曼徹斯特英國遊學之旅

一聽到可以參加出國遊學這個消息，我真的非常驚訝，甚至還一直上學校網站的錄取名單查詢好幾次，就怕看錯，因為和其他比我更優秀的同學比起來，總覺得自己可以被錄取的機率沒有很高，但是我還是辦到了，也非常感謝學校給我這個機會到海外看看，增廣我的見聞。這是我第一次出國，因為家裡經濟的關係，從來就沒有搭過飛機的我，第一天踏上飛向新加坡的旅程，在飛機裡，就覺得好像在玩“模擬飛行”，好像投幣以後，過個幾秒鐘，遊戲結束，出來以後仍然是在台北。有很多東西都不曉的要怎麼準備，我想，我就是從這裡開始一點一滴的學習。我上網找了一些有關英國的資料，包括文化，食物，交通…等，希望在出發之前可以對即將要拜訪的地方有一點概念。但是百聞總是不如一見，這次的英國遊學之旅，不管是課程上或者是生活上，確實給了我很大的影響。

到曼徹斯特的第一天，我們在機場等了三個多小時，遲遲不見學校的人員，後來才知道他們搞錯了時間，以為我們是隔天才到，因此大家回到學校宿舍時，都已經很疲憊了。話說回來，他們的宿舍很棒，大約十個人住同一個flat，每個人都有自己的房間，設備良好的廚房跟乾淨的衛浴設備則是共用的。一開始或許會不習慣，因為跟台灣的宿舍不一樣，一個人在房間的時候會感到有些寂寞，畢竟是在異國，所以常常會到彼此的房間聊天，互相陪伴，我想這是一個好的開始，因為大家要一起相處一個月，所以合諧是很重要的！稍為整頓一下自己的房間以後，我們緊接著跟著幫忙我們的曼徹斯特的學生到ASDA超市去採買這一個星期的食物。ASDA(大型超商)真的很大，裡面幾乎什麼都有，在後來的日子裡，那裡可是我們常去的地方之一呢！

到學校的第一天，Fiona便介紹我們即將要上的課程內容，還有一些有關評分的規定，環境的認識…等。有好多從不同國家來的同學都來這裡上這一個月的課程。他們之所以需要上課，是因為學校規定，要申請進來這間學校讀書得先考雅思6.5級以上，如過沒有過的話，通過5.5，不到6.0的同學要上八週的課程，6.0以上，不到6.5就必須上這一個月的課。可想而知，他們都是很厲害的高手，而我們參加了一個月的課程，無疑是趕鴨子上架，硬著頭皮上課，有些同學還因為不能適應而出現身體不舒服的現象，我想這些都是很大的挑戰，很多同學，包括我，這時候才深深的覺得自己的所擁有的東西就像是冰山一角，我們遭遇到很大的挫敗感，但是也因為如此才徹底的覺悟，才下定決心回台灣以後，一定要把英語學好，然後捲土重來。

有關於課程方面，學校分成早上上學術英語，是使用在比較嚴謹的學術上，像是研究報告；下午上一般應用英語，是屬於比較生活化的。分別由不同的老師指導，課程包括聽、說、讀、寫。

聽的方面，老師播放錄影帶跟錄音帶讓我們聽，然後要求我們小組討論，在告訴他我們聽見的內容與不會的單字，然後老師就會一一為我們解答。我覺得聽力這方面是最困難也是最重要的，因為一旦你聽不懂別人的話時，就算不害怕說英語的人，也無法回答，這樣一來就無法達到有效的溝通，那要如何與別人相處呢！另一方面它也很難，因為從小自己學的是美式英語，而在英國所聽到的英語變成為有著不同口音的語言，再加上各個從不同國家來的同學，各個不同國家的口音，要聽的懂則是難上加難，直到我要離開的那一天，我還是聽不太懂那位從約旦來的同學說的話。但是或多或少，聽力的部分一定會有進步，至少我是這麼覺得。在那樣充滿英國腔調的環境裡，從不懂到漸漸的熟悉，讓我頗有成就感，我想，對於一個英聽很好的人，他的世界裡應該不會有因為口音太重而聽不懂的問題，所以，我必須更努力學習。

說的方面，這真的是需要勇氣開口才學的到的東西。因為課程結束前有一個測驗是上台報告，所以老師讓我們選擇自己喜歡的主題，然後上台練習。老師說我需要加強的地方是我的語調太平淡，需要多一點起伏，但是因為太過於緊張，不但音調沒改善，反而更結巴了，所以我得試著讓自己放鬆，多點自信心，這就是為什麼我覺得口說這項技能需要勇氣。除了老師的教導以外，同學也是很好的練習對象，互相聊天，一來可以加強練習口說，二來也可以認識更多不同的文化。

回到台灣以後，我發現我上課比以前更主動開口說英語，也比較不害怕，這種感覺真的很好。

至於讀的方面，老師讓我們讀許多報章雜誌，互相討論以後再向其他同學報告，至於不懂的地方，則向老師請教。老師也說，我們可以從閱讀認識許多新單字，老師會一邊帶著我們看文章，一邊講解文法。老師希望我們可以學的透徹，他說：「懂得如何正確的應用就表示你所學的已經是你的了。」我非常同意老師的看法，也很深的體會到這句話的涵義。所以現在我規定自己每天都要閱讀英語雜誌，不管是多還是少，至少先得養成閱讀英語書籍的習慣，並且溫故知新。

提到寫，就不能不提課程結束要繳交的小論文，總共要寫一千五百個字。這對於第一次寫英語論文的我們，感到相當的吃力，但是我們並沒有因此而被打敗，雖然嘴上老是一直抱怨，可是我們卻很努力的寫。等到繳交的那一天，每個人的臉上都閃著驕傲的光芒，充滿了成就感。這裡的老師對於侵犯著作權一事非常的在意，所以必須教導我們如何正確使用引言，還有如何正確的編排參考書目，所以我們的小論文也需要用某種軟體檢查是否我們有抄襲。

這裡的學生跟台灣的很不一樣，他們上課一有問題就舉手發問，有一位西班牙同學更是厲害，幾乎每次上課都要跟老師辯論一番，這就是小班制的優點，我們班上只有十一位同學，老師比較可以照顧到每個學生。雖然說我們跟其他外國同學之間的程度頗有差異，但是他們還是很照顧我們，我很感謝，也覺得很溫暖，因為畢竟大家都是離鄉背井到外地讀書，雖說是地球村，但是遙遠的距離還是不可抹滅的。

除了正課以外，學校還有安排每個週末的戶外教學。第一次我們去Chester瘋狂的購物，那裡對名牌愛用者根本就是天堂，再加上它是直銷商，所以價格並不會太高。第二個地方是威爾斯城堡，那天跟往常一樣下著小雨，整個出遊的心情就被破壞了，不過幸好後來雨停了，才可以盡興的逛街。令我印象最深刻的，是中午點菜的時候，我不知道他們還有分外帶點餐區跟內用區，然後我就到外帶點餐區點餐，後來我想到隔壁坐著吃漢堡的時候，裡面的服務小姐說因為我點的是外帶餐，所以不可以進去用餐。我聽了當場愣住了，但也只好離開了。第三次是到曼聯足球場，也是我第一次踏進真正的足球場，當我一踏出要進入觀眾席的門，就覺得一切都很壯觀，不管是球場還是觀眾席，整個排山倒海的迎向我。解說員還有讓我們假裝是球員，比照正式球員出場的方式，有趣的是，因為當時觀眾席是空的，沒有人會歡呼，解說員覺得太冷清而播放預錄的鼓掌和歡呼聲。這真的是一個非常難得有趣的體驗。第四次，也是大家最期待的一次，我們到Alton Tower主題遊樂園玩。那一天一樣飄著雨，但是並沒有因此而人數減少，我發現英國人努力遊玩的精神真是令人敬佩。那裡有非常瘋狂的遊樂設施區，也有很美麗的森林徒步區，膽小的我不敢玩太刺激的遊戲，所以只玩了一下就跟朋友到漂亮的花園照相。那裡太大了，一天根本不夠，以後有機會我一定還要到那裡走走。

生活方面，真的是酸甜苦辣通通都有。

先說說‘吃’的方面吧！第一天到曼城，打算先休息，不煮飯而吃外食。當我們到一間餐館點菜的時候，發現其實菜單雖然都是英語，但都是一些比較簡單的單字。問題來了，當他們合在一起的時候卻不知道那道菜是什麼，而且價格都不便宜，所以我們點最便宜的Fish and Chips，一大堆的薯條加一條魚，在台灣的時候聽說這道菜是來到曼城必吃的，但是吃完以後卻讓我一個月不敢吃薯條。後來，在這裡讀書的一個新加坡朋友，Ivan，帶我們到ASDA購物，但是一點概念也沒有的我，回宿舍以後，才發現買的東西根本不夠吃，很明顯的，在家都沒有幫媽媽買菜，所以我那時真的非常的後悔。第一天晚上，吃著自己煮的爛爛的義大利麵，眼淚便開始在眼框打轉，但是自尊心很強的我卻怎麼也不讓她掉下來，但心中卻已悄悄的打定主意，回家非學好煮飯的功夫不可。漸漸的，大家都煮出心得了，三餐打理的越來越順手，我甚至還胖了一公斤呢! 到餐館點餐令我印象最深刻的一件事，就是到威爾斯城堡參觀的那一次。那一天我們參觀完解散以後，大家都餓了，於是到一間速食店點餐，點完以後本想到隔壁(同一間店)用餐，但是店員卻說我們點的是外帶餐，不可以在裡面用餐。我們一行人聽了全都很驚訝，但也只能離開。這個經驗非常的寶貴，讓我們學到與台灣不同的、有趣的習俗。

有關‘住’這方面，我很欣賞英國人公共場所的廁所。要進廁所之前得先經過二扇門，最後才進得到裡面。我想，他們這麼做應該是為了不要讓廁所的味道飄到外面來，但是後來我發現，其實他們的公共廁所不像台灣的公共廁所味道這麼重。另外，每間廁所都有衛生紙供大家使用，害我一開始擔心為什麼英國沒有賣袖珍包型的衛生紙，而且使用過的衛生紙直接丟進馬桶沖走，一點也不需要擔心是否會有堵塞馬桶的問題。我想這就是為什麼廁所不會有異味的原因吧！廁所很多間，不需要排隊排很久，就算在遊樂區，廁所一樣很多，這真的是非常方便！另外，學校宿舍的房間也很有趣，每個房間都配有一個洗手檯，這讓我非常驚訝，因為地板舖的是地毯，我那時就在想：這樣地板不會容易潮濕嗎？雖然地毯確實有吸收雜音效果，但是會不會太奇怪了一點。後來我才發現，英國的氣候乾燥，不會有潮濕的問題。

再來就是‘行’。在英國大部分都是用走路的，第一是因為不認識路，第二是因為搭車很貴。回想第一天，我們就見識到以雙腳當交通工具的辛苦。後來老師帶我們做過一次公車以後，我們才免於小腿變成蘿蔔腿之災。最重要的是，一號、二號跟三號公車是免費的，而且他們會經過市中心，這對於想好好購物的我們真是一大福音啊！後來跟同學坐雙層巴士到另一間購物場，在曼聯附近，花了三磅，一天可以來回坐很多次。這是我第一次坐雙層巴士，但是由於它有車頂，所以坐起來其實跟台灣一般客運沒什麼不同。有機會的話，還真應該常常沒有車頂的巴士呢！飛機、公車、計程車都坐過了，再來是火車。我們之所以會坐火車是因為帶團老師帶我們到約克遊玩，所以才有機會搭火車。英國的火車真地很棒、很寬敞，他們有分一般像在台灣坐的一樣，椅子都是面向同一個方向，也有分中間有桌子、可以喝茶聊天的地方。令我好奇的是，要上火車之前竟然沒有人查票，直接進火車，而且他們也沒有對號入座這回事，上車以後要做那兒便做那兒! 至於驗票這件事，過了一會兒，車掌先生或小姐才會進行，這令我不禁懷疑，要是有人上車不買票，他們會發現嗎？但是有關火車站的一個好處是，它是室內的，所以在月台上撘車不怕遇到下雨天，而且設計的很漂亮。

這次的英國遊學之旅真的讓我見識到許多跟台灣不一樣的東西。在那裡

遇到的人，上的課程，生活習慣…等，都讓我覺得很新奇。說真的，雖然說我們是到那邊遊學，但是不可能不會像觀光客一樣，畢竟大部分的同學都是第一次出國，這也都是拜學校所舉辦的學海獎學金所賜，當然也很感謝所有參與這次遊學的老師們。歸國之後，雖說失落感很大，但是也讓我悄悄下定決心，有機會一定要到國外走走，學習更多不同的文化，讓我心胸更開闊，見聞更寬廣。

Study in MMU This Summer

On hearing that I could attend the group of studying in MMU for one month this summer, I was so shocked that I almost could not believe my ears, because I think that there are still many great students who were worthier to attend this group than I, but I was so lucky to be chosen as one of the members in this group. I appreciated that very much. I was very nervous in the beginning, because this was my first time to go overseas, and I was going to a country which I was not familiar with; I did not know what I should prepare for this trip. As a result, I found a lot of information about Britain. At the first day we arrived in Manchester, I felt so excited that even when I lay in the bed in school’s dormitory, I kept thinking how lucky I was to come here. And I believed that I must have a great time here. In the following two days, Fiona Long, who is one of our teachers introduced the courses we were going to take and some regulations in school. And there were so many people who had taken the IELTS but did not pass the standard score school made. They were from many different countries and took these one-month courses before they entered MMU for studying. This trip indeed affected me a lot, no matter in the aspect of the courses or the lifestyle here.

Speaking of the courses, we had academic English courses and general English courses which were taught by two teachers, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Listening, in my opinion, was the most important thing, because if you did not understand what other people say, you could not respond and communicate with them effectively. For me, this was also difficult because what I have learned was American English; that is to say, British English was full of accent. In addition, there many classmates came from different countries, so the accents were different from one to another. In the beginning, I was so frustrated because of those accents, and I had to work harder to understand what people said. Thanks to my teacher, Alex, he trained our listening by using videos and taps, and then he would ask some questions and asked us to discuss them in groups. This was a good way to adapted myself to the different accents and became more familiar with English. Not only my teachers but also my classmates were good mates.

In the aspect of speaking, I think it is a skill that one has to open his or her mouth and speak bravely, and it complements listening when people communicate. Because of the fact that there would be a presentation as one of the final tests, my teacher asked us to prepare a presentation with the topic we liked and presented in class as practice. And my teacher said that my tone was too flat. Because of being nervous, I did not make my tone up and down; instead, I started to stutter. I had to relax myself and had more confidence. That’s the reason why I think speaking in English needs boldness. Except for teacher’s teaching, my classmates were also good partners to practice speaking; in addition, we could learn a lot of different cultures from different classmates by speaking as well.

Next, talking about reading, my teacher offered us many articles; after reading them, we had to discuss in group for a while and shared with other classmates. When we encountered the new words, my teacher would explain them for us. He said that we could learn more words from reading, and he also taught us grammar when we were reading. He had said,”If you know how to apply what you’ve learned, then you truly have them in your mind forever.” I agreed with him very much. Now, I make a rule to read English magazine every day, more or less, I can learn something new and review them.

Finally, we could not talk about writing without mentioning the essay we were going to submit before the course finished. That was really a big challenge for us, because that was our first time to write essay with 1500 words. But we were not defeated, although we always complained about that, we still tried our best to finish that job. Our teacher also taught us how to use quotation correctly and how to arrange our reference, because they cared about the problem of plagiarism very much. I thought this skill is very useful for me because in the future, I also have a job like that and I just preview them in this summer.

The students there were very different from the students in Taiwan. They always asked teacher as soon as they have questions. And there were only eleven students in my class. In my opinion, small class size was really great because teacher could pay attention to almost every student, and there was enough time for each one to speak out their opinion about class. Although my level was not as high as other foreign classmates’, they helped me a lot, and I appreciated that very much. I think though we all live in the global village, we still could not ignore the great distance.

In addition to the courses in school, we also had weekend trips. We went to Chester, Manchester United Stadium, Wales, and Alton Tower. Chester, where was an outlet in which were a lot of stores with almost all famous brands in the world. To the people who like to go shopping, there was a paradise for shopping. Next is Manchester United Stadium, which is one of the most football clubs in the world. That was also my first time to go to a football field. When I stepped out the door to auditorium, the scenery there was so breathtaking. Three was so wide. And the narrator took us to the field as the formal player. At that time, there was no audience, and the narrator thought it was a little lonely, so he broadcasted the craw which they had recorded before. That was really a valuable experience. Then, we went to Llandudno and Conwy Castle in Wales. Although the castle is quite old, we still can imagine the prosperity in ancient time. In addition to the castle, we also went around the beautiful town. Everything there was so classic just like in fairy tales. The last day, also the most exciting trip, we went to Alton Tower, which was the most popular Theme Park in Britain. It is a really big park that my feet were killed. There were many amusement facilities and fantastic garden. But I was so timid that I only rode few amusement facilities, so I took a walk in the beautiful scenery, and I took a lot of pictures. There was too big to go through all things in one day, so if I had a chance to go there one day, I must be there again.

This trip was so fantastic and I really appreciated that school gave me the chance to take part in the group to England. And fortunately, I met a lot of good friends and teachers who were willing to help me on my study there. Although in the beginning, we truly encountered some problems, our tutor and each member in the group figured out them together. Also, this trip made me see a lot of things which were different from Taiwan, such the habits of diet, the traffic, and the courses and so on. For example, in Taiwan, after using the toilet, we usually threw the tissue into the trash can, but in England, people threw tissue into the toilet. Because their tissue could be decomposed, they did not afraid of block up the toilet. And there were two doors before going into the toilet; I thought that was the reason why the stink would not come out. I think it was a good way to improve our public toilet. We could learn the method of isolating the stink from them. And this was also the advantage of going aboard. By taking a trip to other countries, we could learn a lot of things. Just like one of my teacher said, “We use the knowledge we learn to solve problems and make right decisions.”

Once again, I really appreciate all of the teachers who had helped us about this trip. And I think this kind of program really helped a lot of people who may never have the chance to go aboard like me, and this experience indeed brought lots of great things to us and broaden our horizons. I hope that school can continue this project and may change many peoples’ life.

曼彻斯特英国游学之旅