Darren, 28, from Hong Kong – Student Success Story at Native English College Adelaide
Self-Introduction
Hi, my name is Darren. I am 28 years old and I moved to Australia from Hong Kong. Back home, I worked as an engineer, spending my days in a highly technical, fast-paced environment. Moving to South Australia to focus on my education has been a massive turning point, allowing me to find a sense of personal peace that I never experienced in Hong Kong.
Why I Wanted to Study English
When I was younger, I had a deep fascination with philosophy, starting with Socrates and his timeless question, “Who are you?” As I pursued this interest, I quickly realized that most of the world’s most amazing philosophical works and modern ideas were originally written in English.
While I spent my early twenties believing I could just rely on Cantonese, the reality of my ambitions eventually caught up with me. I knew that if I wanted to unlock higher education opportunities and achieve my dream of confidently communicating with people from all over the world, I needed to master the language.
The Most Difficult Parts of Learning English
For a long time, I actually hated English. Because of a strict kindergarten teacher who forced me to memorize five words before I could go to break, I grew up viewing English as an indecipherable IT code rather than a tool for human connection.
Years later, I joined the British Council and realized my speaking was naturally quite fluent because I simply ignored grammar rules and said what I wanted. However, my vocabulary was limited to about 1,000 words, and I had absolutely zero confidence when it came to reading, writing, or listening. I could speak, but I couldn’t use the language properly.
My Experience Studying at Native English College
When I first arrived at Native English College, my grammar was completely non-existent. I would constantly say things like “I will going” instead of “I will go”. What sets this English language school in Adelaide apart from previous schools I attended is that the teachers actually correct your errors on the spot.
The teaching quality here is outstanding:
- Targeted Learning: My teacher, Daniel, completely transformed my understanding of the language by dedicating targeted sessions to gerunds and infinitives—the exact areas I struggled with most.
- Customized Curriculum: Another fantastic teacher, Claire, continuously observes what individual students are getting wrong and seamlessly integrates those weak points into the lessons to ensure we genuinely improve.
- Seamless Teacher Handovers: The organization of the ELICOS courses is brilliant. On Tuesdays, the early-week teacher hands over a detailed Excel sheet to the late-week teacher, mapping out exactly what the class accomplished and what specific areas need focus over the next two days.
What I Love About Adelaide
I absolutely love the people here; the city has an incredibly warm and friendly vibe. Adelaide has given me the space to slow down and connect with myself. I have discovered two favorite spots where I spend my free time: Veale Gardens, where I enjoy peaceful “me time” walking among nature and listening to the birds, and the Art Gallery of South Australia, where I can immerse myself in art and find true inner peace.
My Goals for the Future
My primary goal is to achieve true fluency and build an inner confidence that doesn’t depend on what others think. I am preparing for a major life change: shifting away from my engineering background to pursue a Master’s degree in counseling and psychotherapy. Once qualified, I want to use my journey to help others, offering therapy fluently in both English and Cantonese.
Final Message to Future Students
If you are thinking about moving abroad to study English in Adelaide, don’t let past academic trauma or a fear of grammar hold you back. I used to think English was an impossible code to crack, but the supportive community and structured guidance at Native English College proved me wrong. If you want to change your career, improve your mind, and experience life in a friendly, beautiful city, this is exactly where you belong.
