Before I start recalling my learning journey, please do allow me to do a brief introduction about myself. I am an ordinary Malaysian girl. My initial planning before I got the offer from NUS was just to stay in Malaysia and apply to the local universities. But I guess everything just turned out to be so different and now I am here in NUS.
To be honest, English had never been my first language back in Malaysia. I normally speak Mandarin with my parents and most of the subjects that I took during my pre-U were taught in Malay.I am not a big fan of English, so I find it pretty hard for me to build up the interest in reading English novels like what my peers usually did. Although we do have our own Malaysian University English Test (MUET), and I managed to score a Band 5, which is 220/300 marks, I know that I still have more to learn especially in terms of essay writing.
Hence I was really worried when I knew that I will be studying in NUS, such a prestigious university with English as the main communicating language. So, I end up regretting that I should have pushed myself harder before I came here. After I sat for my Qualifying English Test, I got Band 2, for me I was really grateful as I expect that I might be getting Band 1 instead. I think some of you still remember that I considered myself introvert due to my limitations in language, which is really a main concern for me.
However, I am glad to have the chance to study
ES1102. Although I just attended the first class but I do feel relaxed and
I look forward to attending the remaining classes. Hopefully after 12 week’s ‘training’,
then I will be able to upgrade my language skills and also to meet new friends. I believe that it is never too late to start a journey and I
feel lucky to have everyone in ES1102 as my companion. Let’s embark on this
journey together and we shall see our changes throughout the whole process.
Edited on 2nd September 2014.
