Posted in In English, Journey

[EF #5] Me, EL, Blogging, and BEC

Posted on by andinaseptiarani
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Source: keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

I’ve been loving English Language (EL), since primary school.

While other kids at my age watched cartoons, I watched Knight Rider instead. David Hasselhoff was attractive enough at that time, even for a primary schooler 😁

As far as I can remember, there were not many English language movie on TV’s at that time.

Aside from watching a good-looking man driving his highly advanced talking car, KITT, I really love paying attention to the dialogues and matching them with the subtitle provided. Didn’t know why but I thought understanding language other than our mother-tongue’s, especially English, was kind of cool.

I was so excited that each time I watched Knight Rider, I learned new words in English 😁

My love for EL and movies was growing until high school when I finally had the chance to join a General English course which lasted for 2 years. It was fun and exciting since we’re not only provided with local teachers but also native. I enjoyed my learning at the course much more than I enjoyed my school 😁 Maybe that’s the reason why I was a top scorer at the course but not in high school 😅

As soon as I finished my degree in Chemistry in 2007, I worked as a high school teacher in one of the International-Standard schools in Bogor. I taught Chemistry to high schoolers using English as a communication language. I love English, I love Chemistry, but too bad that I didn’t love teaching as much and vice versa. Maybe it wasn’t my thing hence it only lasted for a year.

Nevertheless, I should admit that teaching in English was quite an experience. Great one. My EL skill improved each and every day back then.

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Source: lousywriter.com

In 2009, I attended an academic ELTS preparation class as a part of the scholarship selection program, ended with an official academic IELTS test, both were for free. Having had that kind of opportunity to improve my English, I was so grateful.

Moving to Penang in 2011, has forced me to use English as a communication language since I knew nothing about Bahasa Melayu. Almost everyone speaks English but still there are places, such as traditional market, where you would be more appreciated by the local if you use Bahasa Melayu instead. Hence, as time went by, my English was kind of no-progressing since I finally managed to talk in Bahasa Melayu 😅

Fortunately, in 2014, not long after I finally decided to create a blog, never crossed my mind that I would consistently write posts in English until I read Mba Nita’s post in KEB faceboook group.

She wrote about this newly-formed English Club for bloggers in which all member would be given a weekly challenge namely English Friday – writing one blog post in English every Friday.

WOW! That was my first reaction reading Mba Nita’s post at that time.

In the next minutes, I was officially a member of the cool club 😎

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Source: englishfriday.wordpress.com

If there was one thing I’ve learned from my journey in learning EL, language is a matter of practice.

To me, joining this club, and of course taking the weekly challenge, means practicing: Forcing myself to write in English as scheduled 😄 Having said that means watching more movies without subtitle, reading more English written blogs, and definitely more looking-up into the dictionary! 😅

Through BEC I have found my long-lost spirit of learning English 😊 I have been able to make contact with many people sharing the same interest and eagerness to learn this so-called international language – and new fellow bloggers, too 😊

In BEC we also have these four Grammar Nazis Mba Yoyen, Mba Mikan, Mba Eva and Mba Nana with outstanding English skills as our mentor, they would kindly proofread our writings each and every week – real time through Whatsapp. How cool is that? 😉

As for now, the founders Mba Nita, Mas Dani, Mas Ryan and two administrators Mas Andik and Mba Deva, said that there has been more than 100 members since the formation of this cool club last month. Wow! 😄

With the growing number of members, I hope BEC spreads more inspirations and spirit of learning EL together in a fun way 😊 Maybe one day BEC will have its own (offline) learning center? Who knows 😉

We’re on our 5th week of the English Friday challenge and it’s a special tribute to the club 😊 Thanks BEC 😊

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20 thoughts on “[EF #5] Me, EL, Blogging, and BEC”

  1. “Understanding language other than our mother-tongue’s, especially English, was kind of cool.” I agree with you, Mba Andin. And actually learning a foreign language is always enjoyable. I always love reading your posts Mba, long and and well structured English.

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  2. Agree with the previous comment. Reading your post is a pleasure. Flowing nicely.

    Reading this in particular, brought me back to my childhood. KITT was so awesome. I love it.

    In Malaysia, as my ex boss said, they held Melayu high as National Language. Is that right, Mba Andin?

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    1. Thank you, Mas Ryan 😊 You’re a fan of Knight Rider too? I guess that quite explains our age 😁 hihi..

      Based on my experience living in Penang, most of the people able to speak English, it was kind of their second common language. Unlike in Indonesia, you won’t be mocked for using English instead of Melayu since Malaysia is a multinational state (India, China, Middle Easts, Melayu). However, Bahasa Melayu is a compulsory subject to be taken by whoever studying/taking a degree in Malaysia. Hope that answers your question 😊

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      2. Haha Mas Ryan, now that you’ve challenged me to guess your age, I have no courage 😁 hihi.. #peace Mas Ryan, didn’t mean to question that 😅 When Knight Rider was a hit in the 1990s, I was a primary schooler 😁

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  3. the same David Hasslehoff who acted as a lifeguard in Baywatch? 😀
    nice post, mba Andin.
    you’re definitely right about language is a matter of practicing.
    and that’s what I’m going to do from now on: practicing, practicing, practicing *pasangikatkepala

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    1. Yes Ziyy, that David Hasselhoff. I guess you know nothing about Knight Rider, don’t you? Well that quite explains my age, LOL 😁 Let’s spread the spirit of learning and practicing EL through BEC 😉

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  4. Yes, mastering a language is a work in practicing it over and over. Absolutely agree with your opinion!
    Creatively written, well done!

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  6. Oo..come on, gurl…let’s not go to the age-theme, okay 😉 we fell in love with series like MacGyver, The A-Team, Growing Pains, Full House, Doogie Howser, Moonlighting and the list can go on and on and on. Almost forgot, did i mention The Nanny already? Haha

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  9. Pingback: [EF#5 Weekly Recap] What is BEC to You? | Blog English Club

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