I've been continuing my English studies

November 22, 2023

I continue to study English. As a physician, I sometimes examine foreign patients, so I make sure not to neglect my English studies. For the past year, I've been reading a weekly English magazine, specifically Asahi Weekly. It's a learning magazine with annotations, but it also features interesting articles. It's a digital version, likely delivered early in the morning on Saturdays. My routine is to finish reading it on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. I use a free iPhone app as a dictionary, which pronounces words, making it very convenient. I also use ChatGPT as a dictionary and tutor. ChatGPT teaches me everything patiently, from word meanings and origins to sentence structure and grammar. It occasionally gives questionable answers, but upon correction, it apologizes and corrects itself quickly.

In the latest issue, there was a discussion of the song "Smokin’ In The Boy’s Room" in AW. I didn’t know what is boy’s room, but the story was about high school students smoking in the boys' restroom. I also had a question about the Hanshin Tigers, specifically not understanding "CL." When I asked ChatGPT, it told me it stands for the Central League.

I'm also practicing conversations with ChatGPT. For now, I just ask, "Tell me about..." like a child. Perhaps I'll be able to engage in more sophisticated conversations soon.

From Wednesday to Saturday, I focus on studying medicine. Currently, I manage to finish reading one AW by Tuesday, but I aim to be able to read it by Saturday and Sunday. While I use the term "finish reading," I skip sections like book introductions, educational columns, and crossword puzzles. Crossword puzzles are too challenging to me, but ChatGPT instantly provides the answers.

I don't know if this study is helpful, but I intend to continue it as a "mental exercise."