｜2017 × GS遊學心得｜台灣學生8週ESL / TOEIC學習心得－Momo－ @ GS語言學校@菲律賓克拉克

台灣學員Momo在澳洲打工結束之後來到了GS語言學校來加強自己的英文，

原本英語底子就很棒的他，決定在學校學習一個月的ESL與多益課程，

就一起來看看他在校延修期間內發生的有趣事情吧！！

學員暱稱: Momo
學員國籍: 台灣
研修週數: 8週 (3/11 - 5/7, 2017)
研修課程: ESL +TOEIC

“Why do you want to learn English? What’s your purpose here?” If you come to GS, many teachers and classmates will ask you this question. My answer always goes like this, “Because I want to improve my English ability.”

English is a tool to access the world. When I finished my two-year-long working holiday in Australia, I deeply realized that it’s true. One of my backpacker friends whom I met in Australia, Martina, recommended me to choose her friend, Max, as my agency, and he helped me to attend a school which accommodates all my needs—Global Standard English Learning Center. (Usually, students call it “GS” instead.)

In GS, students have the rights to select their teachers, the timetable, and learning materials. It’s very flexible to make an adjustment. Also, comparing with other language schools, I think the fee of the courses in GS is more economical to me. (It includes not only lessons and materials, but also the room accommodation and three meals per day.) Most of the people can afford it. Besides, GS is located in Clark city which is famous for the safety in the Philippines. These are the main reasons why I chose it to stay.

I have been studying in GS for two months. One month is for ESL (Learning English as a Second Language) course, and the other one is for TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) practice. I have four one-on-one classes, two to three group classes, and one to two optional group classes (TOEIC and CNN) every day. English is a common language in the Philippines. My teachers are locals, Americans, and Australian. Most of my classmates are from Korea, I also have few Japanese and Vietnamese classmates here. Therefore, the only language between us is English. (Because the period when I stayed wasn’t a peak season, Taiwanese students are only few.) One-on-one teachers are in charge of teaching me the writing, reading, grammar, vocabulary, listening test, reading test, and skills for the test. Group class teachers train students to practice communication, expression, and pronunciation; also, they offer students some new information and interesting topics. This environment offers me a chance to practice speaking and listening English from day to night, and my capacity of vocabulary is increasing.

During the week days, I studied hard. Students need to do self-study after classes from Monday to Thursday. However, I also had a lot of fun during my holidays. Students usually go out for amusement start on Friday night to Sunday, buy some groceries or travel. In my case, I went to SM mall, walking street and Friendship (Korea town) by Japanies or GS school free shuttle van to play bowling games, watch a movie, enjoy singing in a KTV, or eat local dishes with my classmates. On one of the weekends, I visited a national park named MINANUGAO to experience the special bamboo ship, to see the cave and to go swimming. Also, I went to one of the Philippines’ Culture Villages to see the exotic sceneries, and visited Fontana Waterpark and Deca Waterboard with friends to enjoy the sunshine and water activities during recent holidays. Sometimes, I didn’t go too far, just walked to Clark Park, Clark Museum (people can watch a historical 4D movie there), local Catholic Church, some supermarkets and restaurants (One of them has live music on Friday night) nearby, or massage shops to do some exercise or to relax.

Other memories here impressed me strikingly, too. For examples: my Korea classmates celebrated Jane Han (One of my Taiwanese classmates who came here with me. The first time we met is in the airport.) and my birthday in Korean way; my mother encountered a car accident and got bones broken in Taiwan but I couldn’t accompany her as I was in the Philippines; I was suddenly sick and couldn’t eat anything during my lunch and dinner; my smartphone was broken when I just arrived GS after 9 days; cultural diversity and relationship of Asia made me difficult about involving in this school sometimes; some learning issues about TOEIC; one of my clothes which is a gift from my friend got stolen in the laundry… and etc. (I’m appreciate that my agency, my Taiwanese manager Lisa and my friends’ help during the hardship.)

Now is my last week in GS. I think that I learned many things here. I improved either my English ability or my problem-solving experience. Life is an association of bitterness and happiness. When they blend together and the flavor emerged from it is life. I’m glad that I have the chance to learn. It makes me become a better person.

Hand drawing