Two years ago…

I traveled 27 hours to Guangzhou, China on a student recruitment trip. The host school I was visiting arranged for a guided tour around their campus, where hundreds of students in red and white uniforms were studying hard for their exams. I saw science, culinary and English classes in session, with eager students gathered around their teachers.

Students everywhere called out to me in their best English: “Hello! How are you today?” They called out all over. But oftentimes, when I continued the conversation with them, their English did not go beyond “Hello” and “How are you.”

That’s why I was shocked when I met a student there named Kris. She had perfect English. She was using idioms and advanced vocabulary with a perfect North American accent. It was shocking! I asked Kris where she learned English. I fully expected her to say that she had spent a few years in the United States or Canada. But she hadn’t! I don’t think she had ever even left China before! I couldn’t believe my ears. I was talking to her the way I would talk to any American teenager. She had even won a national English competition for her language skills.

So where did Kris learn English? The answer might surprise you! Kris learned her perfect English by watching online videos. Night and day, the videos she consumed were in English. She knew all of the most popular vloggers (that’s short for video bloggers). She knew all about American tv, even shows that I watched every week at home.

I’ve been teaching Chinese students for 12 years, and I’ve never met a student like Kris. I was so inspired by her! Her love for English and for American culture filled her with excitement and motivation. And that motivation is what made her language learning so strong.

So what does this mean for you? Why is Kris’ story important?

Kris’ story tells us that it is possible for you to become fluent in English, even if you never get the opportunity to travel to an English-speaking country. You don’t have to have American or British friends. You don’t have to study in Australia. All those things can help, but the truth is that you can learn English wherever you are! You just have to want it.

You have to decide to watch movies in English and subscribe to channels that are in English. You have to be curious about English and English-speaking cultures. Keep asking questions. Find English videos online from people you actually enjoy watching. Don’t just get stuck in your grammar books. Enjoy language learning! Laugh with English speakers on the internet. If you like who you’re learning from, you’re more likely to stick with it.

So remember Kris. Remember that great English is possible. You just have to enter the English-speaking world on the internet, and watch, watch, watch.

Comment below and share what is most helpful for you!

Love you guys! Thanks for learning with me.