While reading Chapter 6 of Fantastic Mr Fox with Oliver, we came across this sentence:
“The farmers are determined to catch Mr Fox.”
We talked about the word determined — having made up your mind to do something and being firmly committed to it.
So I asked him:
“What are you determined to do?”
Without much hesitation, he replied:
“I am determined to read this book.”
The sentence was not quite perfect, perhaps, but his answer touched me.
There he was, such a little boy, carrying such great determination inside him.
He had taken a word we had just learnt and connected it to something he was actually doing. He knew what he wanted, and he was ready to keep working towards it.
I think this is one of those precious moments in language learning.
We often hear people say that a child is simply not cut out for learning English. Sometimes this label comes from parents or teachers. Sometimes, a child gradually begins to believe it about themselves.
But can we really define a child's potential so early?
Learning English is not reserved for children who seem naturally gifted. It takes the right direction, steady effort and confidence built little by little.
When children find an approach that works for them, become willing to keep reading, face unfamiliar words and try expressing themselves again and again, they may eventually reach heights they once never imagined possible.
Of course, determination does not mean that everything will be easy. There will still be difficulties, pauses and setbacks along the way. But with the right direction, every thoughtful reading session and every attempt to express an idea can become part of the progress.
That day, we had set out to learn just one English word: determined.
But Oliver's answer gave that word a life of its own.
I hope that one day he will remember not only the meaning of the word, but also the sentence he said that day:
“I am determined to read this book.”
A little boy with great determination.
And I believe that, given time, this determination will grow into something powerful.
A note on names “Oliver” is a pseudonym used to protect the young reader's privacy.
← Back to the Journal