もう何年か忘れましたけど、英語版のメルマガをMediumというブログプラットフォームに、毎週欠かさず掲載しています。
反応があるのかどうかも、実はずっとわからないままでした。それでも、続けてこられたのは、たぶん、それが“自分の強み”なんだと思います。記事を出し終えた瞬間、「これ、最高の記事が書けた」と思える。それって、自分の中で完結してるようで、でもちゃんと、外の誰かに届く準備が整っているという感覚なんですよね（笑）書き続けていくと、「最高」も更新されていきます。
今回は「習慣のシンフォニー」シリーズとして、英語学習の試行錯誤について、あらためて記事を書きました。
2013年に英会話レッスンをはじめ、2014年にイギリスでの2週間留学で打ちのめされ、自分の課題が明確になったあの体験。
そして2016年からは、英語が完璧じゃないまま、英会話の先生に助けてもらう形で英語メルマガを書き始めた日々。
あの頃の私は、“ちゃんと伝えよう”と思う気持ちが、先生のやる気を引き出していたことにも気づきました。「生徒が準備をしてくることで、先生も変わる」そんな当たり前のようで忘れがちな、共創のはじまりの原則。
そして、その記事に……ついにコメントが届いたのです。
それは、「わかる」と「続けてよかった」が同時に重なるような出来事で。書くことが“誰かに触れる”って、こういうことなんだなと思いました。
反応がなくても続けられる、というのは強み。でも、反応があるときの喜びは、格別です。そして、その反応が「共鳴」であるならなおさらです。
そして欧米人独特なのが、自分の経験を語りつつ、共感を示し、最後に「対話を続ける前提で返してくれる」のです。だから、私は返信をしました。
★頂いた感想
I can really relate to your experience. I've been there with language learning. I took Spanish classes for a while, and like you, I thought I was making progress. But then I went to a Spanish-speaking country, and it was a whole different ballgame. I couldn't keep up with the conversations at all. It was frustrating.
That's when I realized I needed to focus on my listening skills too. I started using apps that had audio exercises and tried to shadow the words. It made a big difference. It's amazing how much it helps your ears get used to the language and your mouth form the words.
I'm curious, did you keep up with shadowing after that? And did you find any other techniques that really helped you move forward in your English learning journey?
★私の返信
Thank you so much for reading the article and sending me a message!
It sounds like you had almost the exact same experience!
I actually completed the final stage of the Callan Method—a British-style intensive English conversation course—through online lessons.
I did 25 minutes a day for about a year and a half, and it really helped me develop an “English brain”!
It was a tough, no-mercy kind of lesson, but amazingly, the brain does adapt!
By the way, I really admire your courage for jumping into a full immersion experience and getting overwhelmed in real life.
That takes guts!
Let’s both keep going on this language journey! You’ve got this!
🚲 Brunoに乗って、新しい世界線へ！
My First Comment on My English Blog!
2025.05.21 01:00
I honestly don’t remember how many years it’s been, but I’ve been posting my English newsletter on Medium every week without fail.
To be honest, I never really knew if anyone was reading it or reacting to it.
And yet, I kept going. Maybe it’s because that’s my strength—this ability to continue.
Every time I publish, I think, “This might be the best thing I’ve ever written.”
It’s a moment of completion within myself, but at the same time, I somehow feel like it’s already prepared to reach someone out there. (laughs)
As I keep writing, that definition of “best” keeps evolving.
This time, as part of my Symphony of Habits series, I wrote a piece reflecting on my trials and errors in learning English.
Symphony of Habits Epi.17 | The Day ‘Learning’ Became ‘Co-Creation’
→ Read on Medium
“Co-habits are easy to co-continue. If you can’t solo-continue, try to co-continue, and empowering your co-partner makes co-continuing even co-easier.”
—from “LifeCoach, and beyond...” by Hitomi
I started English lessons in 2013.
In 2014, I studied abroad in the UK for two weeks and was completely overwhelmed. That experience clarified the areas I needed to work on.
In 2016, even though my English wasn’t perfect, I started writing English newsletters with the help of my English teacher.
Looking back, I realize now that my desire to communicate “properly” actually motivated my teacher too.
“When a student comes prepared, the teacher also changes.”
It’s such a simple but often-forgotten principle of co-creation.
And then—finally—this piece received a comment.
It was the kind of moment when the feelings of “I totally get it” and “I’m so glad I kept going” overlapped.
That’s when I realized: this is what it means for writing to touch someone.
Being able to keep going without feedback is a strength.
But the joy of receiving a response? That’s something special.
And when that response carries resonance, it’s even more powerful.
What’s uniquely beautiful about Western readers is how they share their own experiences, show empathy, and then—without needing to be prompted—invite further conversation.
So of course, I replied.
🚲 Riding Bruno into a new world line!
★Reader's Comment
I can really relate to your experience. I've been there with language learning. I took Spanish classes for a while, and like you, I thought I was making progress. But then I went to a Spanish-speaking country, and it was a whole different ballgame. I couldn't keep up with the conversations at all. It was frustrating.
That's when I realized I needed to focus on my listening skills too. I started using apps that had audio exercises and tried to shadow the words. It made a big difference. It's amazing how much it helps your ears get used to the language and your mouth form the words.
I'm curious, did you keep up with shadowing after that? And did you find any other techniques that really helped you move forward in your English learning journey?
★From me
Thank you so much for reading the article and sending me a message!
It sounds like you had almost the exact same experience!
I actually completed the final stage of the Callan Method—a British-style intensive English conversation course—through online lessons.
I did 25 minutes a day for about a year and a half, and it really helped me develop an “English brain”!
It was a tough, no-mercy kind of lesson, but amazingly, the brain does adapt!
By the way, I really admire your courage for jumping into a full immersion experience and getting overwhelmed in real life.
That takes guts!
Let’s both keep going on this language journey! You’ve got this!
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