Reflective Essay: My Experience In Primary School

I have always struggled with English since primary school. One would think that being unable to grasp a subject wholly, especially in primary school, is perfectly fine, as there will always be chances to improve. Yet, that was not the case for me. I daresay that it is not far-fetched to describe my days spent in primary school as traumatic and even scarring.

I was born into a predominantly Chinese-speaking family and we rarely converse in English. Naturally, when I entered primary school, I could hardly understand what most teachers were saying during classes, let alone initiate conversations with my classmates. As years passed by, with my proficiency in the English language still being substandard, I grew more self-conscious. My self-esteem reached its lowest in P5, when my classmates began taunting me about my poor English standard. Although I could not understand them, the constant laughing and finger-pointing from them were enough for

Being exposed to discomfort can bring you pain, but you’ll learn, nonetheless, and perhaps even more.” I did not understand that statement at that time, but it slowly daunted on me as my English teacher began tutoring me, in English, after school. She taught me the basics, such as “I am”, “He is” and “They are”, things that were supposed to be taught by lower-primary.

After every consultation, I would go home immediately, consume my meals and start on any additional works that my teachers have given me that day. The first day after my consultation, I remembered that it was almost impossible to decipher what the question was. I stared at all the questions given, yet I was unable to attempt any single one. The process was very demoralising, because one would assume that after some sort of guidance provided by teachers, I would be able to produce some sort of results. Apparently, that wasn’t the