STUDENT INTERVIEW: Kim Ei-ran (China,AJSP)

Kim Ei-ran

Josh:  Kin-san, ji-kan ga arimasuka?
Kin:  Sure, what is it?

J:  Would I be able to interview you for the Student Newsletter?
K:  What's that?

J:  An online magazine for students looking to come to Yamasa.
K:  A magazine?! Sure.

J:  So how long have you been in Japan?
K:  Um - I came to Japan last year in April.

J:  So you have studied Japanese before, right?  I mean, you won the speech contest and are in the AJSP class.
K: Yes, I went to a Japanese school in Nagoya briefly before I came to Yamasa. But I switched because, well there weren't any facilities like a library or computer rooms. Uh, I really should talk poorly about other schools, right?

J: Probably not. Anyway you came to Yamasa in April and...
K:  No, I came to JAPAN in April.  I did a bit of studying in China but studied from the beginning at that other school, you know like the ABCs.   Then came to Yamasa in October.

J:  I see, so - uh - what's your secret, I have lived in Japan for two years and, well I'll just say I am not at your level. 
K:  Secret?  Well, I guess it is that I like to talk.  If I get a chance I - what's the word - attack? no - anyway I just keep talking, I mean a lot.  It's really good practice.  That and listening to tapes.  I do a lot of that.  It's how I learned English. 

J:  And your plans after Yamasa, going home, getting married?  More studying?
K:  I plan on going to college here in Japan.   I didn't have the confidence to take the entrance exam for colleges this year, my history and math is kind of weak. 

J:  Math?  History?  You're taking the standard entrance exam?
K:  Yup.  Some private universities require it if you want to go there.  I am going to study for that this year while studying at Yamasa.  I have an at-home English course I am doing, my English is really rusty.  Then for the other subjects - well I'll ask Tou Sensei about math and Tabata Sensei about history names - I can't seem to understand the names when they are written in Katakana.

J:  So you do have a weakness?
K:  What?

J:  Oh, nothing. 
K:  (Looks at clock)

J: Okay, I see you have to go so thanks for the interview and good luck with your exam preparation. 
By the way where are you heading? 
K:  I have some work to do.  My part-time job is translating Japanese to English.

J:  Translating?! with 'rusty English'? Right...
K:  (Smiles)