41 Year Old Shoe Repair Woman Gets Crazy English For Grading Certificate

Yan Li is happily coming forward to show her congratulations to her neighbors for the National English certificate.

Do you believe it?

A 41 year old shoe repair woman persisted in her pursuit of "dream" without hesitation. She persevered in learning English for herself for more than 20 years with great perseverance.

"I finally got the National English three certificate through the National English proficiency test."

Yesterday, when I saw the reporter, the ordinary housewife could not restrain her excitement and excitement.

Her name is Yan Li, a native of Hegang City, Heilongjiang province. She lives in Xin Jie street, Beilun District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, and her husband has opened a shop on Fuquan road.

The husband helps people repair bicycles and keys, and she shoes and sews.

Because one mouth can speak fluent English, Yan Li makes the residents nearby look alike.

With the help of Wen Qu Xing, I learn English from the edge of my shoes. "Since I started middle school, I like English very much."

Yan Li told reporters that because she failed in the college entrance examination many times, she failed to go to college dream.

In 1999, she came to Beilun, Ningbo, on the back of a box of English tapes, because she could reach more foreigners here.

The restaurant attendant was the first choice for her after careful consideration, because "many foreigners can practice oral English".

The first conversation with foreigners made her feel that her level was too far away, so she studied English harder and used all the time she could squeeze out to memorize words.

For the sake of family and beauty, Yan Li's husband and son came to Beilun soon, and opened a small repair shop on Fuquan road.

Nonetheless, insisting on learning English is still one of the three major events in Yan Li's life.

For a long time, she has developed a habit. Every morning at 5, she gets up to memorize English words and read short passages. At 5:30, she will watch the 9 central English Channel Festival at 5:30, cook for 6 children, and open 7 shops. After that, she goes to the shop with books and music stars. She is busy collecting shop at around ten p.m. and reading English books in the middle.

"In addition to getting out of the fixed learning time, whenever I have time, I take out English books and turn over on the sewing machine. I'm really tired. I'll look at the English Channel and learn in another way."

Such a dull and boring life did not kill Yan Li's enthusiasm for learning English.

"Without family understanding, it's hard to do that."

Yan Li said that her husband could listen to her "gurgling" for years.

For Yan Li, learning English is something that can be done at all times.

Because every day, when I repair shoes, repair cars and read books, Yan Li's English book is a bit dark and stained with oil.

As long as no one is there, she will talk to herself in English. Whenever she thinks of strange words, she immediately finds answers on the stars.

One thing that happened to see something, her first thought was "how to say it in English".

She said that if one day can not hear English, it will be like a ghost.

When the people in the courtyard saw Yan Li learning English everyday, he would ask curiously, "why do you want to learn this?"

Yan Li always replied, "because this is my hobby, just like some people like to watch TV plays.

An English book is like an old friend of mine. If you don't look at it one day, you will miss it, and you will want to see it. "

I hope to be able to round up the "simultaneous interpretation of dreams" in the future. "Learning English before is a bit blind."

Yan Li said that as long as she was reading the English language, she would remember it as long as it was new words.

She also wanted to do housekeeping services for foreigners, but she never did.

In 2001, by chance, she found a "English corner" in Xiaoshan Park in Beilun district. Every Friday night, after finishing the work of shoes shop, preparing her husband and son's supper, she hurried to the English corner.

Communication with peers became her "compulsory course", and her husband did not argue with her about it.

Soon, Yan Li became an active person there.

There, she met many friends who supported her and encouraged her, including many foreign friends.

Her friend suggested that she should take a look at the English standard.

If you want to eat in English, you must have a grade certificate.

So she signed up for the self examination.

She said that at that time, she did not know that she had to take more than ten courses in the self-taught examination. Besides English, there were so many things to memorize.

Later, Yan Li went to apply for public English, the first three grades only 51 points.

She said that grammar is not solid enough, but nothing much. Edison always grows up in failure, like learning English, always making progress in mistakes.

"After that, I will continue to take the exam. I will never give up if I fail to pass the exam."

Yan Li said very firmly.

Yan Yan's understanding of knowledge not only made many people approve of her, but also touched many people around her.

Beilun Sheng Bo language school gave her the chance to study English for free in her lifetime, and her friend sent her MP3 so that she could learn while repairing shoes.

"Now my son is in junior high school, and he has a dialogue partner at home."

Yan Li told reporters.

With the help of everyone, Yan Li has made rapid progress in her English.

A foreigner came to shop and repaired the car. When Yan Li told him the price in fluent English, the foreigner was shocked. He opened his eyes and said with a big mouth, "YOU CAN SPEAK ENGLISH (do you know English)?"

Later, when I met Yan Li in the street, the foreigner greeted her in a distance: "I REMEMBER YOU (I know you)."

In September this year, Yan Li took part in the National English examination (PETS) and successfully obtained the certificate of grade three.

"I hope I can pass grade five."

Yan Li set new goals for herself.

In order to better learn English, Yan Li hopes to do housekeeping service at a foreigner's home.

She said she didn't want to do any other work because she had no time to learn English.

"I heard that simultaneous interpretation is the most difficult one in plation work. It requires a high level of English. My dream is to be able to interpret it simultaneously."

In the face of reporters, Yan Li said his biggest wish.

Yang Jing: editor in charge