Please at least remember my name before you go

That sounds like the start of a comedian's stand-up routine.

Nice to meet you, my name is Aoi.

I am currently in my 40s and have two children.

I love English and calligraphy; I have Eiken Grade 1 and a TOEIC score of 905.

Right now, my favorite celebrity can speak four languages,

so I'm inspired by that and am currently studying Korean as well.

I started learning English after I became an adult.

I didn't really start studying properly until I was in my 30s.

It was after I gave birth to my first child,

right around the time I was about to finish breastfeeding.

After I gave birth to my second child,

there were times when I was so busy with childcare that I couldn't focus on studying English at all,

but I still managed to keep going somehow.

To begin with, the reason why I started studying English was...

I don't have any confidence in myself.

I didn't exactly grow up in what you would call a good environment.

Every day, I would listen to my parents screaming at each other downstairs while I pressed my ear against the tatami mats in my room upstairs to see what was happening.

Sometimes, I would even witness my mother being punched or kicked by my father.

I was just doing my best to get through each day,

and I couldn't hold onto any hope for the future.

I couldn't believe that I had a bright future ahead of me.

I didn't understand the importance or the wonder of learning at all,

and I spent my student years without ever studying.

I was allowed to go to university as if just following the crowd,

but the university I attended was an F-rank school.

As I grew into an adult, that became a complex for me.

Even though everyone around me was studying properly for entrance exams,

I didn't put in the effort when I should have.

This gradually became a bigger and bigger burden on my mind.

I want to prove that I can do it if I try

I worked hard on learning English with just that feeling.

As for why it was English,

it was because the company I joined after graduation involved trade administration,

and my next job was also in an office where English, Chinese, and Korean were spoken,

so I felt I had to at least be able to speak English!

That was the environment I was in.

It's a pretty simple reason, isn't it? ^^;

The only qualification I earned as a working adult was Eiken Grade 2.

So, in reality, my English learning has mainly been since I became an adult.

Despite having a gap in my career due to childcare,

I continued to study English in a small way,

and now,

I have passed the Eiken Grade 1 exam and achieved a score of 905 on the TOEIC.

The reason I was able to reach that point

is because, through trial and error in my studies,

I found a consistent method of learning.

Thanks to that,

my mom friends from overseas

have told me, "Your English sounds clear,"

and "Your English is perfect."

I have even reached the point where they say things like that,

and my online English conversation teachers

have told me, "There is almost nothing to correct in your English,"

and "I was surprised because you speak English so fluently!"

among other things.

Of course, I think some of that is just flattery. ^^;

My English isn't perfect, you know. ^^

But,

if I see someone from overseas having trouble at the station,

I can speak to them without hesitation.

At my local station, some tourists from overseas

were having trouble figuring out how to buy tickets,

so I spoke to them in English to help them out,

and the station staff

even thanked me,

saying, "Thank you so much!!"

Even if you start learning English as an adult,

if you keep at it, you can definitely reach this level.

Do you feel a little more encouraged now? ^^

It's never too late to start learning English.

And

if you keep at it, you will definitely grow.

What's more,

what I gained while learning English was

not just English proficiency,

but the ability to believe in myself,

thinking, 'I can do it if I try.'

Looking back now,

the various obstacles I overcame

while learning English

were connected in many different situations.

The spirit of not giving up,

or

the importance of persistence,

and so on.

Things that are important for living life—

that is what learning English taught me.

What inspired me to start using note

I have reached this point in my English learning almost entirely through self-study.

The hardest part about studying English on my own was that

I had no one to consult when I ran into problems.

I would hear that dictation was good for improving English skills and try it out,

thinking, "How long am I supposed to keep doing this?"

or "I don't really feel like I'm making any progress."

I was so worried that I would hang my head in despair every single day.

If you are someone who is learning English, I'm sure you have at least once

wondered, "Is this study method right for me?" or "Will my English really improve if I keep doing this?"

I imagine you've had those kinds of worries.

I worried so much that

I even thought,

"I'm just going to quit learning English!"

And I felt that way for quite a long time.

That is why,

If there is anyone out there struggling with English learning like I used to,

I want to tell you,

You are not alone.

My experience might be of some help to you.

That is why I decided to start this note.

Learning English can be tough at times,

but there is a joy that only those who have overcome it can feel.

Let's experience that together. ^^

To be of help to your English learning journey,

I intend to share everything I have gained so far,

without holding anything back in my articles.

As I mentioned earlier,

I graduated from a low-tier university,

and sadly, I cannot say I am particularly smart.

Even so, I managed to pass the Eiken Grade 1 and score 905 on the TOEIC.

The study methods used by someone like me, who is below average,

I believe there is no reason why you cannot do the same and succeed.

Please read the articles and use them to improve your English skills.

I hope your English learning will continue to make great leaps forward. ^^

I look forward to a long and lasting relationship with you. ^^

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