小４の冬休み（１０歳１ヶ月）に少し時間が取れたので
久しぶりにエッセイを書かせてみました。
エッセイなんだからビックリマーク！は使っちゃダメでしょとか、
スペルミスですとか、
課題はいろいろありましたが
10歳の頃のライティング力はこんな感じです。
この時には、久しぶりにプロの英語の先生にチェックしていただきました。海外赴任の後、英語教師をされていて、ご自身も2人のお子さんを育てていらっしゃる日本人の女性の先生でした。
エッセイをチェックしていただいた先生からは下記のような評価をいただきました。
「娘さんは、日本で教育を受けているとは思えないほど、高い英語でのライティング力がありますね。またライティング力だけでなく、思考力もあるので、文の構成がしっかりしています。この調子で頑張ってくださいね！」
この1年、かなり英語から離れた生活を送ってきましたが、
評価を見る限りは、まだまだ英語力はギリギリキープできていたようです。
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下記のエッセイは先生に添削いただく前のものです。いろいろと間違いもあるかと思いますがご了承ください。
On your way home from school one day, you find a magic talking rock. It tells you that you will be granted your heart’s desire, but first you must complete one really difficult task. What is your heart’s desire and what do you have to do to earn it?
One day, on my way back from school, a white cat walked by me. Then, it looked back at me, and dropped a rock. I picked it up, and it was pink! I was beginning a rock collection, so I put it in my pocket. When I got home, I conpletly forgot about the rock, so I went to sleep.
In my dream, somebody said “Hello. Nice to meet you. My name is Picalus, but you can call me Mr.Pink.” I was startled, and said “Who are you? Where are you? Are you invisible?” Mr.Pink replyed “I am the pink rock in your coat pocket.” I took Mr.Pink out of my pocket. “Ahh! Much better. Now, I have come here to tell you some important news. As an reward for picking me up, and also for rescueing me from the terrifying cat-she was trying to use me to lure mice- I will grant you your heart’s desire, but with one condition. You must complete one really difficult task. First, lets think of one desire of your heart.” I thought and thought, but at last I had it. “How about flying? Can you grant that?” Then, Mr.Pink said “Why not? I am a magical rock after all. Next, let’s think of an difficult task. “I said “What about helping mom do the dishes every night. Would that be good?” Then, Mr.Pink said “Not difficult enough. Do you have any more ideas?” I thought more and said “What about making a great Christmas card for my family and neghbars? Would that be difficult enough?” Mr.Pink said sadly “No. It has to be more difficult.” I thought really hard, and, at last I had it.” I’ve got it! What if, I would read all the books in the biggest libraly around here? That will shure’ly be difficult, right?” Finnaly, Mr.Pink said “Ok. That shuld do.”
After Mr.Pink said that, I woke up from my dream. It was a shiny day, and I hered some birds singing in the backyard. I went to my coat, and pulled out Mr.Pink and held it, but he did not stir. This, was where my story started…