LLH... My language learning history

Since I was a child I have had a passion for foreign languages and, consequently, at the age of 8 I entered English language course on “beginner” level. However, it was rather difficult to learn to speak a foreign language free and fluently when one does not live in the country where this language is spoken, and I often had difficulties while speaking aloud in front of an audience in English. I continued studying the language both in primary school and in a language academy as well.After having taken written exams in Bulgarian and Mathematics needed for application to elite secondary schools with outstanding marks, I was accepted to study at high rated secondary school in Bulgaria with an intensive French language and English language as a second foreign language which was listed as my first choice. At high school teacher’s approach towards foreign languages was academic and it was hard to study academic terms in a foreign language. Since I was already familiar with the basics of English, I have never had any difficulties during my English studies at school. The basic knowledge I had gained beforehand helped me memorise words and phrases easily and understand unknown set phrases from the context without using a dictionary. However, my problems with oral presentation remained as we never had enough time for each and every student to lead a conversation or at least participate in a discussion. Although I could understand written English, I was still unable to speak without constantly thinking of the right words.For all those reasons, I attended an English language course and I passed the TOEFL exam which was a major step for me as a second foreign language. Never was my intention to continue my further education in English, but after having a proof of proficiency in French I decided to improve my level of academic English. In this case, I considered that studying in English would be the best way to develop my academic writing and oral skills. The latter, in my view, is still to be worked on as I am tense at times while giving a presentation. I continued working on my English in London, where I attended English courses and gained a degree in economics. 

My expectations of the English language course at the University of Groningen are related to my weaknesses: oral presentations, writing on an academic level using the appropriate vocabulary and diversity of linking words. Although I consider myself as I have a flair for languages, it would not be enough to be academically correct when writing reports and essays. In my opinion, I must gain much confidence, which comes naturally when academic writing and oral skills have been improved on the level needed at universities.