I didn’t study very hard during my school years, so I didn’t even know the basics of English until I turned 25. After completing my military service and entering the workforce, I belatedly started studying English.
I purchased beginner-level grammar books and studied whenever I had time, gradually advancing to higher levels. Before I knew it, I turned 30. I gained some confidence in my English and wend on a working holiday to Canada. However, I had to cut it short after six months due to COVID-19.
Despite my frustration, I continued my studies and landed a job at a public institution responsible for international projects. Building on this experience, I eventually secured a permanent job at the public institution I aspired to work.
English has been my companion, helping me make friends and transforming my life. Even now, my English studies are still ongoing.
workforce - all the people who work for a company or organization
secure - positioned or fixed firmly and correctly and therefore not likely to move, fall, or break
나는 학창 시절에 공부를 열심히 하지 않았기에 25살이 될 때까지 영어의 기본도 몰랐다. 군복무를 마치고 사회생활을 시작하며 뒤늦게 영어 공부를 시작했다.
초급 문법책을 구입해서 틈날 때마다 공부하고, 점점 단계를 높였다. 어느덧 30살이 되었고, 영어에 조금은 자신감이 생겨서 캐나다로 워킹 홀리데이를 떠났다. 하지만 코로나로 인해 겨우 6개월 만에 중단하고 돌아와야 했다.
아쉬웠지만 나는 공부를 계속했고, 국제 사업을 담당하는 공공기관에 입사했다. 이 경력을 바탕으로 결국엔 내가 일하고 싶었던 공공기관에 정규직으로 입사해서 꿈을 펼치고 있다. 영어는 내 동반자고 친구들을 만들었고 내 인생을 바꿔놓았다. 내 영어 공부는 지금도 여전히 진행 중이다.
- I didn’t even know the basics when I first started working. / People who do not even know the basics can still take the class.
- I want to travel a lot before I enter the workforce. / I entered the workforce right after I graduated.
- Meditating can transform your life. / That lecture transformed my life.
A: You’re really good at English. Have you always been good at it since you were young?
B: Not at all. I only started studying it belatedly.
A: Really?
B: Yes. During my school years, I found English to be difficult. I really didn’t care for it.
A: But how did you become so proficient?
B: I met some great people, and we studied together. That motivated me to keep going.
