Good morning, everyone!
Most Chinese people these days know what it is like to have an "English teacher", since almost all pupils study English from Year three. Usually that first English teacher will be a young and lovely lady in primary school. But my first English teacher is none other than my father. Looking back, I can see that, when I was only a little carefree girl, he created an English environment by providing me with flash cards, fun English-language toys and even dolls which sang English songs!
My interest in English had definitely been awakened when I began to learn the English alphabet at school. Just imagine, he went a step further and asked me to learn "New Concept English" by myself! I was confused and even angry. I could not understand how a father could be so strict with his little girl. All the same, he never gave up and he gently insisted that I follow through with his ideas. At first, I read stories with tears in my eyes and I actually hated them because they were too difficult for me.
I eventually came to love the funny stories and, to be honest; my father was always there with a helping hand. I am sure that my English would never have come so far without his support. And that's how my father is not only my first English teacher but also my lifelong teacher. He is the one who awoke my interest, who gave me confidence and who offered me much needed help.
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