How to acquire English skills even if you don’t want to. 　Chapter 7 Conclusion (At the end of the story)

　Thanks to the study abroad program of the company I had worked for, I received a college education. 45 years ago (1964), I myself first entered the workforce after graduating from high school for several reasons. Then I experienced firsthand the excellence of college graduates. Therefore, I have great respect for people with college degrees and doctoral degrees, and at least at that time, I was definitely an education-useful person. However, now that the percentage of people who go on to college is much higher than 50%, I am not an education-useful person anymore, because education does not equal ability. I am not an education abolitionist either though.

　Academic career is not necessary to study English. Self-study is sufficient. Also, mere academic background may sometimes be a hindrance to cultivate creativity, ingenuity, and a do-it-yourself attitude. In many cases, a hungry spirit without academic career is more important and necessary.

　Humans can convert negative situations such as low education and experiences of being bullied into positive ones. And those who have the energy, ethics, etc. to make this convert possible can get ahead and do the job without going to college.

　As I mentioned at the beginning, I chose to work for a company that offered me the opportunity to study at a university at the company's expense and without placing a penny of financial burden on my parents, and I was fortunate enough to follow that course and achieve my study objectives. Naturally, it was quite tough in its own way, but thanks to it, I was able to experience so much more than I normally would have compared to the case where I went on to higher education easily, and it became an intangible asset.

Despite this, I simultaneously set out to become independent before the age of 30. I had a completely selfish plan to take advantage of the study-abroad support system that companies could afford at the time, not for the company's sake, but for my own personal use. Then I broke away from my job and started my own business. There are different opinions on whether this idea is good or bad, but I hope that today's students and young people will have that kind of toughness. If companies do not choose you, I hope you will have the will to choose them back and look back at them, and think of ways to start your own business.

I would like to conclude this book by introducing one of my favorite proverbs in English.

Well begun is half done.

Learn to walk before you run.

Ninety per cent of inspiration is perspiration.

　

　Thank you for reading this book.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Kamamoto, Tsuguru

2022.11.01

K.E.C. (OFFICE KTK now)

http://www.office-ktk.jp/　

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