A person who has been an inspiration to me is my English teacher at junior high school. He lived in the same hometown as me. He taught me English when I was a first year student at junior high school and he said he loved teaching English. This is why I think he teaches students English. However, I have not kept in touch with him since I graduated from junior high school so I don’t know exactly what he does or where he lives now. He taught me a lot of things and inspired me.

First of all, when I entered junior high school and took an English class for the first time in my life, I was very nervous and worried if I could catch up with the class. This is because I didn’t know what English is or how to write an alphabet and use it at that time. However, my English teacher taught me English kindly and whenever I had questions, he listened closely to my questions and answered them. I was encouraged to study English hard by him.

Second, he told me joy of learning English. There were ten minutes to listen to English music and watch English movies at the end of a class. He explained about expressions which are used in the movies or music. In addition, sometimes he told me about cultures outside of Japan. I became interested in foreign cultures. I have been listening to songs and watching movies in English since I started taking his class even if I don’t know the meanings of words or phrases.

Third, he told me his own experience in other countries. He visited many countries as a student and tourist so he had a lot of experience and knowledge of foreign countries and cultures. Especially, I strongly remember the story of his study abroad experience. The most vivid memory of his story was his first study abroad in Canada. He met many people from all over the world and said that his life totally changed. I was never bored with his stories. After listening to his story, I had wanted to study abroad and I could finally come here to study.

In conclusion, if I had not met him, I would not have been interested in foreign cultures and wanted to study abroad. I might not study English hard. I’m sure that he has been a strong impact on my life. I want to be a person who can let someone get interested and inspire someone else with a lot of fun like him in the future.

My Teacher Linda

My Teacher Linda

 

My senior school teacher who is called Linda has inspired me a lot since I studied at high school. She lived in the countryside while she taught me. However, she was usually the first teacher who came to the office. She often wears a white T-shirt with dark blue trousers which makes her a little bit strict. When I entered my classroom on my high school orientation day, she was wearing those clothes as well, which has given a deep impression. Now I will refer to three reasons why I have been significantly inspired by her.

One reason is that she put her trust in me which encouraged me to do my best. Because of my weak performance in my entrance exam, I did not become a member of the top class. Still, she elected me as a monitor to manage our class when I volunteered my service. I thought that my enthusiasm probably affected her. Fortunately, I became an example, which other monitors who come from different classes came to learn how I manage classes and organize activities, in my high school because of her trust.

Another is that she paid attention to cultivate me in terms of public speaking skill. Before taught by Linda, I frequently used pet phrases when I spoke to others especially in the public. My first time to give a speech on behalf of freshman was brought about by Linda’s recommendation and she couched me patiently for two hours per day after classes. For example, she taught me how to control the rhythm and keep an eye contact to the audience. Every time I think of my first speech as a presenter in that orientation ceremony, the memories come flooding back.

Becoming my mentor is the third reason, for she has helped me greatly. When I am confused or dejected, she usually encourages me to be brave and calm. For instance, I could not understand English classes when I came to New Zealand to study English, and want to give up studying immediately. However, her company and stimulation have influenced me to face and solve difficulties positively. I can communicate more confidently than before. Although we do not meet as often as before, she has already become my mentor.

In conclusion, if I had not met her, what would have happened? I believe I might not be the brave, enthusiastic and confident person at present. 

 

 

 

PERSON WHO HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME

One of the persons who has inspired me most is Mrs Dau Nguyen, a teacher at secondary school in the northern region of Vietnam. I first met her when I moved to grade 8 at Thuyson Secondary School. She was our homeroom teacher.

When I was at secondary school, Vietnam educations especially in the North were so different than what you see today. Teachers were the only ones with privileges to talk and give conclusions in class. Students were educated to strictly follow orders and do exactly what they were told to do. No questions or comments were welcomed.

My class was very lucky to see Mrs Dau and to have her as our homeroom teacher. She was so different from others in this era of principle and punishment schools. By giving students chances to prove themselves and encouraging them to speak out and to ask questions, my classmates and I made amazing advancement in just a couple terms.

Despite the negative comments and conclusions of previous teachers, she was the one recognised the potential capabilities of pupils and always believed her pupils could made progress under her instruction.

Not only doing an awesome work in class, she spent time seeing every single student’s home in order to better understand as well as raised fund to help poverty family. As a result, one of my neighbourhood friends could continue studying and complete high school.

I was considered a naughty boy with a pre-intermediate level of study when I first met my teacher. Thanks to her guidance in the last 2 years at secondary school, I made progress not only in studying which I jumped to top 3 of class but also in behaviour and responsibility. My life would have been going in another direction if I had not met her.

The person who really inspires my life is my dear father

 

My father was born in the year 1945 in a remote village in Haiphong province, in the north of Vietnam.  He married in 1970. He has three sons and one daughter. I am the second son and born in 1974. His main job is a farmer: cultivating rice and raising pig, chicken.

Why my father has inspired my life? There are a number of reasons as follows:

Firstly, I am luckily present on earth because he is my father. He gave me life that is the most important and valuable thing I have. It means “no father, no son”.

Secondly, because my family has been living in a remote and poor area, the schools and teachers are very limited. He taught me and my brothers from the beginning, for example reading, writing as well as simple math during our childhood. In addition, he gave how to do the farming work, one of his most loved things, such as rice cultivating, raising buffalos, pigs and chickens. That is the first learnt lesson I never forget in my life.

Thirdly, He is a disciplined person because he served in the army from 1965 to 1969. Therefore the mandatory requirements have affected his character. His character and his teaching help me a lot for my current management’s work.

Finally, He is a hard working person and contributed his whole life for his family.  Now, everything I have, such as the better education and the high in come job, the majority parts he brought to us. He has sacrificed for his children and his family.

Thank you very much dear Dad. Your life, your responsibility and your love for the family have truly inspired me in the path of my life.

 

My Dream Adventure

 My dream adventure is round-world-trip by bicycle and staying at tent by myself. I think this travel will spend about 2 years. The aim of this travel is to make friends with many people to exchange each other's experience. When I am 70 years old, I wish I will leave Japan and arrive at the U.S.. Moreover I'm planning to come back to Japan via South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Absolutely the bike or tent will be broken or I will be killed by some animals. However if I think positively, nothing is scared.
 Surely it is important to have a big dream, but I need to see current situation. I have a lot of things to do such as to save money and to improve my English skill and abilities of overcoming difficulties. I think in the distant future, to do things I want to do, I need to prepare from now. I also think with many experience, I will tackle many problems.
 Therefore when I grow up as a mature man, I 'd like to do a round-world-trip by bicycle by myself.

a dream adventure

     At first, I was going to write down about a dream journey such as going to future or past, but there was a constraint that I have to use an air plane. Then, I'm ganna plan about my journey to Spain.
     Spain has a lot of sightseeing like Sagrada Familia, The Alhambla and Generalife Gardens and the Great Mosque and is the third country which has quite a few world heritage sites next to Italy and China. In addition to that, Spain has many famous artists like Dali and Picasso. So we can enjoy seeing stuffs which is likely in another world. Moreover, Spain is known as the country which is famous for delicious food like paella. I wanna try to taste them and cook.
     The reason I wanna have a trip to Spain isn’t only such visible cultures, but also their unique way of thinking and mind. Spanish people like to be passionately and tell their love directly, and also, they use their time flexibly especially on work. It looks comfortable and quite a different from Japanese cultures, so I envy them:( I wanna experience such life and be open minded more than now!
     But the difference of culture like how using time or what measures they take to communicate with others may make me confused. I don’t know whether I can accept myself to such way of thinking or not. In addition to that, also there is a language barrier so I should learn at least how to say hello and introduce my name in Spanish haha.
     Although there are some problems, I really wanna visit there, because they must be a learning experience and let me expand my points of view.
     Probably, as I think I’ll miss Japanese food or my family if I go to travel longer, I wanna enjoy my dream adventure in a short term:)

A Dream Adventure by Judy

A Dream Adventure

After graduating from University, I extremely want to climb K2, at 8,611 meters above sea level, which is the second highest mountain in the world. It is located on the China-Pakistan border between Baltistan and China. One of the reasons I choose K2 instead of Qomolangma to ascend is that there are not many climbers to go there. In particular, only 367 people have completed the ascent until June 2018. Another is that K2 is the farthest mountain from the area of human being activities. 

‘Traveling off the beaten track’ is my motto. I definitely believe that this trial run of climbing on K2 will be a valuable learning experience, in terms of challenging my endurance and perseverance. I am immediately keen to set off on the epic journey.