How daydreaming in English helps with speaking
Last Friday...
I was walking through the Tokyu Toyoko Line area at Shibuya Station when someone spoke to me.
Excuse me?
they said.
It was the first time I'd ever been spoken to in English within Japan!
Whoa!!!
Having studied English for a long time and having been an English master in junior high and high school, I've always thought that
as long as I'm in Japan, unless I actively seek out opportunities to speak English,
I'll never have a chance to actually use it!
So, especially when I was in high school, I used to wish that a foreign tourist at the station would talk to me.
(You should have talked to them yourself!)
And I often daydreamed about the scenario where I would respond smoothly in English when someone asked me for help.
(Is that a bit 'chuunibyou'? Haha)
And then, the moment finally arrived!
The question they asked was this:
↓↓↓
How can we get to New South Exit?
How do I get to the New South Exit?
Um, uh, New South Exit???
Wait, where is that!!!
I thought. Haha.
That's right, no matter how much I've practiced imagining myself responding in English,
there's no way I have the complex layout of Shibuya Station in my head!
Instantly,
Let me search on my phone.
Let me look it up on my phone for a second.
I said, and tried searching for the station map, but I didn't even know where I was currently located myself...!
If it were for a transfer, I could tell the direction immediately by looking at the signs, but the exits weren't listed on the signs.
If even Japanese people get lost, it's no wonder an unfamiliar tourist would get lost too... *sob*
After struggling for about a minute, the tourist gave off an air of 'it's okay now.' Oh dear...
But, you know?
If I don't help them here, these people are going to be lost forever, right?
I really felt that I, as someone who can speak English, had to help them.
And become a hero. *Sparkle* *Glint* *Sparkle*
(Purely self-satisfaction)
So, ultimate technique:
Can you follow me, please?
Can you follow me?
I summoned it! Bam!
The tourist gave me a very suspicious look... (bitter laugh)
But there was no other way! *Shing!*
For now, I decided to take them to the ticket gate and execute the 'ask the station staff' strategy!
I mean, I asked the station staff a question and then translated it into English for them.
That's pretty good, isn't it... even if it was just that!?
I managed to get through it somehow. *sweat*
But I was able to help someone, they found their way, so it was probably a win-win for both of us!
I hope that's the case!
It must be!
Refreshing!
I was able to speak English because I had daydreamed about it!
Now, shall we get back to the title? Haha.
Up until now, I haven't talked about how simulations are useful.
It is true that I was so confused by Shibuya Station that I got lost.
But while you're lost,it's easier for the other person to understand what you're doing if you keep the conversation going with something.
If you can't speak English and just stay silent while thinking to yourself, it's honestlyawkward, isn't it?
So,let's give a play-by-play of your situation.
Starting with the 'Let me search on my phone' I mentioned earlier, and then after that
I'm looking it up with the station map.
I'm looking at the station map.
You explain what you're doing.
But since I couldn't figure it out in the end,
Ummm… I actually don't know where we are right now… Shibuya Station is so complicated that even Japanese people will get lost, too.
Hmm, I don't even know where we are right now. Shibuya Station is so complicated that even Japanese people get lost.
While making small talk like that, in the end,
It may be better to ask the station staff.
It might be better to ask the station staff.
I suggest that, and then lead them to the ticket gate.
After that, I ask the station staff in Japanese, and then translate it into English to tell them.
You gotta get out passing through the gate, then proceed in that direction, make a left turn, and head to C2 exit.
First, go through the ticket gate, and (pointing) proceed in that direction. Turn left and head to the C2 exit.
Of course, simple explanations like this,I was able to say smoothly thanks to my daydreaming..
Summary: Let's daydream about various things, not just giving directions.
I really wanted to speak English, so besides giving directions, I would daydream about speaking English in various situations and talk to myself.
That's exactly why I was able to handle a sudden event like this.
So, if you can make it a habit tokeep your antenna up in all kinds of daily situations, asking yourself 'How would I say this in English?', and looking up and memorizing the things you don't know(or taking notes), I think it will lead to improved speaking.
That was the story.
*The information contained in this article is current as of the time of publication unless otherwise noted, and may differ from the latest information.