My Language Learning --- Part II

Started in my second year of the university, I had attended many English competitions, like English speech contests, English-Mandarin Translation Contests. Still remembering my first time to join the English speech contest, I was so nervous that I even forgot what to say during the speech. Winning a prize was almost impossible for me. But luckily, I won the second prize. That really shocked me and encouraged me to continue on polishing my English speaking. The second time, I was ranked third and the third time, I got No. 1. Totally overwhelmed, it was like a dream. My dear teacher, Lois Brook, taught me a lot about speaking skills and had always supported. I would dedicate the honor to her. For me, she played a critical role in my English learning and my university life.
In the same year, I also attended an English-Mandarin translation contest. Actually this was my third time to join the contest. Not winning any prize before, I did not hold any hope to win. But, who knows? I won the first prize. In that time, good luck seemed to fall on me.
Besides those contests, preparing English proficiency exams had occupied my life. Having an English proficiency certificate was considered a requirement for graduation but it would be an important evidence for others to know one’s English competence. I acquired High-Intermediate Level Certificate in General English Proficiency Test (GEPT), 825 points in TOEIC, 600 points in TOFEL-ITP. It seemed I did well in those exams. Honestly, those exams had taken me several times to obtain them. For me, the best policy was to keep doing exercise and taking it seriously like a real exam. This was what I always told people who want to take language proficiency exams.
After entering the graduate school, no much time spared for learning English. But, all my courses and papers are in English, and many friends and classmates of mine all speak English. They are from the United States, UK, Japan, Sweden, Swiss, Mexico, Chili, China, Costa Rica, Turkey and etc. We meet in class so we all speak English. It is good that we have an international environment. It provides not only an all-English lieu but also a good chance to work with people with different cultures and backgrounds. All of these is due to professor Wang’s efforts. I think all the Wang’s Team members feel grateful.
Last year, I retook TOEIC. I got 895 points. It is good about 5 points to 900 points. What a pity! But, without any preparation, I received a certificate in level three of Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Although I do not have time studying languages, I still want to learn languages. Hope I can graduate soon and spend time on learning languages, like Japanese, French, or Spanish. Have my fingers crossed!