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Satoshi Onoda
I was a web designer in Tokyo and left there to Australia for studying English. After 18months studying, I came back to Japan and web design industory. Currently, I'm working as a desiner for a company.
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Recent Entries
- 28th September 2009
My mobile has been broken - 30th December 2008
Park Hyatt Tokyo Peak Bar - 22nd December 2008
Spending Christmas at oversea. - 18th October 2008
for a reminder of my existance. - 22nd April 2008
Kyoto 8th day and after the journey - 20th April 2008
Kyoto the 6th and 7th day - 19th April 2008
Kyoto the 3rd to 5th day - 13th April 2008
Kyoto the 2nd day
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30th Nov 2007
English English
It may sound like I’m boasting, but let me say one thing.
I passed the top grade of Eiken (English certificate organised by Japanese Government). Even I was surprised the fact because the exam is regarded as the one of the most difficult English certificates among Japanese people. The pass rate of it is merely 15%.
Though my score was just above the border, anyway it’s real that I got it.
On February 2005, I’d left Japan to Australia to study English. Looking at the achievement of the past three years, I’d like to pat myself on the back. Well done. Actually I feel kind of embarrassed when I read my writings which I wrote at the very beginning stage.
Nevertheless, I’m painfully aware of the fact that I’m not really an advanced English speaker. Well, I could say, as a Japanese, I should be reasonably better than others but I find myself struggling with talking in English at the office and many unfamiliar words come up when I read some magazines. Indeed I’m still far behind of my ideal self-image.
I often quote these phrases from my favourite songs.
“The higher the wall is the higher the pleasure of the achievement will be.”
“You never stop growing as long as you desire.”
Well, my motivation won’t wear off!
30th Dec 2006
TOEIC
I tried TOEIC exam last November. Although I have CAE which is quite strong English certificate, TOEIC is by far the most widely accepted certificate among Japanese society, and I was actually keen on my score. For the present, I set my goal, 900 point. Incidentally, I had never tried this before.
All in all, I managed to achieve it even though hadn’t study a lot. Anyway, I saved my face as a CAE holder. In fact, 900 over is pretty much as a Japanese, however, as an advanced English speaker, this is the starting point. I can fairly make use of English without big problems but there are still huge gup between native speakers.
In the final analysis, it subjects to my aspiration as usual. Actually, I don’t need such a proficient English, but certainly it’s quite useful. So, next year I’ll continue study English and maybe try the highest grade for Japanese official English certificate.
18th Mar 2006
my graduation
At last, I’ve finished my course yesterday. Fifty weeks(to be precise, including holyday, I’ve been here 55 weeks), it was such a long journey. When I came here, I started “lower intermediate” level and finally I achieved “advanced” level. Last December, when I finished previous Cambridge course, I got “pre-advanced” level. So, I was able to advance further from that point.
As a perfectionist, I’m likely to think I could’ve done more but I’m proud of my achievement. According to teachers, few people can achieve this level from lower intermediate for one year.
Well, it is not the end. English is not my long-term purpose. Although the reason why I came here is studying English, I should consider about the reason why I learn English. English is, basically, one of the ways to achieve my dreams.
The first reason is for my feature job. My English should help me to do web designing and so on. Actually, in these days I often read documents and web sites about technical topic. Thinking about Flash, a tremendous amount of information is still only English. Despite that, I can make use of it. Besides this, maybe I can join some community on the Internet. Now, I can give comments quite easily. It’s a good advantage for job hunting, isn’t it?
The second reason is for travelling. I would like to travel around the world in the future and in that case, English should be so helpful because it’s the most dominant language of the world. Now I can speak it; thus, anywhere I can go.
Therefore, I’m going on a trip for a month from tomorrow! At first, I’ll go to Sydney by train. It’s gonna take 70 hours. Even though it takes 3 hours by airplane from Perth to Sydney, it takes 3 nights by train! In addition, I don’t have a bed. I can use only a seat. Moreover, there are just a few things to do. I can see only the horizon. One teacher advised me that it would be a good opportunity to discover myself.
During this trip, I will upload my travelogue as much as possible. So, visit this site often and give some comments.
Indeed, I’m supposed to feel something sentimental for guraduation. However because of this trip, I’m just excited. I found similar feeling when I left Japan. Yeah, it’s the end but also the beginning of my new journey too!
27th Feb 2006
One Year Anniversary!
Since when I arrived here, finally one year has passed.
Time is absolutely frying by.
In retrospect, in this past year, I’ve experienced so many things.
Intensive studying, unforgettable trips, and so on.
In fact I’ve got some bitter memories, but so far everything has become a part of my precious memories. Probably I still have around 5months remaining, so I’ll make use of these fantastic times.
What’s more, I have to tell one bad news, although this is an “anniversary”.
The news is I failed CAE, which I tried last December.
Nevertheless, actually, I’m not filled with remorse.
The fact I didn’t pass the exam was actually sad.
However, I’m convinced that if I’d joined FCE, which is lower than CAE, I could’ve passed quite easily but I couldn’t have made this improvement.
I tried earnestly but couldn’t make it. That’s all.
I don’t wanna say any ifs and buts.
Fortunately, I still have an opportunity to take revenge on it.
Probably this June, I’m going to try it again.
If I keep study continuously, hopefully, I can get it next time.