An English Language Learning Adventure August 14, 2014

Tamila came to us from Russia, sharing her experiences as an English language learner:

Have you ever wanted to visit a country that is thousands of miles away?  Well, I would guess yes.  During my childhood, my greatest dream was to see New York City.  So I registered for a language school, applied for a visa, and soon I was walking out of JFK airport.  You know, the funny thing is that many people who study English in their home countries are pretty sure that they will at least be able to understand something once they come to an English-speaking country.  And this was what I thought: of course, I had been studying the language for ten years in Russia!  However, when a taxi driver asked me where to go, I barely could tell him the address. I was terrified!  I was eighteen, and I was alone in one of the biggest cities in the world.

The next day I started my ESL program at the language school.  The only thing I hoped for was that the program would help me to improve my English.  However, the school itself did much more.  First of all, I realized that I am not the only person who was nervous to be here.  I made a lot of friends from different parts of the world with whom I still keep in touch.  Later, I even visited them: I was in Japan, South Korea, and France.

Second, I really improved my English.  And I guess I will be forever thankful to my ESL teachers: because of them, I was able to study further and get my associate degree.  Third, my first four months in NYC was a time of great exploration, fun activities, and learning about different cultures.  Where else you would have the opportunity to learn about so many cultures at once?  Well, this is the place.  Finally, the most important thing that has happened to me was that I’ve become more confident about myself (hey, not every girl would come here at eighteen =)), because I realized that if a person really wants to do something, he or she will do it.

So it’s been already six years that I am here.  Many things have changed since that time. However, I have never regretted coming here.  What I want to say is that you should never hesitate about going somewhere, seeing something, and exploring things.  I know you might be scared at the beginning and that’s normal.  However, soon you will realize that it probably be the most exciting experience in your life!

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City