From  Lemon tree to English writ

A few years ago, I planted a small tree on the slope. I am surprised and thrilled that when I see some lemons on the branches this morning.

While I wrote down this sentence in English put on my WeChat Moments, I am moreover surprised and thrilled that my reading and writing skills in English have significant progress. Two years ago, I launched a reading program. I have been  read five novels and four nonfiction English books till now.

Forty years ago, when I was in high school, our class gave up the English language. I have been trying to learn the English language by myself from the radio and the TV in China, but all the time, I just stuck on the beginning levels.

So when I have been to New Zealand at first, I only know a little bit of grammar, none of speaking and listening.

By my experience, I do believe that no short cut for learning any language. In my forty years old, in the new country, I just like an infant to learn the language. I endeavour to put myself into the English language environment.I went to church to listen to preaching, make friends with native speakers, working in the Kiwi company and do business service local community.

It was not easy, but finally, take more than ten years I catch up speaking and listening skills in English.

I was terrified about reading and writing in English; it used to make me very uncomfortable. I thought I might never do writing in English ，even I hugely admire some people could write in both languages perfect. Such as my idol Lin Yutang.

Step by Step, day after day, right now, I am enjoying reading English. Furthermore, I am like practice in English writing. I believe I could write English as well as my Chinese if I  could insist ten years.

微信翻译：

几年前，我在山坡上种了一棵小树。今天早上当我看到树枝上有柠檬时，我又惊又喜。

当我用英语写下这句话的时候，我对自己的英语读写能力有了显著的进步感到惊讶和兴奋。两年前，我启动了一个阅读项目。到目前为止，我已经读过五本小说和四本非小说英语书，

四十年前，当我还在上高中的时候，我们班放弃了英语。在中国，我一直在尝试通过收音机和电视来学习英语，但是一直以来，我都停留在最初的水平上。

所以一开始我去新西兰的时候，我只懂一点点语法，不会说和听。

根据我的经验，我认为学习任何语言都没有捷径可走。在我四十岁的时候，在新的国度里，我就像一个婴儿一样学习语言。我努力将自己置身于英语的语言环境中。我去教堂听布道，和以英语为母语的人交朋友，在新西兰公司工作，为当地的社区提供商业服务。这并不容易，但最后，花了十多年的时间，我赶上了英语口语和听力技能的英语。

我很害怕用英语阅读和写作，这曾经让我很不舒服。我想我可能永远不会用英语写作，即使我非常钦佩一些人可以用两种语言写作的完美。比如我的偶像林语堂。

一步一步，日复一日，现在，我正在享受阅读英语的乐趣。此外，我喜欢练习英语写作。如果我坚持十年，我相信我能写得和我的中文一样好。