Galina Malenko: it is not the destination that matters but it is the road that you choose
I think that nowadays English studying is a very important phenomenon. It has become an international language. The largest and richest companies are looking for employees who speak English, so everyone wants to learn it.
Is it possible to perfectly learn English? Can everyone find friends abroad? Are there any benefits in learning language if you live in Russia? All people ask these questions everyday. Today we will talk with a translator, tutor, traveler and a good person - Galina. She will tell her story.
— Galina, when did you start learning English?
Galina Malenko: To make a long story short, I started my acquaintance with English when I was three years old. In Star City where I grew-up, there were a lot of American astronauts who leaved here with their families. We started chatting when we were toddlers. And I guess that is how it all began: as soon as, I grasped the idea that the basic knowledge of English can help me to exchange sweets and candies, it was the best motivation for me. (Ha-ha)
— Did you like it at that time?
Galina Malenko: Well, definitely, I got a kick out of English because it was not like a real boring lesson. It was a more like a game.
— Now I am studying English too. However, I do not know it so well. I have a question. When you speak English you think in it?
Galina Malenko: Actually, yes. I remember my interesting experience. When I volunteered as a teacher of English in Indonesia a couple of years ago, I leaved in a totally non-russian-speaking environment and the only language that I could use for more than two months was English. Believe it or not but I really dreamed in English. So, my brain switched to an energy-saving mood and used English for thinking, dreaming, speaking and what not.
— You said that you worked as a teacher abroad. In which countries have you taught English?
Galina Malenko: Well, I can say that I had a vast experience of teaching abroad but I enrolled in various international volunteer projects, for instance, in Indonesia, Norway, Iceland, Brazil.
— Do you communicate with foreign speakers now? Do you have friends abroad?
Galina Malenko: This is a good question. It happens so, that three out of my best friends are bilingual who live abroad constantly and after my volunteer trips across the world, I got to know tons of really fascinating people with whom we keep in touch. Thanks to the Internet. It is really quite easy.
— Do you study any languages? How well do you know them?
Galina Malenko: Urgh… To tell the truth, I am a proud holder of a diploma in Italian in the level A2. Also I started practicing my long-forgotten French.
—Which is your favourite and why?
Galina Malenko: Italian is definitely my favourite one, though I do not know it well enough yet and my name is translated very funny in it, I still hope that my passion for Italian will one day become reciprocal.
—If you were now taking the Unified State Exam or some international exam, for example, IELTS, would you be worried? Would you prepare for it? Or would you go without preparation?
Galina Malenko : Well, I would try my luck without preparation because, first, I am lazy bones and, secondly, I have been teaching others how to pass USE and IELTS for so long that it would be real shame not to try my luck.
—How many benefits has English given you in life?
Galina: That is a really smart question. My first impulse was to answer that English has given me my income and that means quite a lot. But truly, what is more, than money English gave me a perfect opportunity to communicate, teach, make friends, including you, that it is worth all money.
—You are so beautiful, wise, purposeful, you know several languages but why do you live in Russia? There are many amazing countries where all your skills can be developed to the highest level. What is keeping you here?
Galina: That is curious question that I have asked myself a thousand times. Well, the answer is, I guess, the freedom. I mean that this lifestyle – working for myself, having my own business, being able to spend my time as I like it – for me all these things outweigh all the opportunities of living abroad but it does not mean that I am going to spend all my life here, for instance, I have won a grant for studying linguistics in Italy. So, no one (including me) knows where I will find myself in there nearest future.
—What advice would you give to students who do not want to study English or, contrary, are just starting to learn it?
Galina: I would say: «Hey, guys! Take it easy. Learning a language is not aerospace modelling, so just relax and try to get the most fun you can out of the process! After all, it is not the destination that matters but it is the road that you choose».
—I also want to say that no one will ever give up and go to their goal. Galina, thank you for sharing your story. I think everyone took note of something for themselves.
Фотоматериалы взяты из личного аккаунта Галины Маленко
Инстаграм журналиста:https://vk.com/away.php?utf=1&to=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Flili4ka_lila%3Figshid%3Da0o29g9g2jpy
Text by Liliia Guzik