ENGLISH IN MY WORLD · A PERSONAL BLOG
English in
my world.
A personal journey through language,
technology and identity.
MORE THAN A SUBJECT.
English helps
me
From a mark on a page
to a voice of my own.
A learner.
A teacher.
Still becoming.
For years, English was the subject that made me doubt myself. I worked hard, but my results rarely reflected my effort. Today, I use English to learn, express ideas and teach IELTS speaking online. This blog tells the story of that change, including the difficulties that made it possible.
Across four connected posts, I look back on school, an intensive IELTS course, independent learning and my move into teaching. I also explore how recordings, online media, AI and social media have shaped my relationship with English. These technologies have changed more than my study methods: they have changed how I understand mistakes and communicate with others.
Chinese remains an important part of this story. Learning English has not meant leaving it behind. Instead, I am learning how both languages can help me understand experiences and share them with different audiences. If you have ever felt that a disappointing result defines your ability, I hope my journey offers another way to think about learning.
The journal.
Four connected chapters.
Scroll to move through the story →Swipe or choose a chapter →
When English Was Only a Test
From school marks to an IELTS turning point.
Read the chapter ↗Learning to Connect Words with Life
Finding stories, situations and feelings behind words.
Read the chapter ↗Finding My Voice with Technology
Using recordings and AI while keeping my own voice.
Read the chapter ↗From Struggling Learner to Online Teacher
Becoming a teacher, with Chinese still alongside English.
Read the chapter ↗TWO LANGUAGES. MORE WAYS TO MAKE MEANING.
Translation changes
how I understand.
Chinese provides experiences and concepts I can draw on. English gives me another way to examine and share them.
Read about cultural translation ↗Finding
my voice.
A proposed practice routine built on my experience with recordings and AI. A plan to develop, rather than a completed experiment.
01 / ATTEMPT
Speak first.
Record a spontaneous answer for about one minute. Start with a familiar question and an experience that belongs to me.
No model answer. No script.02 / NOTICE
Notice three things.
Check the transcript against the recording. Ask for one repeated expression, one unclear idea and one grammar issue that affects meaning.
Chinese explanations. Small English corrections.03 / CONNECT
Make it personal.
Use follow-up questions to add a real detail. The intensive course, independent study and my own decisions provide something meaningful to say.
My experience gives the answer substance.04 / ADJUST
Try again. Then transfer.
Close the suggested answer. Record again using three keywords, then try a related question with different content.
A clearer idea matters more than speed alone.Read the complete routine ↗The voice remains mine.Explore the prompt and limitations ↗
Still
becoming.
English now gives me ways to participate,
teach and speak from my own experience.