写在2010年的第一天

http://justunclemartin.blog.sohu.com/141087145.html

I am turning 58 in 17 days, and in 2 more years I will turn 60.  I am pretty pleased with my present state in life as I can see myself in this very relaxed and left-alone state when I can devote to something.  The very first day of a new year is a great time to make plans or pledges for the year ahead.

I am however more ambitious.  I want to take this opportunity to make a pledge for ten years i.e. 2010-2020.  That will bring me to 68.  I don't know how many years I will find myself alive in this world but I have a vague idea that I will be muttering something still when I turn 75.  That will bring me up to 2027.   Well, we will see.

My mind is turning really fast and I can hardly hold on to one idea for too long.  The inborn curiosity in me has made me a widely read person.  I have the tolerance to go over something which can be meaningless and boring to other people.    Perhaps this is why I have become a more resourceful person when it comes to talking or writing.   I enjoy putting my thoughts into written words to share especially with people here in China who aspire to become competent in the use of English.

My simple English writing lacks literary flavor so I must warn those who are native or highly skilled in the use of English that I write for a special target audience only.  It is a demo to English learners that they too can train themselves to express their own ideas in easy English.  Do not blindly drive for native English as you carry Chinese blood in your body and Chinese thinking as you have not grown up in a native English environment.  Do your best in cutting out Chinese thinking and translation when you use English.  You will be surprised that you don't have to go back for Chinese anymore one day when you are engaged in writing or talking in English.  To make this possible, you have to start using an all English dictionary after you have already mastered some basic English vocabulary

Having involved myself in English language training as an independent consultant here in China for the last 6 years, I am not surprised at all that whenever I blog, I will drift on to the topic on learning or using English as if English language education has been my lifelong career.   Well, my business administration first career ended when I turned 50 when I relinquished my senior international business administrator appointment with a 200-year old British trading house in London.   English language education will most likely become my last career and it will see me to the end of my life.

I better cut this virgin entry in this blog short so you won't be scared away.  Let me tell you the pledge now.  I will use the next 10 years to help those who are devoted to the use of English achieve their high goals.  I will also focus on helping young parents motivate their children to use standard English from a young age.  Before they can do that, they have to train themselves to use standard English.  If you are one of these young parents who are interested in this issue of giving personal guidance to your own children, do not hesitate to come forward and talk to me.