From Scared to Confident: My 1-Year English Transformation 📖➡️🎤
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part one a new beginning hi this is Elena your English teacher from Bookish English before we start share why you’re learning English in the comments let’s build our community my name is Luca and I’m from Italy i moved to London to study English the city was huge with red buses and rainy skies i felt both eager and scared at the airport I grabbed my bags and took a train to my new home my roommate Sam greeted me he’s from Turkey and also learning English we smiled using simple words to chat the next morning I walked to language school streets buzzed with people i passed shops cafes and a busy market the school was small but welcoming my teacher Mr brown started class students came from everywhere yuna from Korea Carlos from Argentina and Aisha from Nigeria we introduced ourselves slowly laughing at mistakes mr brown said “Practice daily don’t fear errors they help you learn.” We paired up to talk about hobbies yuna loves dancing carlos enjoys football i shared my love for cooking part two exploring and learning after class Sam and I visited a park we fed ducks and practiced English the weather is uh windy Sam said i nodded yes very windy we found a part-time job at a pizza shop the owner Mrs lee taught us phrases order ready or enjoy your meal customers smiled at our efforts at school Mr brown played British songs we wrote missing lyrics it was tricky but fun we read menus ads and short stories i struggled but kept trying weekends were for adventures we saw Big Ben and Tower Bridge at museums I read signs aloud sam corrected my pronunciation historic he said slowly i repeated historic part three growing confidence one day Mrs lee asked me to handle the counter alone my hands shook but I managed “two pizzas please,” a customer said i nodded “coming soon.” In class we wrote about our hometowns “i described Naples its colorful streets and pizza.” Mr brown said “Great details Luca.” I beamed with pride we hosted a dinner for classmates i cooked pasta yuna made kimchi pancakes we shared stories mixing English with gestures everyone understood laughing together part four looking ahead months passed i chatted easily with customers sam started a blog in English we watched films without subtitles catching jokes we’d missed before mr brown announced a project present a tradition from your country i chose Italian festivals showing photos of confetti and costumes classmates clapped asking questions london felt like home now learning English opened doors to friends jobs and new confidence every challenge became a step forward i knew more adventures waited and I was ready chapter 2 luca’s days settled into a rhythm mornings were for school afternoons for work and evenings for exploring his English improved slowly like a plant growing under London’s gray sky one day Mr brown taught food vocabulary “let’s play a game,” he said students drew pictures of meals luca drew spaghetti yuna drew sushi carlos drew empanadas they guessed each dish laughing when someone mixed up sushi and salsa at the pizza shop Mrs lee trusted Luca with more tasks “wrap the boxes,” she said “smile at customers.” Luca repeated phrases like “Oh pizza careful.” Regular customers praised him your English is better,” an old man said luca grinned proud weekends brought new adventures sam and Luca visited Camden Market stalls sold clothes jewelry and strange foods a vendor offered them bubble tea luca sipped the sweet drink surprised by the chewy balls inside interesting,” Sam said making a funny face they explored the British Museum next huge statues and ancient artifacts filled the halls luca read signs aloud “egypt mummy pyramid.” Sam helped with hard words “that’s a sarcophagus,” he said pointing luca repeated sarcophagus giggling at the sound back at school Mr brown assigned a project write about a special day in your life he said luca chose his grandmother’s birthday in Naples he described the loud family dinners the lemon cake the singing simple words Mr brown advised luca wrote “We laugh we eat we love.” The class shared stories yuna talked about a snow festival in Korea carlos described a football victory aisha explained Nigerian dancing luca listened learning new words like tradition and celebrate work grew busier one rainy evening the shop filled with customers luca mixed up orders giving pepperoni to a veggie pizza lover “sorry sorry,” he said face red mrs lee patted his shoulder “mistakes happen fix it learn.” Luca remade the pizza breathing deeply sam noticed Luca’s stress “let’s relax,” he said they bought ice cream and sat by the temps boats glided on the water english is hard Lucas sighed but look how far you are Sam said first day you said hello now you talk luca smiled feeling better at school Mr brown introduced role plays students acted out shopping asking directions ordering food luca played a waiter “what do you want?” he asked Yuna “um pizza with pineapple,” she joked the class laughed “pineapple?” “Never,” Luca cried pretending to be shocked time flew luca’s notebook filled with words he learned umbrella during rain sunset at the park rush in crowded streets sam taught him Turkish phrases luca taught Sam Italian they mixed languages creating silly sentences mrs lee let Luca make a special pizza your choice she said he picked tomato mozzarella and basil like Napoli customers loved it tastes like Italy one said luca’s heart swelled one evening the language school hosted a party students brought dishes from home luca made brusqueta yuna brought kimchi carlos shared dulce de leche they ate danced and tried describing flavors spicy sweet crunchy the room buzzed with joy and broken English walking home Luca realized he felt happy london wasn’t just big and noisy anymore it was markets friends and slow progress he still made mistakes but now he knew every error was a step forward luca texted his family “London is good i learn i work i miss you.” His mother replied “We’re proud.” He fell asleep dreaming of Naples sun and London’s rain feeling at home in both chapter 3 winter arrived london turned cold but Luca’s days stayed warm with routine school work friends each day added new words to his growing English world mr brown taught holiday vocabulary snowman scarf fireplace students shared winter traditions luca explained Christmas Eve fish feasts yuna described making rice cakes carlos talked about beach parties in Argentina the pizza shop hung fairy lights mrs lee gave Luca a Santa hat wear it spread cheer he blushed but obeyed customers laughed taking selfies with him merry Christmas he practiced saying sam dragged Luca to an ice rink i’ll fall luca worried sam wobbled on skates clinging to the rail they slid like penguins crashing often “this is terrible,” Sam shouted laughing a kind teen taught them to glide slowly by the end they moved without falling progress on Christmas the roommates cooked together sam attempted Turkish kebabs luca made pasta they invited classmates yuna brought cookies shaped like stars carlos brought spicy hot chocolate they exchanged small gifts a notebook for Luca a scarf for Sam luca called his family “bu natal,” he said they crowded the screen talking over each other his little sister held up a drawing of Luca riding a London bus “gratzy,” he whispered “homesick but happy new Year’s Eve came the city glowed with fireworks sam and Luca joined crowds by the river people counted down 10 9 8 luca shouted with them heart pounding happy New Year strangers hugged sam hugged Luca to more English he said luca laughed and less mistakes school started again mr brown announced a spelling contest luca practiced daily quizzing Sam whether w a t h e r no a before e sam corrected luca groaned but kept trying at work Mrs lee trusted Luca with the cash register he counted coins carefully.£10 please keep the change a lady smiled luca saved extra money for a trip maybe Scotland someday one afternoon an elderly customer struggled to order i want uh flatbread with Luca guessed margarita pizza the man nodded relieved yes thank you luca realized he’d helped someone it felt good spring arrived the city bloomed luca’s English bloomed too he still forgot words but now he could explain it’s like a big oven for pizza gestures and creativity filled gaps mr brown said “You’ve all grown be proud.” Luca was he’d arrived knowing hello now he could share stories jokes even arguments not perfect but his sam’s blog gained readers he wrote about life in London a Turkish view of England luca proofread fixing errors you’re a teacher now Sam joked luca’s dream expanded maybe a restaurant job in Italy using English with tourists maybe more travels for now he cherished London’s lessons in language in life every day was a new page and he was ready to write it chapter 4 spring warmed London flowers pushed through cracks in sidewalks luca felt lighter like his English words finally fit better in his mouth mr brown announced a speaking test “talk about a hobby for two minutes,” he said luca’s hands sweated he chose cooking at home he practiced in the mirror “i chop onions fry garlic add tomatoes.” Sam clapped perfect test day arrived luca stood shaking he talked about pasta sauces gesturing like stirring a pot grandma taught me sauce must um sing the class laughed kindly mr brown smiled great job clear and fun luca’s chest glowed work got busier tourists flocked to the pizza shop one man asked “What’s good here?” Luca froze then pointed margarita classic like Italy’s flag the man ordered it mrs lee winked you’re a pro now sam dragged Luca to a street festival music blasted food trucks sold curry crepes dumplings a band played pop songs “dance!” Sam yelled luca shook his hips shouting lyrics he half knew i’m on fire he sang wrong sam snorted soda out his nose they met Aisha at a henna tattoo stall choose a design the artist said luca picked a sun for Napoli’s warmth he said aisha chose waves for Nigeria’s rivers the ink dried itchy but they loved it school focused on future plans mr brown asked “What will you do after English?” Yuna wanted hotel work carlos dreamed of soccer coaching luca wrote “Cook in a bilingual cafe.” Sam teased “Free pizza for me?” One rainy afternoon an old woman entered the pizza shop she spoke fast worried luca caught lost and phone dead he calmed her sit drink he drew a map to her hotel using words like left bridge blue door she hugged him kind boy thank you mr brown taught slang chill means relax mate means friend the class giggled sam is my mate Lucas said we chill eating ice cream yuna joked “Slang is cool.” Carlos shouted “I’m chill mate.” They laughed till their cheeks hurt at home Luca and Sam binge watched a cooking show the host yelled “blend sizzle taste.” Luca repeated phrases “i’ll make that,” he said pointing at mushroom risado sam groaned “no weird food just pizza.” Mrs lee surprised Luca with a raise “you earn this,” she said he bought a red jacket feeling grown up at school Yuna said “Fashion star.” Luca blushed just warm a school trip took them to a farm cows mood sheep bod luca fed carrots to a goat “careful he bites,” the farmer warned the goat nibbled Luca’s sleeve “hungry guy,” Luca said the class took silly photos posing with chickens back in the city Luca saw a help wanted sign at a coffee shop he applied nervous the manager asked experience luca said pizza shop i learned quick she gave him a trial shift he spilled milk forgot orders but smiled hard come back tomorrow she said sam celebrated with Luca they ate cheap burgers two jobs big man Sam said luca shrugged more English more money he missed free time but liked feeling capable at the coffee shop Luca met regulars a student named Grace drew in a notebook “what’s that?” he asked fashion designs she said luca showed her his henna son beautiful i’ll draw it she said they became friends chatting about art and espresso mr brown assigned group stories luca’s team wrote the pizza hero they acted it out a chef saving London with spicy sauce carlos played a villain yelling “Too much pepper.” The class cheered “luca’s mom video called.” “You look tired,” she freed “but happy,” he said she cried “my English son,” he promised “home soon i’ll cook.” Summer neared london buzzed with sunlight and tourists luca juggled school two jobs and friends his notebook overflowed recipes slang reminders buy milk call Sam’s mom practice the sounds one night walking home Luca passed the temps the water glittered he whispered Mr brown’s phrase “Every day a new word every word a new world.” He missed Italy but loved his London life mistakes still came but so did victories he was learning not just English but how to belong chapter 5 winter stayed cold but Luca’s English grew warmer he practiced words like scarf gloves and snowflake mr brown taught weather phrases it’s freezing bundle up the class repeated stomping feet like marching soldiers mrs lee hung holiday lights in the pizza shop make it cozy she said luca wrapped tinsel around chairs customers smiled festive they said a little girl gave Luca a candy cane merry Christmas she shouted he thanked her learning candy cane and generous sam bought a tiny tree for their apartment they decorated it with paper stars like Napolei sam asked luca nodded but smaller they played Italian holiday songs humming tunes their families loved school closed for break luca missed classes but enjoyed work tourists came for Christmas pizza mrs lee added cranberry sauce as a joke try it she urged luca made a face not Italian customers laughed taking photos new Year’s Eve arrived sam and Luca joined crowds near Big Ben people cheered counting down 3 2 1 Fireworks exploded strangers hugged “happy New Year!” Luca yelled sam hugged him to less mistakes Luca laughed “and more pizza.” January brought ice streets turned slippery luca fell twice dropping pizza boxes “careful!” Mrs lee scolded but her eyes twinkled he learned black ice and balance mr brown started grammar lessons past tense: walked talked cooked luca wrote sentences i walked to school sam talked too fast grandma cooked pasta it felt like magic changing words to tell stories at work a customer asked “What’s your favorite pizza?” Luca paused “margarita simple perfect.” The man nodded like life they became friends his name was Tom a painter he showed Luca photos of his art colorful blobs Luca didn’t understand but praised anyway sam dragged Luca to a library “free books,” he said luca found a cookbook with pictures “easy English,” he cheered he borrowed it reading recipes aloud at home “mix flour yeast water.” Sam groaned “stop i’m hungry!” Valentine’s Day came the pizza shop sold heart-shaped pies luca cut pepperoni into hearts couples giggled feeding each other romantic Mrs lee sighed luca rolled his eyes but smiled school projects got harder luca wrote about Italian festivals he used words like music dance family mr brown said “More details.” Luca added “Smells of lemon cakes sounds of laughing cousins.” The class clapped one night Luca’s phone rang his sister’s face filled the screen “i miss you,” she said he taught her English words “pizza snow brother,” she repeated giggling “good,” she asked perfect he said heart aching march blew in windy mr brown taught nature words blossom breeze puddle the class walked in a park pointing “Look buds on trees.” Luca tripped in a puddle wet socks but everyone laughed mrs lee let Luca create a new pizza he chose spinach and ricotta green pizza customers joked but they ate it all success Mrs lee said luca added spinach to his mental dictionary sam got sick luca made soup remembering his mother’s recipe chicken carrots noodles sam sniffled tastes like home luca learned recover and sneeze at school students performed short plays luca’s group did the hungry tourist he played a lost man craving pizza where is Napoli he shouted dramatically the class howled mr brown cried oscar winner rainy days made deliveries tricky luca’s shoes squatchched “wet wet wet,” he muttered a customer gave him a towel “dry off,” she said he learned soggy and kindness “spring teased London sunshine peaked through clouds luca bought sunglasses.” “Cool,” Sam teased they sat in the park watching ducks london’s not so bad Luca said sam grinned told you luca’s parents sent a package olive oil pasta a note we proud learn eat love he hung the note on his wall some nights he stared at it whispering “I’m trying.” Work school friends luca’s life felt full his English tangled sometimes but he untangled it slowly mistakes became lessons words became bridges london became home chapter 6 summer arrived hot and bright luca traded his jacket for sunglasses london’s parks turned green and ice cream trucks played jingles melting weather sam complained fanning himself with a menu mr brown taught summer words sweat shade lemonade the class groaned sticky in their seats too hot for verbs Carlos joked mr brown laughed then swimming vocabulary the pizza shop sold cold drinks and salads healthy luca teased Mrs lee she shrugged tourists want it luca learned refreshing and hydrate he missed cheesy pizzas but liked the break from ovens sam dragged Luca to a rooftop pool we deserve fun water sparkled under the sun luca hesitated i can’t swim sam pushed him in luca splashed screaming a lifeguard taught him to float like pizza dough Luca joked bobbing on his back school organized a picnic students brought snacks yuna’s seaweed chips Carlos’s churros Luca’s brusqueta they ate under trees sharing words crunchy sweet garlicky bees buzzed stealing crumbs work grew hectic a film crew ordered pizzas for 50 people luca stacked boxes counting aloud 10 20 30 his shirt stuck to his back the director tipped him extra hero of hunger luca pocketed the cash grinning one afternoon a lost child wandered into the shop “mama,” she whimpered luca crouched “name: Lucy.” He called the police using phrases Mr brown taught “lost girl red dress curly hair officers came.” Lucy’s mother cried hugging Luca thank you thank you he added hero to his pride list sam’s blog went viral london through foreign eyes a newspaper wrote reporters interviewed him stay humble Luca teased sam bought fancy coffee for my agent he joked handing Luca a cup mr brown assigned Summer Diaries luca wrote about rooftop swimming lost girls and garlic breath “use senses,” Mr brown said luca added “Chlorine smells like clean danger.” The class clapped tourists asked Luca for directions “twer bridge that way.” He pointed proud one couple invited him for coffee “practice English,” they said luca ordered cappuccinos explaining Italian word mrs lee let Luca train new workers show Ali the dough toss she said luca demonstrated spinning crusts ally stared magic luca shrugged practice he liked feeling skilled a heatwave hit the shop’s AC broke luca fanned himself with pizza boxes customers dripped sweat onto menus “global warming,” Sam muttered eating ice cubes “rain finally came cool drops splashed hot streets.” Luca danced outside arms wide “free shower.” Sam clicked photos crazy Italian he laughed school ended for summer mr brown hugged students keep learning luca felt sad but ready he’d return in autumn stronger sam planned a trip to Brighton beach time luca packed sunscreen and dictionaries the train rattled south sea air blew through windows salty luca coughed they ate fish and chips on the pier seagulls stole Carlos’s fries “thieves!” he yelled luca snapped photos texting home “oh bigger than Napoli Bay.” Back in London Luca got a letter his sister drew him speaking English to Big Ben “proud of you,” she wrote he stuck it beside his parents’ note nights grew longer luca sat on his balcony reviewing words summer swim hero family fireworks boomed somewhere he whispered “I’m here i’m learning.” London’s lights twinkled below mistakes still came but Luca smiled every wrong word was a step every step was a story he fell asleep dreaming in two languages ready for tomorrow