As an architect, what is most important to me is the space and function of the building (how it is structured and how it is used). So, in many ways, whenever I think of how I have learnt languages, the heart of it lies in the environment I was immersed in and the way I use languages now.

I suppose being thrown into a majority English-speaking environment meant that I quickly dropped that. It came to the point where I completely rejected any notion of Chinese as a language of utility or value. (I really regret this now because it cut off years of language exposure…)

It took a little getting used to. At first, I kept thinking: “Well, she doesn’t even know what I’m saying. So what’s the point?”

So where did it all begin? … I suppose you can call it envy. Every night, she’d snuggle up next to my husband and enjoy lovely long bedtime readings! All in English with my husband’s engaging, enthusiastic and animated reading!