I remember when I was young I used to listen to English rock and pop songs and then sing the choruses wherever I went. The songs were old classics and it must have been pretty fun to listen to me singing some song that everybody else knows except me. I still listen to them except now I know what I’m singing about. But I’m still pretty sure that I got even some of the words right back then.
English started in third grade. It was quite exciting to get introduced to a whole new language. I don’t remember a lot from my schoolbooks from that time, but I remember my English book. The first chapter was about a boy called Ben, who came to this amazing town by train, and the chapter was located in the train station. Ben’s aunt was waiting for him at the station and the first sentence of that whole book was “Hi Ben”.
What I also remember is the name tags we had back then. At first I was called Walt, because it was some kind of translation of my name so it was easy to pick. Later my name was Tyler and the reason for that name was an American tv-program called Extreme Makeover House Edition. I did not particularly like that program, but there was this host called Ty. That short name was so cool, so I wanted it, unfortunately though my teacher wanted to change it to Tyler. I also think that maybe at some point I was Luke. I don’t have any idea where that name came from, only Luke I know is from Star Wars, but I’m really not sure about that.
At this point English has already been very useful to me. I have been able to communicate abroad and through language barriers. Last time I remember I used English was in summer when I helped out one tourist, probably from Italy or Spain, to read the bus schedule. Also in the future if I want to live abroad in an English speaking country that is possible for me.
Hi Valtteri! It’s funny, that in English lessons we had to have English names and then teachers change names after a few years. But I can only remember how cool was it to have a ‘real’ English name, even nobody didn’t know have to say it correctly.
It has come much more common, that you can use English on streets or in a store even if you are in Finland. During a couple of years, I’ve heard English spoken in Finnish cities little bit more. Is here more tourists or have people actually moved in to Finland? It’s difficult to say.
Veera
Your text is easy to read and easy to understand. I liked the name thing, because I had a different name too, when I was in the first grade, I just cant remember it.
What country would it be, if you decide to move abroad?
I remember those English names. Mine was Molly and I was so jealous because my friend got the name Rachel. It sounded so beautiful. Anyway I think we got the same English book as you did. I remember Ben and his aunt too. And Hamlet, the mouse.
Milena
So you still get English names for English classes in primary school! So did I when I started my first English class – can you believe it! And it must have been quite significant since I still remember how upset I was that my friend picked the name I wanted before me. It was Susan, and I was left with boring Norah! I really used to dislike that name!
It really doesn’t seem uncommon any more to have to guide foreigners in English even here in Finland. So you don’t always have to travel abroad to practise your language skills! I have also noticed that, especially in bigger towns, you hear more and more English these days. I’m sure it’s because more foreigners have come to live here.
I did not have this name thing in my school, we just had this ordinary style of teaching and I thought that it was pretty dull. If you would decide move abroad, what would be your job there?
Toni