Never Too late!
I had worked in the kitchen of my children’s school for 8 years when my youngest started primary school at the age of 4. It was the perfect time for me to explore social life in Britain. I enjoyed the job; the physical work suited me, and the children always brought a smile to my face. Although my boss could be funny and sometimes shouted at my colleagues, it only happened to me once. As my youngest finished primary school, I began contemplating my next career move, knowing there would be no more school runs for my second child. I pondered what I wanted to do every day while at work.
In my youth, I had aspired to be a nutritionist, and I still enjoyed considering which foods were most beneficial for me and my family. However, pursuing that path would likely require attending university, which seemed like a time-consuming endeavor. What were my other options?
Identifying my strengths, I realized that I was very fit and healthy for my age, and I had a deep love for dogs. Fortunately, in Britain, there is no age limit for various job opportunities. Suddenly, it clicked – a Police Dog Handler! I delved into research on how to become one and discovered that I only needed an English Functional Skill Level 2. I applied to the Birmingham Adult Education Centre and began a course the following September.
Currently, I am pursuing Level 2. Despite failing the writing exam last September, I persist in my studies on how to improve my writing skills. Surprisingly, even my Japanese writing has improved significantly. I can’t claim to be a proficient writer, even in Japanese. Although I have faced failures, I continue to study English because I can see my skills improving.
In my mid-40s, my goal is to acquire the same level of knowledge as a native English speaker. I will never give up!
Even you don’t live in Birmingham, many places offer free education; go and check if there are courses available at your local area.