During the orientation time in April, students who majored in English were supposed to take English speaking test(conversation). I remember I was so nervous which oral communication class I would be put in. In the interview, I talked with one of native speaker teachers in English for a few minutes.
On the first day of my oral communication class, the same female teacher came into my small room and my heart beat really fast. Wilma Luth - she was the one who put me into the top A class! In the small room, there were about ten students. After introducing each other, I thought I couldn’t make it for the whole year with the classmates who had studied abroad in high school. I lost my confidence hearing their studying abroad experiences. Soon after the first lesson, I ran to Wilma to ask her to change my level to class B or C because I wasn’t sure if I could catch up with others without studying abroad experience. But she kindly said, “Your English is really good. We’ll see in the first semester.” Even though I told her that I was worried, she smiled and said “We’ll see.” in clear and beautiful Canadian English. This was the start of a good relationship with a wonderful teacher, Wilma. She was the best native speaker teacher in my university life. Not only her beautiful English but her kindness and the way she taught fit me perfectly. The more I took her class, the more I liked her and English. I could spend in the same oral communication class without changing into the lower level class thanks to her. It was good to be surrounded by the students who could communicate in English even though some of them were satisfied their ability, didn’t learn much and focused on other things like part-time jobs. I liked her English class so much that I wanted to try to take her class in different universities like Sapporo university or Hokkai Gakuen University.
After graduating from Hokusei, I became an English teacher. Unexpectedly, I bumped into Wilma. One day, I figured out she started living in the neighborhood. I was so tired in a suit that I asked her about being a teacher. I was struggling then. I wasn’t sure if I could make a living by working as a teacher. I wasn’t confident enough again. At such time, her words persuaded me to try more. She said, “ I felt I was a real teacher after working for seven years.” I made up my mind to judge at least after working for seven years like her.
Looking back, what I needed was not making “teaching English” a suitable occupation. All I needed was an experience. I always feel so lucky to have such an English teacher like Wilma. She gave me great words whenever I needed. It made me hold out, especially I was having a hard time. I know she went back to Canada, but I really wish I could see her again. We were both born on 23rd and it makes me feel that she’s special and we’re in common. I cannot be a great teacher like her, but I respect my students like the way she treated me when I was her student. Thank you, Wilma! I miss you and I was blessed to have been your student😌🇨🇦
The photo was taken in July 14th, 2012 in Wilma’s house☺️