The
article called, Appropriating English, Expanding Identities, and
Re-Visioning the Field: From
TESOL to Teaching English for Glocalized Communicatioin (TEGCOM) by A. Lin, et. al is about four
authors’ autobiographies that was in China, Japan, Iran and Hong Kong. One of
interesting themes that they talked about is how they are not motivated to use
English in China because they do not use it every day. I have personal
experience toward this theme. Before I came to United States, I rejected to
learn English because I never, in million years, would come to United States.
Also, I didn’t use it every day. Therefore, I wasn’t motivated to learn
English. It was more difficult for me to learn English after I came to United
States. The reason is that it was difficult for me to accept that I needed to
learn English that I hated so much. It was so confusing for me because my
parents never mention about coming to the United States. When I was reading
this article, I can relate these points that the author made.
Some
authors felt that they were ashamed of their English and so on. However, I
never felt that before. The reason is that because I never motivated to learn
English when I lived in Korea. Because I didn’t know English, it was easier for
me to accept the second language. In the article, Wendy and Angel felt that
English is their part of identity. It was interesting how they got to this
point because I felt the same way. Even though some people believe that English
is my second language, there are no such things as second language in my
opinion. I feel like English and Korean are my first language. Because
sometimes, I feel comfortable speaking English, and sometimes, I feel
comfortable speaking Korean. Therefore, English isn’t my second language
anymore. To me, English values same way as Korean.
One
of interesting points that McKay & Bolkhorts pointed out in chapter seven
was rejection of westernization. Some teachers believe that western culture is
not motivation to students. They believe that learning western cultures might
disconnect their own culture. At some point, I agree with this. Some people
believe that accepting western culture is a way to learn English quicker. Some immigrants’
parents make their children to reject their cultures to learn English. My aunt
and uncle thought this way also. They made my cousin to go only white school
when his English was limited. Also, they made him watch English movies or shows
only, because they thought that it would help him. However, it didn’t. In fact,
he got bad grades during his school year because he couldn’t accept American
culture. They moved to the different school later on.
These
readings made me think that how thankful I am to experience things that not
many people have experienced. I can relate many of readings that we did so far.
As future teacher, I can relate my students, and help them when they need help.
