Interview: The nonstop challenge from biri to the top Part 2

Continued from Part 1… These past 18 months have been spent studying English eight hours a day on average. Kobayashi keeps herself accountable in a number of ways, one of which is by asking people to study with her, virtually, via YouTube. “A lot of kids have written in to say that the video helps them to concentrate on their own studies. “Believe me, I know how hard studying is. I complain all the time when I’m studying English, but the important thing is to keep at it. Studying is like a marathon. Once you stop, it gets harder to start again.” To maintain her motivation and improve her speaking skills, Kobayashi has been attending an in-person English conversation school. “The teachers, all from the Philippines, have such a positive outlook. If more Japanese spoke English, it could change the way this country works and thinks. Kids would be able to communicate with people from different cultures.” English is life-altering, she stresses. “English is a weapon that gets you through the battlefield of life. I’m so excited to be able to use it, and to be in the U.S.” She added with a laugh, “and I haven’t even applied yet!” (Kaori Shoji) This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.