Time flies! It's already been five months since I arrived here in Canada in February, and I'm going back to China in two weeks. I've experienced the winter and so fantastic a summer here; I've learned a lot (English,medicine, and more); I've made so many friends; I've visited several beautiful large cities (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec, and I'll be visiting Vancouver on my way home). I really enjoyed my stay here, and so impressed by the friendly people, gorgeous sights, and the way they live or work. Yes, it's so hard for me to say goodbye and leave. I'll take this opportunity to share a few things about my learning English in Canada, though.
What have I achieved in learning English?
It's easy now for me to communicate with the local people in English (hospital staff, shop assistants, drivers, restaurant servers, etc). I can understand most of the conversations, commercials and news on TV. Sometimes I found myself speaking English with an imitated local tone (speak up just as locals do) - I even talked with local friends about our further cooperation or business in detail in English. You bet they kept asking where I picked up all the English, especially when they knew that I didn't speak English in my daily life back in China and that everything in China is in Chinese (even the medical text books). My ears are getting more and more 'sensitive' than ever before - I can overhear and understand what they're talking about. That's so amazing!
Failed to immerse myself totally in English
Montreal boasts the biggest bilingual city in the world - most of the people here speak French, even though they are also fluent in English and staff at the hospital where I'm studying usually speak English. Maybe I should have chosen to study in Vancouver or Toronto, where most of the people speak English. I'm living in a house owned by a Chinese family and my roommates are all Chinese, so when I'm at home (after work) I speak Chinese , not English.
The most effective way to learn English
Learners tend to ask this question: What's the most effective way to learn English? In my opinion, the most effective way to learn English is that you live, work or study totally in English, which may force you to use it. Ideally, you have a partner (wife/husband, girlfriend/boyfriend) who's a native English speaker. Yes, you'll find it hard for you to find such an ideal way to learn English. Actually, there're already so many effective ways to learn it - so why bother to look for the most effective one?
I'm looking forward to seeing your comment. Let's talk about it!
Comments
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for sharing your experience in Malaysia. I'm so glad you liked this blog. Have a nice day!
Hi Manuela,
I've returned to China. I'm enjoying the family reunion, meeting with friends, and catching up on some medical work at the hospital. And, Tara just interviewed me about my trip to Canada in her Writing Challenge for this month - hope you enjoy reading it!
Thanks for asking!
Hello Expector,
How have you been since you went back to China ? I am curious about you :)) Won't you write another blog to tell us how you feel now that you're back in your homeland ?
Wishing you a good week,
Manuela
@joyce
Yes, it's so memorable an experience for me!
@YEN
Thank you for the wonderful comment! Good question: why don't I consider immigrating to Canada? I know so many people have succeeded in immigrating to Canada, and being an immigration is a dream come true for them. Maybe I should have thought about it. But I'm happy with my family, my job and my life back in China. Besides, it's hard for me to be a doctor (or to practice medicine) here in Canada. That's why immigrating to Canada is out of the question for me. Thanks again for asking such a good question!
Thanks farid!
Yes, there're so many good ways to learn English - you don't need to have a native partner. I won't leave MyEC unless you all want me to leave:))
Many thanks, Martin!
I'm glad you liked this blog. I've noticed you've been trying to read and comment on blogs from other members - I really appreciate it! And, I like to read your blogs - hope to see more blogs from you. Keep your great work up!
Hi Robert,
It's so kind of you to comment on this blog. Yes, we should take advantage of the Internet - maybe the most effective way for those who can't learn English in an English-speaking country or haven't got a native partner.
Hello Expector,
What a great blog! Thank you Doc, for sharing your wonderful experiences in Canada. Indeed, living or studying in an English speaking country has limitless ways to learn and acquire English. But the internet also is a great tool for non-native speaker to take advantage learning English... and I'm really thankful for that!
Applause to you for posting this inspiring blog....
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