I believe only another foreign student can truly appreciate the challenges in learning to write English correctly. The individual from another culture faces immense difficulties as well, but they generally are not required to do what the student must do: prove their learning as it develops. As a Chinese American student, I also feel that the vast differences between the languages themselves add to the challenge. At the same time, these processes have pushed me to excel and I see them as opportunities. I am proud of what I have achieved. Even as I must continue to develop my writing skills, I am confident that my progress thus far should go to my passing the class.
In basic terms each essay I have done has been a unique experience. This is because, with every one, I am not the same student of English. Problems going to one essay are not the same as those of another, so the entire process has been one of change. That the assignments have been of different types only adds to this reality, and also brings me to understand how complex writing is. It has made me reflect on how I would write in Chinese, in fact, because what has been asked of us goes to how writing and thought are so completely connected. For example, the compare/contrast essay demanded that I give a great amount of focus to the work. Thought had to be developed before I could even begin to set down my ideas, and this then compelled me to dig deep into my new knowledge of English to find the words best expressing my thinking. In all essays, the largest problem was moving away from “thinking in Chinese.” The compare/contrast reinforced this need more than any other.
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At the same time, the timed essays presented challenges all their own. I found myself thinking more in terms of grammar and paying less attention to ideas themselves. The pressure of the time limits had me feeling that the most important part was in revealing my technical knowledge of English. The position essay was probably the one causing the least stress. Nonetheless, I must repeat that learning to express ideas in a new language is a great commitment. The issues are many and sometimes unexpected, and it is tempting to rely on standard phrases instead of making the effort to create new ones. However, I know my personal investment was complete and I believe my efforts were valuable. I would like to add that all of these experiences were appreciated by me. I welcomed each assignment because the testing of my knowledge means as much to me as any grade. Even this essay I am writing now has the effect of energizing me in a way. I am a student and I find pleasure in trying harder. Every sentence I write and most of the words I choose are the result of work, and the “translation” process that must be in place for the foreign student of English writing.
It was never easy. It is not easy now. Still, it is what I set out to do and I feel all the more successful with each paragraph that I know is good English. I have also read many English books and practiced on my own. All of this leads me to assert that my commitment and my
