"My English Story"
Feb. 16th, 2008 02:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lishesquexSo, I mentioned in my last post that on Orientation Day that we already got a shitload of homework. Today I did some of my readings, and also wrote a short 300 word thing for Learning Area English 1 which I have to post on the class discussion boards. Probably later though, because at the moment only the 2 professors have posts up, and if I post now I'll look like the total nerd that I am for doing homework on a Friday night. Lolz.
Anyway, this is what I wrote:
When I started my first day of primary school in Australia, I’d been taught only one sentence of English by my parents, and that was “I need to wee wee”. Amazingly, the then five year old me managed to survive (relatively) unscathed from the humiliation and playground teasing that followed, and many years later, here I am, with the intention to become an English teacher.
English was not my first language, but it has become my native tongue. Growing up in Mornington, which, in the 90s, had a Chinese migrant population of approximately three (that is, me and my parents), I had to adapt quickly if I was to communicate with anyone beyond my immediate family. And I did – to the point where I forgot most of my first language, and my dad would yell futilely at me to speak Chinese when talking to him. Parental dismay increased exponentially when I chose to study subjects such as Old English and Old Norse in university, instead of something more “useful”.
During my somewhat isolated childhood, I developed an intense love of stories. Anything in a narrative form interested me, and I was especially enamoured by the fantastical. The English language was my portal into that realm.
When I chose to pursue a career in teaching, English was a natural choice for me because I love language. As a former linguistics student, I admire the intricacies and mysteries of language. As a migrant, I know that language is a crucial part of identity and culture – the glue that holds together societies. And as a person, the English language is enjoyment, through entertainment such as books, music and films; the gaining of friendships; and the expression of oneself.
P.S. I foresee many, many future posts about My New Life as a Teaching Candidate AKA Student Teacher, and many of them will probably be quite boring. I can put those who are uninterested on a filter if you'd like. Just comment and say the word. :)
P.P.S. Also, once I start my placements, I think a lot of these entries will be friends locked (just in case an inquisitive student stumbles upon this LJ - should be unlikely since I've all but disassociated my real name from "lishesque" on the internet, but still). So to those who want to read my entries but are not currently friended/on LJ (*pointed look at Lucia*), you should probably join LJ and/or ask to be friended. ;)
Anyway, this is what I wrote:
///
When I started my first day of primary school in Australia, I’d been taught only one sentence of English by my parents, and that was “I need to wee wee”. Amazingly, the then five year old me managed to survive (relatively) unscathed from the humiliation and playground teasing that followed, and many years later, here I am, with the intention to become an English teacher.
English was not my first language, but it has become my native tongue. Growing up in Mornington, which, in the 90s, had a Chinese migrant population of approximately three (that is, me and my parents), I had to adapt quickly if I was to communicate with anyone beyond my immediate family. And I did – to the point where I forgot most of my first language, and my dad would yell futilely at me to speak Chinese when talking to him. Parental dismay increased exponentially when I chose to study subjects such as Old English and Old Norse in university, instead of something more “useful”.
During my somewhat isolated childhood, I developed an intense love of stories. Anything in a narrative form interested me, and I was especially enamoured by the fantastical. The English language was my portal into that realm.
When I chose to pursue a career in teaching, English was a natural choice for me because I love language. As a former linguistics student, I admire the intricacies and mysteries of language. As a migrant, I know that language is a crucial part of identity and culture – the glue that holds together societies. And as a person, the English language is enjoyment, through entertainment such as books, music and films; the gaining of friendships; and the expression of oneself.
///
P.S. I foresee many, many future posts about My New Life as a Teaching Candidate AKA Student Teacher, and many of them will probably be quite boring. I can put those who are uninterested on a filter if you'd like. Just comment and say the word. :)
P.P.S. Also, once I start my placements, I think a lot of these entries will be friends locked (just in case an inquisitive student stumbles upon this LJ - should be unlikely since I've all but disassociated my real name from "lishesque" on the internet, but still). So to those who want to read my entries but are not currently friended/on LJ (*pointed look at Lucia*), you should probably join LJ and/or ask to be friended. ;)
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la la luce says:
Date: 2008-02-16 01:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-18 12:34 am (UTC)wow.
loved it!!!!
Also super keen to read about your exploits as a teaching student, so don't filter me or I'll filter your ass!!! :p
I will email you later, at the moment we are crazy stupid busy at work :(