A Year On...

I remember it was around autumn last year when I arrived in Tsukuba. How time flies…! Without my noticing it, a year has gone by!

Now looking back, I remember—with fondness and chagrin!—the steps I took to settling in, finding my way around, making friends and meeting people, and learning about life and living in Japan.

A year later, I can now confidently ride a bicycle, eat
natto and raw egg for breakfast, and speak enough Japanese to be able to ask for directions in case I get lost. I have grown as a person.

One year on, I realize I have accomplished much, yet there is still much that needs to be done. What has changed? What can I do to be better?

It is good to take stock of our life every now and then, to see how far we have gone, where we wish to go, and what we want to do.

In the same way, how have your English skills progressed over the year?

Some of you may be pleased to discover that you can now recognize what were formerly unintelligible English sounds, and that you can now really understand a dialog. Perhaps without even realizing it, your listening and speaking skills have grown to a point where you can comfortably communicate with other people in English—something which you might have thought impossible before.

Or...are you stuck in a rut? Does it feel like things have come to a standstill? Is there anything that you need to change, anything that you can improve upon?

Pause, reflect, and take action. Remember, every day is a chance to be better.

And should you have any questions about how to go about your English journey,
English Now! is here to help you along the way to excellent English.

It certainly has been a wonderful year filled with many lessons and beautiful memories.

Claire