A Truly Effective Way of Learning English: Interaction and Teaching
71th, weekday, Changwoo Lee(Charlie)
 
     Speaking in a foreign language itself is one of the most fascinating things one can do. Through a different language one can look into new worlds and dimensions he or she might not see without the help of the language. In this respect, English has been the door to a new world. As a learner, as a student of English and linguistics, as a teacher of English, and as a researcher, learning or acquiring English has been at the heart of my life in many aspects. Even though I cannot say that I fully feel free to speak in English now with so many years having passed, I can say, with more confidence, of better ways of acquiring English based on effective moments to me. I categorized this into three: classroom learning, interacting, and teaching. 
     When I was young, English was not part of a well organized business like these days. My parents just bought me a few books and audio tapes. I could only learn several words and expressions. In middle school, as the whole country did, the grammar-translation method was the only way we learned: reading and interpreting, grammatical analysis, memorizing dialogues, solving questions. Through this, I could learn vocabulary, grammar, and expressions, but they couldn't be used for real communication. In my mid-twenties, I happened to enroll a TOEIC class. The teachers there were native speakers of English. Their teaching was similar to the GTM. I studies really hard at that time, but it's quite dubious whether my communication skills really improved. After that, I enrolled a course for the preparation of admission to the college of interpretation and translation. It was in reality an intensive course. We had two hours of classes a day, but everyday I had to spend almost 14 hours studying English including translation from English to Korean, and Korean to English, listening, dictating and memorizing, etc. Mr. Han, the teacher of this course, didn't look to use a variety of teaching methods. All he did seemed just giving homework and changing turns when students made mistakes. Yet I felt my English was really improving. He encouraged us continuously to do homework and it was successful because he himself was a hard worker and a good role model who had succeeded by his own method. The fact that he used authentic material such as Time magazines and ABC news clips was another reason of success. What I studied with him still remains a great asset to me. Turning back, He was some kind of enabler. 
     As listed above, learning from formal classes made some crucial basis for English, but they could not succeed in opening my mouth. Even after taking Mr. Han's classes, speaking in English looked, to me, like a huge mountain refusing my footsteps. When I happened to meet a former teacher, a native speaker of English, I was not able to say anything at that moment. I became so frustrated. But this barrier could be lifted gradually in the process of participating English mediated work. I started to attend English assemblies and English congregation meetings every week. These regular meetings gave me chances to think in English things relevant to me. In addition, language change with a Korean-American named Sean was also greatly helpful. She was the visiting professor of the University, and really beautiful and smart. Because we were almost the same age, we can be closer, and I became more motivated affectively. With these experiences, English became realer to me and it was made possible to communicate in English. 
     Finally, teaching experiences has also helped me acquiring this language. Fortunately, I have had experienced a variety of settings: from preschool children to the elderly, from beginners to upper intermediate, from kindergarten to university. I have also dealt with various areas including listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, English linguistics, TOEIC, etc. As a teacher, I should admit that I have been more like an explainer, these variety of settings and subject matters have made me understand more and be more communicative by preparation and by doing together with students. 
     My experience shows learning English in the traditional classroom settings, though it can give basic grounds, is not really helpful in terms of communication, especially in speaking. Substantial progress can only be made through real interaction in real situations. Teaching can also enhance and deepen the progress. Therefore, interacting and teaching should be emphasized more in learning English. (748 words)