After coming back from the US, I tried to concentrate on TOEFL preparation. To apply Solbridge, a university I want to attend, I had to get the higher score than previous one. Otherwise, I will have to wait one semester or a year to do so. Besides, the fee of TOEFL test is not as affordable as I would take it gladly however many times until I reach the goal. Although I do like studying English, it’s not just pleasant to be under the pressure of TOEFL score.

I think learning Baduk and foreign language has something in common. First of all, one cannot rely on practical training. You see, just like many games of playing baduk without studying doesn’t guarantee the improvement, speaking or listening English without studying has limitation. Secondly, there is basic principle. People who have solid grammar would be good at any form of English, and players who understand flow and movement of stones would play well on whichever stage of a game. Lastly, nervousness triggers bad mistakes. Even a strong player makes silly mistakes when he is nervous because of the importance of the game or whatever. Likewise, I guess a good English speaker would make mistakes, too, when he is tense as he knows all he is saying would be judged. Well, I didn’t mean that I am a good English speaker. In my case, I made many mistakes because my spoken English is not yet fluent enough.

Around 6 years ago, I lost the last game to be a pro player by half a point. But, at the very next league, exactly one year later, I won the same game by a lot, and passed the narrow gate. Getting one less point than I needed reminded me of what happened to me 6 years ago. And I consoled myself by thinking I would get an affordable score next time just like I did then. Hopefully my score go up one more point at least.

Anyway, I retook TOEFL last Sunday, and the score is supposed to come up on Nov. 20. Then I have enlisted a driving institution. Because I couldn’t wait to see my score, I decided to get a driver’s license as some kind of distraction. Haha. Yet, it turned out to be very interesting?!!

Please wish me a good luck. J