you're at the certain level.
If you're enjoying, it means you are not feeling much stress or pressure and not struggling to built the sentences. That's what I mean "certain".
It doesn't matter how many words, phrases or grammar you know because if you cannot use them, that's meaningless!

If you're writing business mails in English without worry, then you're already certain.
If you're talking with English without having second thoughts, then you're already certain.

I mean, if you're aiming for the super upper level like academical or cultivated way of speaking and writing, then it's a whole different topic, but for business, for communication, above statement is basically the conclusion.

---Yes, I know I'm terrible at articles but you know what I mean, don't be too captious.

Then you wonder how can you get "certain" level?

Simple again, enjoy studying English!

This is it, there is nothing other than this. Clarify what area do you like to read, talk and learn and do it with English instead of Japanese. Or in two languages at the same time. Mine is a really good example of this, I enjoyed studying English with writing and singing English songs. It became one of my behavior. And now, look at me, I think I'm at the certain level!

It's so much fun if you enjoy learning it. Not only English but any thing. Try to enjoy first, act like you are enjoying it and someday you'll enjoy everything somehow. I'm not there yet with other subjects but I'm getting there. I'm trying to enjoy everything. 

Thank you for reading and have a lovely life. Enjoy!