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專欄

Embarking on my English learning journey.

Ace Mok

English, to many Asian students including myself, is a hateful curse that has troubled us for years. Use more complex sentences? Check. Stuff as many big words as possible? Check. Regurgitate the model answers in speaking tests? Check. In retrospect, teachers used to shoved grammatical rules and lists of vocabulary into students’ hands and forced them to recite those enigmatic codes. Doubtlessly, with this method being adopted, even the most avid learners will be discouraged as it simply turns an exuberant language into lifeless and tedious formulas. Personally, studying English is akin to going on an adventure in which you will know more about yourself. Here, I will share with you my story of language acquisition with my English teacher Nick on Amazing Talker.

Ploughing through piles of exercises and reading tons of sample essays was how I prepared for IELTS 10 months ago. In the beginning, I endeavored to study immense self-taught materials and practice blindly and tirelessly for countless hours, feeling complacent. Reciting endless lists of vocabulary, timing precisely for writing tasks, and jotting down notes were my daily routine. Unfortunately, the around-the-clock effort didn’t pay off, and eventually, my confidence really hit the floor. That was the time when I decided to seek help to get a grip on my depreciating learning motivation.


It just so happen that I came across AT, and I started searching for an English tutor who is experienced in and devoted to teaching. With doubts and worries, I balked at signing up for courses as having online lessons was something new to me. After thinking prudently, eventually, I decided to give it a shot by signing up for a trial course with Nick.

It is the first lesson I had with my English tutor, Nick, who is so passionate about teaching and inspiring.


Having English lessons used to be like watching an interminable art movie in which time ran twice as slow as usual. In contrast, my very first lesson with Nick was conducted in a relaxing and interactive way rather than a demanding and grueling one. At the beginning of each lesson, we warmed up by having free conversations rambling about various topics. During the lesson, Nick was so encouraging and patient the whole time even when I struggled to utter what I was to express feeling embarrassed. Offering encouragement and advice, Nick truly helps me to rebuild my wilted confidence and rekindle my passion for English. More importantly, through this arduous but rewarding process, I learn that I am capable of making a breakthrough in this language as long as I persevere as if a dog with a bone.

To my mind, having a tutor is of significant importance since students are guided to correct frequent mistakes they make and can clarify misconceptions they harbour. Writing to impress is a case in point. Like many others, I deliberately stuff long phrases and not-so-common words in my writing just to impress the examiner, which Nick pointed out is detrimental because it may hinder me from delivering my message in a coherent and clear way. Rather, advanced vocabulary serves only to add an extra pop to the essay. Never would I be able to acknowledge this misconception if I only worked with those self-taught materials without a tutor.

As of this moment, I have only scratched the surface, but I can’t wait to explore more to up my game in English and accomplish the goal I set up for myself. The whole point of learning a language is not only about academic performance but is also about uncovering who you really are as you will be amazed by how far you have made despite all the disappointments and doubts along the way.

Is there a proven recipe for pursuing happiness?

Ace Mok 2 筆留言


Are you happy as of this moment?

It wouldn’t be too striking if you answer “No”. Let’s face it, for Hong Kong people, leading an unhappy life no longer hits the headlines. Most of us are deprived of our free time largely due to a hectic work schedule and fully packed social calendar. Apart from that, shrinking living environment, grim political prospects, and the pressing pandemic have overturned our lives into nothing but turmoil. Despite this cruel reality, many are still foraging for a proven recipe that leads to a happier life.

So, how are you living your life?

After graduation, I set foot in society and stumbled unwillingly into the job market as many other university graduates have done. Commuting across districts by bus in the early morning, it is rather surprising that I am not the only one who has to overcome the insurmountable gravity to roll out of bed at 5:30 a.m. Some even head off way earlier. Eyes shut, heads bent down, bodies fidgeting in the seats trying to find the perfect posture are how most sleep-deprived workers try to snatch some sleep before going about the day. Just a second after dozing off, the bus pulls over and a flock of people scramble to get off.

This daily grind has prompted me to wonder how living in Hong Kong is any different from surviving from a battlefield.

From what I can tell, the chief obstacle to happiness is that we are fearful of being our true selves risking financial stability. Flashing back several years ago, when I was still a student, I practised guitar countless hours a day, relishing that one day I could play it like a guitar hero on stage. I left nothing in the tank. Alongside the dream, on the other hand,  were doubts and apprehension:

“A musician? You sure you can make a living with your paltry skills?”

“let’s forget about this frivolity, just focus on your study .”

“Your head is in the clouds, be more mature and grow up.”

When I sat down and mused seriously about living the dream, more questions were raised than were answered. Indeed, growing up in a grassroot family, I did dread to consider other possibilities but stick with the “right path” for fear a reckless move would impose more burden on the livelihood of the family. I was never taught to go after my seemingly fanciful dreams.

As days passed, inevitably, I got swallowed by society. The more inundated I was at work, the less disciplined or motivated I was to strum and hum. Eventually, the dream has been eroded bit by bit under my nose. I didn’t notice that until it had parted far away from me as if a kite with a broken string. Once a devoted guitarist who carried the guitar everywhere, now I am just another worker who struggles to live through every grinding day. Imagine, conceivably, returning home late at night after a day of drudgery, the first priority is to shower and sleep at once. Unfortunately, there are many others sharing the same experience as in they also have to bury their dreams and bow to the reality, which we call adulthood. In other words, we are not living the lives that we covet to live and not being the one we want to be.

So I gave up. 

But it just leads to another vicious cycle as I have lost the spark of life. 

From my experience, however, when I had an off day, feeling deflated, despondent, or discouraged, it is those dreams that inspire me. I clicked some of my old guitar videos looking at the old self, so familiar yet so alienated, and I was relieved that at least I still have a knack for something. Indeed, preserving our inner desires, ambitious dreams or interests, is indispensable to stay cheerful in a world where only wealth is trumpeted. By no means can you just delete them in your memory as though eradicating some sort of junk mail since they are deeply rooted in you and define who you are. 

It must sound a bit trite to you, but it is true.

For most people, sacrificing copious amounts of time, money, and energy for an elusive dream sounds intimidating and impractical. For others more enterprising, it is totally worth it to live their dreams at all costs rather than go to the grave with the song still in them. For me, frankly, it would be challenging to leave everything behind to go after the guitar dream as of this moment. However, is the reality truly set in stone? Surely not! Though life is a labyrinth full of twists and turns, one would eventually make it to the promised land.