CHATTERBOX ENGLISH SCHOOL

My Precious 8 Years At Chatterbox

Saturday 3rd March 2018

One little girl crying terribly and one teacher in a classroom …

This was the day I first met Aretha. I was 3 years old but I clearly remember that day. A few years later I would meet the same teacher, Aretha, again. And so it was, I started going to CHATTERBOX ENGLISH SCHOOL.

In class, I played games, made crafts, read books and talked. To me, not studying, more like play. As I got older, I started learning to write, first a dairy then later, essays about daily news. Sometimes the topics were difficult for me but I didn’t stop thinking about them. I researched about the news both, on Japanese and English websites. I enjoyed discussing the topics from every category with the teacher and other students. I learned so many things, not only English but also science, cooking, and geography. I love Aretha’s lessons so much. And I could use many things that I picked up in the lessons. For example, I have been able to help people who can’t speak Japanese right here in my home city many times. Where I worked part time, there were many tourists visiting from abroad. Some of them couldn’t speak Japanese so I could support them. Though there were English-speaking visitors from China and so on, no other staff, including regular employees, could communicate with the tourists. I was surprised. Everyone had studied English at school but no one could use it. Thanks to my experience of speaking English constantly in class I’m not afraid to talk in English.

In high school, I got high marks in English tests. My friends often asked me how to improve their marks, but I couldn’t quite explain the way, because I remembered English through conversation. But the biggest challenge of my school life was going to England by myself. I took part in a summer school at the college in London at my teacher’s recommendation. There were many teenagers from all over the world. On the first day I talked to some students but I couldn’t make friends and ended up I crying in my room. I worried that I wouldn't cope till the end of the program. But I decided I wouldn’t give up. I talked to as many people as much as I could. I found that conversation with people whom I didn’t know was, in fact, fun. In the end, I made lots of friends, and I still keep in touch with them now. I gained a valuable experience through my trip.

A year after that, I went to Kansas City. I found a flyer about an international exchange program at my high school. I made the quick decision to apply for it. I passed the interview and I spent a great time with my lovely host families. I wouldn’t have applied for it if I hadn’t gone to England by myself.

I have studied at CHATTERBOX for 8 years. I wasn’t always a good student who does their homework every week. I have regrets a little for not doing everything my teacher asked, but I learned so many things and I think I was able to grow up.

I’m going to go to Keio University from this spring but I will never forget the days I spent at CHATTERBOX ENGLISH SCHOOL. I’m looking forward to meeting more people and learn new things so that I can grow up further. I haven’t decided my future job but I hope I play an active part in shaping the world.

Lastly,

Dear Aretha,

Thank you for your support for 8 years. I cannot thank you enough. You have a great sense of humor and you are so affectionate. You’re always thinking about the students and devise different ways to teach English. I really enjoy talking and studying with you. You share your own viewpoints clearly and your way of thinking has stimulated my mind. I respect you not only as my English teacher but also as a woman. You mean a lot to me. I’m glad to have met you. I’m lucky to have been taught by you. I promise to keep learning, and next time I see you, I will show you how much I have developed.

I love you.