Can you think in English?

We asked one of our 3R students what they thinks about learning English. This is written in their own words.

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Hello everyone,

I’m a 1st grade junior high school student and have been attending 3R English lessons since 3rd grade elementary school.

Here is my experience of learning English in a British private school and my regular school.

Please read it and compare it to your own life.

At first, I was nervous and not sure I wanted to attend. None of my friends were bothering to study English, and I was worried that there would be lots of homework to do. Actually, I only need to attend once a week for 1 hour, and the homework amount is just right for me!

There are a lot of big differences in the way English is taught. For example, in my junior high school class the teacher is a Japanese person, whereas at 3R, Richard sensei is British. I now find it strange that my school lessons are all taught and explained in Japanese. My classmates have to rely on translation before they can speak English. It means the lesson is slow and people don’t know what to say.

At 3R, everything is in English from the moment I say ‘hello’ at the door. Richard sensei teaches us to ‘think in English’ and not pause to translate everything first. It feels more natural speaking this way, even when I don’t understand everything. Since the teacher repeats the questions twice and answers with me, I can work out the meaning myself. I have a Callan English textbook which I study with the app on my tablet, and this teaches me how to answer. The app is also British, so I always hear clear pronunciation to copy.

Another thing that I wish was different at school is that the teacher makes quite a lot of mistakes, especially in her English pronunciation. She once taught us the wrong word in English, so I put my hand up and told her, but she said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ I was surprised because Richard sensei always corrects us and says it’s important. 

When I started private lessons, we were taught phonics first. Richard sensei showed us the difference between English sounds and alphabet letters and said 'it’s how all kids are brought up in Britain.' If you know it, your pronunciation will be perfect. I asked my school teacher if we would do phonics, but she said, ‘It’s too advanced.’ I wonder if she knows that it’s actually really simple.

My 3R English lessons are fun. The other kids are the same level as me, and we can understand each other’s English. I wish my school class was like this. There are still kids in my class who can’t read the English alphabet. I often get frustrated that we are still only learning really basic sentences in junior high, and my classmates have to ask me how to answer questions!

My parents said I should try the EIKEN exam because it will be useful when I’m older. I was not sure because I don’t like tests, but I got the EIKEN 3, then Pre 2 and then the EIKEN 2 when I was 11 years old. I am happy that I didn’t give up and passed it.

I love watching English TV on YouTube and Netflix. I often watch the news in English on NHK. I still have the Japanese subtitles on but can understand much of what I hear. I also love reading in English. At first it was really difficult, but now I read English every night before bed. There is a small library in the 3R classroom, and I am working my way up the levels. My goal is to be able to read books on the top shelf!

One of my school classmates has recently been taking lessons at 3R English. He’s a really good football player, and I think he wants to speak English to play in Europe when he leaves school.

I hope more of my friends will also join 3R English. I want them to enjoy the same things that I can, as well as Japanese.