This is a story from Thu Tran - one of the two winners of the mini-game in March and also the first letter that ABVN received from the students. Let's take a look at it to see how ABVN and the volunteer teachers have changed the way she studied English.
Let me tell you my English journey. I come from Quang Tri province which is not as famous as many provinces in my country. Since I was borned, I have never seen any foreigners to interact or communicate in my hometown so my English speaking is so poor. When I began to learn English at secondary school, the teaches reviewed that I have some little innate aptitude. I was really fond of writing down new vocabularies and learing by heart. My friends can ask alternative words which they do not know and I played a role like a dictionary. I felt so proud and satisfied. But I also have an important mission, follow the footsteps of my relatives, become a doctor. I was not brave enough to chase and remain my passion and I also did not have a proper time management to balance my life. I gave it up but I always admire people who are good at English. Sometimes, I remind of the image of the girl who are interested in English and felt little regretable. At the fifth year of my course in Hue medicine and pharmacy university, I suffered from a sorrow circumstance, I ponder myself that how much time I wasted. I determined that it is time for me to start again before it is too late. I start to learn to pronounce basic sounds, learn new words, listen English basic short conversations which I do not understand all the content. In the past, I did not have a chance to be exposed to English listening and speaking which was affected by the traddition method of Vietnamese teachers. After I accquire the elementary English listening skill, I encounter the new obstacles: speaking. I absolutely do not know how can I overcome it. In my free time, I use all my courage (I am very shy) to talk with tourists but it is not effective because I am not always lucky to meet up native speakers like Australian, Canadian or English. Fortunately, by a chance, I saw a posted writing from Mai Cam Cat facebook, a new friend to call for attending this program. I felt so happy and begin to participate this program. The more I learn with teachers, the more my skill improve so much like the waves surge. Gradually, I am additicted to pratice English on a regular daily basic. If I do not learn, I feel like that I lack of unsure thing. Until now, I percieved that learning with teachers, it triggers the silent voice, my hiding desire, my hibernated ability. How lucky I am to encounter the people at the right time when I need the most. How much quicky I absorbed English knowledge that I never expect before. Besides, through our conversations, I also make friends with the great teachers who always just listen all my stories and give useful advices. They comfort me when I burst into tears in difficult circumstances, they praise me when I pass the exams. We shared every moments in our life. They become my fellow who I can confess or confide everything. It makes my tedious life more meaningful and colorful. It broadens my horizon of adopting the different culture no matter who you are or where are you from, your personality your gender, your social status. We have lots in common. In addition, A better VietNam program gives me the best opportunity to make new friends through many outdoor activities. We go on a picnic with the teachers, enjoy food, explore the magnificent wild nature, hang out at the coffee shop, take pictures or selfie to capture the precious moment. The teachers also give us a lovely gift and recommend the Western cuisine. Especially, I admire the new friends from class N, who are both sociable, enthusiatic and smart. I am so grateful because the enormous benefit and impacts to my life. I strongly believe that the program will develop sustainably and expand to many provinces in my country. It grow the small seeds and spark the dream, the hope of people like us. Now, although I come to new stage in the hustle and bustle but I promise with myself that I never give up English again. I want to accompany with the teachers until the rest of my lifetime. I realize that meeting the teachers is a part of my contrived arrangement of my destiny. In the big world, from a far place, it is so special and peculiar when we connect one another. I will follow the whisper of my fate, listen to my intuition, nourish my dream and fulfill my life purpose with the incessant support from the adorable teachers. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
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If you are interested in this project, please feel free to contact us at:
Email: abettervnproject@gmail.com.
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/abettervn/