CIA Interview with Keita

Aside from Noriko, I was able to interview another Japanese student from CIA. His name is Keita.

ABOUT CIA

CIA stands for “Cebu International Academy.” It is an ESL school situated in Mandaue City of Metro Cebu. It is now about 12 years in the academe and has been serving students of various nationalities–Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese among others.

ENGLISH FOR TRAVELING

Keita decided to study English in Cebu because he wants to be able to communicate with people of different nationalities he will surely meet on his international travels. Keita is an adventurous traveler who has already been to more or less five countries. At the end of his three-month term in CIA, the country he plans to visit next is Hungary.

ENGLISH IMPROVED!

At the time of the interview, Keita had already been studying in CIA for about two months. When asked if he thinks he improved his English within that period in CIA, he readily gave a positive response. Yes, he improved! He said his English, at first, was really terrible. (He did use the word “terrible.”) But after two months of studying, he could already confidently speak in English and his listening skill was better than before.

When classes are over, Keita spends time practicing his English in conversations with CIA friends whose native languages are different from his. I asked him how it goes. He said sometimes it’s difficult because he and his friends can’t find the exact words to express what they want to mean. Nevertheless, for him they are good opportunities to learn English. (In my opinion, actual conversational English is actually a good way to see what words, phrases or expressions in practical English you are not familiar with. In every conversation, you can take note of your weak spots and then ask your teacher for help the next time you see him or her in class.)

MY STAY: “SO GOOD!”

When I asked Keita about what he can say about his stay in CIA so far, he said it is “so good!” (Yes, he used that description!) One of the aspects he likes the most in CIA was his teachers. He said his teachers were kind and positive thinkers and that they encouraged him a lot in his English studies. His time with them in classes will surely be memorable to him.

Also, he likes the food in CIA. He said some students may disagree with him. But he likes food that’s too salty and too spicy. (That’s Keita!)

The only thing that didn’t meet his total satisfaction was his accommodation in the dormitory. He said it was not altogether comfortable for him. But he likes the benefit of being able to mingle with roommates of different nationalities.

Adventure doesn’t only mean seeing and exploring new places. It is also taking the challenges involved in doing what you want to do (and having fun in doing so). Keita has done both–he has traveled and has been overcoming barriers to speaking English. And that’s a noteworthy accomplishment!