Hello everyone, my name is Kohei Narusawa and I am currently studying abroad at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.Kamloops is a small town with a population of about XNUMX. It has a very comfortable climate with few rainy days and dry summers.
Immediately after studying abroad at Thompson Rivers University, I took a placement test, a test that measures the four skills of Grammar, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.Thompson Rivers University has an English learning course called ESL, and if you pass the level of the four skills above a certain level (level 1 or higher in each skill), you will be able to take regular course lectures called the academic course.I wasn't able to take an academic course during the first semester, but I made it my goal to take an academic course, which boosted my morale.
In ESL, classes are held in small groups of about 20 people.There are various teaching methods depending on the teacher, but basically it often takes the form of pair work or group work.Unlike lectures in Japan, classes progress very quickly and require a considerable amount of homework.I have many opportunities to submit reports and give presentations, but I think I am able to improve my English efficiently because it is easy to learn.
After school and on holidays, I go out with my friends, work out at the gym on campus, participate in volunteer work, and participate in events called LEAP.Canada just legalized recreational marijuana use and I was worried, but I have never had or met anyone who has had a dangerous experience.Compared to urban areas such as Vancouver, Kamloops is a safe and secure place to live.
By putting myself in an environment where I actually speak English and communicating in English with my classmates, teachers, and people in my town, I feel that I have become familiar with phrases and phrases that are peculiar to spoken language that I didn't know at school, and frequently used phrases.From the second semester, I will also start taking academic courses, so I would like to work hard so that I can expect further growth.