The Origin of My English is 'Radio Eikaiwa'

It was NHK's 'Radio Eikaiwa' that taught me the joy of learning English.
My encounter with this program changed my life significantly.

An Incident at a Toy Store

When I was in junior college, I was blessed with the opportunity to visit Europe as part of an overseas training program organized by the school. A condition for participation was submitting a history report after the training, and I was lucky enough to travel to five European countries.

I liked English, and my school grades weren't bad. But through this trip, I realized that 'I can't understand or speak English just from exam-based study.'

It happened when I stopped by the long-established British toy store 'Hamleys.' A kind-looking male clerk with a white beard started talking to me.

He used gestures and body language, desperately trying to convey something, but I couldn't understand his words at all.

'Sorry.' 'I don’t understand.'

That was all I could repeat, and the man eventually walked away looking a bit disappointed.

I was in a panic. I was filled with regret and shame, and I felt pathetic, thinking, 'Maybe I missed out on a wonderful opportunity,' and 'I came all the way to England, yet I can't even speak English.'

For a while after returning home, the man's face wouldn't leave my mind (actually, I still remember it today), and my desire to 'learn English' grew stronger day by day.

Encountering Radio Eikaiwa

After I started working, I happened to see the textbook for NHK's 'Radio Eikaiwa' at a bookstore. It was affordable at the time, around 350 yen (how many years ago was that!), and I picked it up thinking, 'I can easily start learning English with this.'

This was my encounter with Radio Eikaiwa, and it was the instructor, Masaaki Osugi, who sparked my passion for English. I was drawn in by his warm personality and dandy, fun chatter, and I gradually began recording the lessons and listening to them over and over again.

Back then, cassette tapes were still the mainstream, and I would repeatedly pronounce and memorize the words and idioms that came up, and I also did shadowing. I also started a simple English diary, writing about my daily life in English, and I listened to English whenever I had time.

As a child, I hated piano lessons and would run away. I also finished my abacus class after just a trial enrollment. However, I liked calligraphy and swimming lessons and continued them for a long time. Things you like aren't a burden; they are fun. I was happy as my collection of Radio Eikaiwa textbooks and cassette tapes grew.

I Want to Study Abroad

As I became able to understand English in chunks little by little, Radio Eikaiwa became even more fun. I also became interested in the English songs that Mr. Osugi would occasionally feature, and I was able to hum along to simple tunes. I felt a sense of excitement.

My hobby, which used to be sports, became English.

On the other hand, although I became a kindergarten teacher because I love children, I wasn't 100% satisfied with my workplace at the time, and these feelings began to sprout.

'I want to broaden my world.'
'I want to try studying abroad.'
'In the future, I want to open an English school for children.'

The origin of my English

If it hadn't been for that incident at the toy store in England, and if I hadn't encountered 'Radio English Conversation,' my life would have been completely different.

Transferring to a university in the U.S. cost both money and time, and the path to getting there was never smooth, but I have no regrets. On the contrary, I enjoyed having various experiences, and I was able to get a job that uses English.

- The Origin of My English is 'Radio English Conversation' -

Even now, when I hear the opening theme song from back then, the excitement of those days comes back to me. (Unfortunately, I let go of the teaching materials when I moved...)Taking the plunge and studying abroad greatly expanded my world.

Learn English and Expand Your World

Learning English grammar is necessary. Without input, you cannot have output.

However, I believe that learning English is not about the goal of obtaining a qualification, but about expanding your world. That is why I want many people to know the joy of learning English. It doesn't have to be difficult English. It's fine to just start with things you are interested in.

And I hope that through English, you will gain more possibilities.