Recording My Learning English Journey

Day 1.
Deepseek:
Agreed. I am your teacher. I will prepare daily reading materials, teaching plans, and tests.
From now on, each day I will give you:

1. Reading passage
2. Vocabulary + Chinese support
3. Reading comprehension questions
4. Language/grammar focus
5. Writing task
6. Test
7. Answer key
8. Homework

You send your answers. I correct them, explain mistakes, and then give the next day.

I will start at B1–B2 intermediate level. If it is too easy or too hard, tell me.

Week 1 Teaching Plan

Day 1

A. Reading Passage

Why Reading Online Can Be Both a Gift and a Trap

The internet has made reading easier than ever. With a single click, we can find news, research, stories, and opinions from almost every country. For English learners, this is a great gift. You do not need to wait for a teacher or a library. You can choose topics you enjoy and read at your own speed. You can also use dictionaries and translation tools immediately when you meet a new word.

However, online reading can also be a trap. First, there is too much information. When you have too many choices, you may spend more time choosing than reading. Second, many websites are designed to keep you moving quickly. They use short paragraphs, bright images, and endless links. You may finish an article but remember very little. Third, online texts often mix fact, opinion, and advertising. If you do not read carefully, you may accept someone else’s idea as your own.

So how can you read online well? Start with a clear purpose. Are you reading for pleasure, for information, or for language learning? Next, choose one article and finish it before opening another. Then, write a short summary in your own words. This simple habit forces your brain to process the meaning. Finally, ask questions: Who wrote this? Why? What is the main idea? Do I agree?

Online reading is not good or bad by itself. It is a tool. If you use it with attention, it can help you read more widely and think more clearly. If you use it without attention, it can make you busy but not wiser.

B. Vocabulary

C. Reading Comprehension

Answer in English. Use full sentences.

1. According to paragraph 1, why is the internet good for English learners?
2. What are the three traps of online reading?
3. In paragraph 3, what does “This simple habit” refer to?
4. What is the author’s main idea?
5. True or False: The author thinks online reading is always bad.
6. Short answer: In your own words, how can you read online well? Write 2–3 sentences.

D. Language Focus: Sentence Types

Simple sentence: one independent clause.
Example: Online reading is a tool.

Compound sentence: two independent clauses joined by and, but, or, so.
Example: You can read quickly, but you may remember little.

Complex sentence: one independent clause + one dependent clause.
Example: If you use it with attention, it can help you think clearly.

Task: Find and copy:

1. One simple sentence from the passage.
2. One compound sentence from the passage.
3. One complex sentence from the passage.

E. Writing Task

Write a 5-sentence summary of the passage.
Then write 1 opinion sentence:

I agree / disagree with the author because...

Use at least two connectors: however, first, second, so, next, then, finally.

Total: about 100–150 words.

F. Day 1 Test

Choose the best answer.

1. The word “trap” in the passage means:

A. a useful tool
B. a hidden danger
C. a quick reader
D. a translation app

1. According to the author, one problem with online reading is:

A. there is too little information
B. websites are too slow
C. there are too many choices
D. dictionaries are not useful

1. “Endless links” most nearly means:

A. links that stop quickly
B. links that never seem to end
C. links that are broken
D. links that are academic

1. The author says online texts often mix:

A. fact, opinion, and advertising
B. Chinese and English
C. reading and writing
D. teachers and students

1. What does the author recommend first?

A. Open many articles
B. Start with a clear purpose
C. Avoid all online reading
D. Translate every word

1. “This simple habit” refers to:

A. opening many links
B. reading quickly
C. writing a short summary in your own words
D. using bright images

1. Which sentence is compound?

A. Online reading is a tool.
B. You can read at your own speed.
C. You may finish an article, but you remember very little.
D. If you read carefully, you may understand more.

1. Which connector shows contrast?

A. however
B. first
C. next
D. finally

1. The author’s tone is:

A. angry
B. balanced
C. humorous
D. uncertain

1. Write one sentence using if.

G. Answer Key

Reading Comprehension

1. Because you can find many texts, choose topics you enjoy, read at your own speed, and use dictionaries/translation tools immediately.
2. Too much information; websites designed to keep you moving quickly; online texts mix fact, opinion, and advertising.
3. Writing a short summary in your own words.
4. Online reading is a tool: it can help or hurt depending on how you use it.
5. False.
6. Sample: You should read with a clear purpose, finish one article, summarize it, and ask questions about the writer and main idea.

Language Focus

• Simple: Online reading is not good or bad by itself.
• Compound: You may finish an article but remember very little. / It is a tool, and it can help you.
• Complex: If you do not read carefully, you may accept someone else’s idea as your own.

Test

1. B
2. C
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. C
7. C
8. A
9. B
10. Sample: If I read every day, my English will improve.

H. Homework

1. Read the passage again aloud once.
2. Write your 5-sentence summary + 1 opinion sentence.
3. Answer the comprehension questions.
4. Complete the test.
5. Send everything to me in this format:

Day 1
Reading answers: 1... 2... 3...
Language focus: simple... compound... complex...
Writing: ...
Test: 1... 2... 3...

When you send it, I will correct it and give you Day 2.

Day 1. My Feedback on Today's lessons
To be honest, I dont know what my current English level is exactly. But I can recognize the vocabularies shown in the passage. Yeah I think these are included in the high school textbooks.
And I think I need to improve my grammar and phrasal verbs.

Here is today's note, I chose the most impressive ones I learned:

• Click 点击
• Journey 旅程
• Feedback 反馈
• Phrasal verbs 动词短语？
• in terms of 就某些而言
• Experience 作为经历的意思，是可数的。
• Take notes on 记笔记
• ongoing thread 正在更新的帖子
• Reading material 可以说 three reading materials/some reading material/a piece of reading material.
• Memories which were haunting me for a long time 困扰我很久的往事
• Move on with my life 人生向前看，前进

So my rule is to take notes not only on what DeepSeek sends me but also on what I ask it while writing this ongoing thread in English.

Day 2.
DeepSeek's reading material:

Here is Day 2 again, clean and complete.
你完成以后，按格式发给我，我会批改并给 Day 3。

Day 2

A. Reading Passage

How to Take Smart Notes: A Simple Method for Better Learning

Many students believe that taking notes means copying what the teacher says or what the book says. They write down long sentences and try to remember everything. But research shows that this is not the best way to learn. In fact, copying words without thinking can make learning slower. A better method is called "smart note-taking."

Smart note-taking has three main steps. First, read or listen carefully. Do not write while you are trying to understand. Just focus on the main idea. Second, after you finish a small part, close the book or pause the video. Then write the idea in your own words. This is called paraphrasing. If you cannot paraphrase, it means you did not fully understand. Third, connect the new idea to something you already know. Ask yourself: How is this similar to something I learned before? How is it different?

Why does this method work? Because your brain learns by making connections, not by storing isolated facts. When you paraphrase, you must process the meaning. When you connect ideas, you build a mental map. This map helps you remember and use the information later.

Smart note-taking also helps you write better. When you write in your own words, you practice grammar and vocabulary. You also prepare material for future essays. Instead of copying a sentence from a website, you can explain the idea clearly and honestly. This is an important skill for online reading and writing.

Of course, smart note-taking takes more time at first. You may feel slower than your friends who copy everything. But in the long run, you will remember more, understand deeper, and write more naturally. So next time you read an article, try this: read a paragraph, look away, and write the main idea in one or two sentences. Your brain will thank you.

B. Vocabulary

C. Reading Comprehension

Answer in English, full sentences.

1. What do many students believe about taking notes?
2. What is the problem with copying words without thinking?
3. What are the three steps of smart note-taking?
4. What does “paraphrase” mean in this passage?
5. Why does smart note-taking help you write better?
6. True or False: Smart note-taking is faster at first.
7. What is the author’s main idea?

D. Language Focus: Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing means expressing the same meaning using different words.

Techniques:

• Change word forms: Research shows → According to research
• Use synonyms: important → significant
• Change sentence structure: active → passive, or reorder clauses.
• Keep the core meaning.

Example:
Original: Many students believe that taking notes means copying what the teacher says.
Paraphrase: A lot of learners think that note-taking is just writing down the teacher's words.

Task: Paraphrase this sentence from the passage:

Because your brain learns by making connections, not by storing isolated facts.

E. Writing Task

Write a paraphrase paragraph (100–150 words) of the third paragraph:

Why does this method work? Because your brain learns by making connections, not by storing isolated facts. When you paraphrase, you must process the meaning. When you connect ideas, you build a mental map. This map helps you remember and use the information later.

Then add one sentence:

This method is useful for me because...

F. Day 2 Test

1. Match the word to its meaning:
   A. a way of doing something
   B. to link
   C. to write exactly what someone else wrote
   D. separate, alone
   E. to say the same idea in different words
   • copy
   • paraphrase
   • connect
   • isolated
   • method

1. True or False: Paraphrasing means copying exactly.

1. Which is a good paraphrase of “Smart note-taking takes more time at first”?
   A. Smart note-taking is always slow.
   B. At the beginning, smart note-taking requires more time.
   C. Smart note-taking saves time immediately.
   D. Smart note-taking is not useful.

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

1. Write one sentence using “because”.

G. Answer Key

Reading Comprehension

1. They believe it means copying what the teacher or book says.
2. It can make learning slower because you are not thinking.
3. First, read/listen carefully; second, write the idea in your own words; third, connect the new idea to what you already know.
4. It means saying the same idea in your own words.
5. Because you practice grammar and vocabulary, and you prepare material for future essays.
6. False.
7. Smart note-taking is a better way to learn and write because it helps you process and connect ideas.

Language Focus
Sample paraphrase: Your brain does not learn well by memorizing separate facts. Instead, it learns by linking new information to what you already know.

Test

1. copy – C, paraphrase – E, connect – B, isolated – D, method – A
2. False
3. B
4. Smart note-taking helps you learn and write better.
5. Sample: I take notes because I want to remember ideas.

H. Homework

1. Complete Day 2 reading comprehension, language focus, writing, and test.
2. Send everything in this format:

Day 2
Reading: 1... 2... 3...
Language Focus: ...
Writing: ...
Test: 1... 2... 3... 4... 5...

When you send it, I will correct it and give you Day 3.
You can also send your Day 1 Rewrite together if you have it.

My Feedback

Learn some new vocabulary:

• paraphrase 改写
• mental map 思维导图？
• in the long run 在一个长期的事件中？
• essay 文章
• pause 暂停

Short answer: essay 最常见的意思是：

文章；作文；随笔；议论文；小论文
a short piece of writing on a particular subject, usually expressing your own ideas, opinion, or analysis.

它不是严格意义上的“学术论文”。学术论文更常叫 paper / thesis / dissertation。

1. 词性和发音

作动词时：

• He essayed a smile.
  他试着笑了一下。（很正式，文学化）

日常英语里，essay 几乎都作名词。

2. 可数吗？

可数。

• an essay = 一篇文章
• two essays = 两篇文章
• essays = 多篇文章

例句：

• I wrote an essay about online reading.
• She wrote three essays this week.
• This essay argues that small changes lead to big results.

3. 常见意思和语境

注意：

• essay question = 论述题 / 问答题
• essay test = 作文考试 / 论述题考试

4. essay / article / paper / composition 区别

• 你网上读的新闻文章 → article
• 你写的表达观点的文章 → essay
• 学术研究论文 → paper / thesis

Day 3

A. Reading Passage

The Psychology of Habits: How Tiny Changes Lead to Big Results

Habits shape our daily lives. From the moment we wake up, we follow routines: brushing our teeth, checking our phones, drinking coffee. Researchers say that about 40% of our daily actions are habits, not conscious decisions. This means that if we want to change our lives, we should understand how habits work.

A habit has three parts: a cue, a routine, and a reward. The cue is a trigger that tells your brain to start the habit. For example, feeling tired might be a cue to drink coffee. The routine is the action itself: drinking the coffee. The reward is the good feeling you get: feeling more awake. Over time, this loop becomes automatic. Your brain stops thinking about it.

Why are habits so powerful? Because they save energy. The brain is lazy in a smart way. It wants to do less work. When a behavior becomes a habit, you do not need to use willpower. This is why habits can be helpful. But it is also why bad habits are hard to break. You cannot simply decide to stop. You need to understand the cue and the reward.

How can you change a habit? One way is to keep the cue and the reward, but change the routine. For example, if you want to stop eating sweets when you feel stressed, you can keep the cue (stress) and the reward (feeling better), but change the routine. Instead of eating sweets, you can take a short walk. Another way is to change your environment. If you want to read more, put a book on your pillow. If you want to use your phone less, put it in another room.

Changing habits takes time. Studies show that it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a new habit to become automatic. So do not expect quick results. Be patient. Start with one small change. When you repeat it consistently, it will gradually become part of who you are.

B. Vocabulary

C. Reading Comprehension

Answer in English, full sentences.

1. According to the passage, what percentage of daily actions are habits?
2. What are the three parts of a habit?
3. Why are habits powerful?
4. Why are bad habits hard to break?
5. What are two ways to change a habit mentioned in the passage?
6. True or False: A new habit can become automatic in 18 to 254 days.
7. What is the author’s main idea?

D. Language Focus: Cause and Effect

Cause and effect means showing why something happens and what results from it.

Common cause/effect connectors:

• because → I drink coffee because I feel tired.
• so → I felt tired, so I drank coffee.
• therefore → I was tired; therefore, I drank coffee.
• as a result → I was tired. As a result, I drank coffee.
• since → Since I was tired, I drank coffee.
• due to → Due to my tiredness, I drank coffee.

Task: Combine these two sentences using because and then using so.

The cue is stress. The routine is eating sweets.

Example:
Because the cue is stress, the routine is eating sweets.
The cue is stress, so the routine is eating sweets.

E. Writing Task

Write a cause/effect paragraph (100–150 words) about a habit you want to change or build.

Use this structure:

1. What is the habit?
2. What is the cue?
3. What is the routine?
4. What is the reward?
5. What effect does this habit have on your life?
6. What small change can you make?

Use at least two cause/effect connectors: because, so, therefore, as a result, since.

F. Day 3 Test

1. What is a cue?

A. a reward
B. a trigger that starts a habit
C. a routine
D. a type of willpower

1. According to the passage, habits are powerful because:

A. they require a lot of willpower
B. they save energy
C. they are always good
D. they are easy to break

1. Which connector shows cause?

A. however
B. because
C. although
D. but

1. True or False: You should expect quick results when changing a habit.

1. Write one sentence using so.

My Feedback

I think today I learned more than yesterday.

Some New Words

• trigger 扳机
• cue 提示
• willpower 意志力
• hold off 击退，推迟
• resist 抗拒
• anxious about 焦虑
• routine 常规
• break a habit 戒掉一个习惯
• consistently 持续地
• conscious 有意识的

This is called the subjunctive or unreal past / 虚拟语气.

1. Core rule: wish + past simple = present unreal

When you use wish to talk about the present, you use the past simple after it.

So:

I wish I had 5,000 yuan now.
= 我希望我现在有 5000 元。（但我没有）

You cannot say:

❌ I wish I have 5,000 yuan now.

Because wish + present tense is not used for unreal present wishes.

2. Why “had” and not “have”?

Because English uses distance in form to show distance from reality.

• I have money. → real, present
• I had money. → past, or unreal present depending on context
• I wish I had money. → unreal present

The past form had creates a mental distance: “This is not real now.”

This is the same pattern in conditionals:

If I had 5,000 yuan, I would buy a PC.
= 如果我有 5000 元，我就买电脑。（但我没有）

If I had 5,000 yuan, I could buy a PC.
= 如果我有 5000 元，我就能买电脑。（但我没有）

So:

I wish I had ... so I could buy ...

Both had and could belong to the unreal pattern.

3. hope vs wish

So:

• hope + present/future = real possibility
• wish + past = unreal present

4. The full wish pattern

Present unreal → wish + past simple

• I wish I had more time.
• I wish I knew her.
• I wish I were taller.
• I wish I could help.

Past regret → wish + past perfect

• I wish I had studied harder.
• I wish I hadn’t said that.
• I wish I had had more money then.

Note: had had = past perfect.
First had = auxiliary. Second had = main verb.

Future change / annoyance → wish + would

• I wish it would stop raining.
• I wish he would listen to me.
• I wish you would call me.

Usually not used for yourself:
❌ I wish I would be rich.
✅ I wish I were rich.

5. Be verb: were is the standard unreal form

For be, the unreal past is usually were in standard English:

• I wish I were rich.
• If I were you, I would buy it.
• I wish he were here.

In informal English, many people say was:

• I wish I was rich. (common in speech)
• If I was you... (informal)

But in writing and tests, use were.

6. Why “could” not “can”?

Because the whole sentence is unreal.

I wish I had 5,000 yuan so I could buy a PC.

If you say:

❌ I wish I had 5,000 yuan so I can buy a PC.

It mixes unreal and real. The result of an unreal condition also uses would / could / might.

Compare:

• If I have money, I can buy it. (real future possibility)
• If I had money, I could buy it. (unreal present)
• I wish I had money so I could buy it. (unreal present)

7. Mini practice

Fill in the correct form:

1. I wish I __ (have) a better computer.
2. I hope I __ (have) time tomorrow.
3. If I __ (know) the answer, I would tell you.
4. I wish I __ (can) speak English fluently.
5. I wish I __ (study) harder last year.

Answers:

1. had
2. have / will have
3. knew
4. could
5. had studied

So the rule inside I wish I had is:

wish + past simple = present unreal / 与现在事实相反

And could follows because the result is also imaginary.

If you mean it as a real hope, use:

I hope I have 5,000 yuan now so I can buy a PC.

If you mean it as an unreal wish, use:

I wish I had 5,000 yuan now so I could buy a PC.

2026/9/18
Sorry I pause updating this thread for two days. I will move on with accurate dates instead of "Day XXX" in later replies.

And this is today's reading material:

2026/9/18

A. Reading Passage

Why We Scroll: The Attention Economy and Your Brain

Have you ever opened your phone to check one message and then looked up 30 minutes later? You are not alone. Millions of people do this every day. The reason is not simply weak willpower. It is by design. Many apps and websites are built to keep you scrolling.

This system is often called the "attention economy." In this economy, your attention is the product. Companies earn money when you stay on their platform. The longer you stay, the more advertisements you see. Therefore, engineers and designers work hard to make their apps difficult to put down.

How do they do it? One way is through endless scrolling. There is no natural stopping point. You never reach the bottom of the page. Another way is through variable rewards. Sometimes you see a funny video, sometimes a serious news story, sometimes an advertisement. You do not know what will come next. This uncertainty makes your brain release dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and motivation. The same mechanism makes gambling addictive.

The result is that many people feel tired, distracted, and anxious. They want to read books, write, or exercise, but they cannot focus. Their attention is broken into small pieces. This is a serious problem because deep reading and deep thinking require long, uninterrupted time.

What can you do? First, recognize that the problem is not just you. The apps are designed to be addictive. Second, change your environment. Turn off notifications. Put your phone in another room when you read or write. Third, set a clear purpose before you open an app. Ask yourself: Why am I opening this? If you just want to relax for five minutes, set a timer. Finally, practice deep reading. Start with 10 minutes. Then increase it gradually. Your attention is like a muscle. You can train it.

B. Vocabulary

C. Reading Comprehension

Answer in English, full sentences.

1. What happens to many people when they open their phone to check one message?
2. What is the "attention economy"?
3. Why do companies want you to stay on their platform?
4. What are two ways apps keep you scrolling?
5. What is dopamine linked to?
6. What problems do people have because of scrolling?
7. What are three things you can do to control your scrolling?

D. Language Focus: Connectors

Connectors join ideas and show relationships. Here are four important ones:

Task: Combine each pair of sentences using the connector in parentheses.

1. I opened the app. I saw an advertisement. (and)
2. I wanted to read. I could not focus. (but)
3. My phone was in another room. I read for 30 minutes. (so)
4. I felt anxious. I was scrolling too much. (because)

E. Writing Task

Write a journal entry (100–120 words) about your own experience with scrolling or attention.

Use these questions to guide you:

1. How much time do you spend scrolling each day?
2. How does it affect your mood or your study?
3. What do you want to change?
4. What is one small step you can take today?

Use at least three different connectors: and, but, so, because.

F. Day 4 Test

1. What is the "attention economy"?

A. a system where attention is a product
B. a system where you pay for apps
C. a system where you sell your phone
D. a system where you read books

1. What does "variable rewards" mean?

A. rewards that are always the same
B. rewards that change and are unpredictable
C. rewards that you pay for
D. rewards that come from books

1. True or False: The passage says scrolling is only a problem of weak willpower.

1. Which connector shows contrast?

A. and
B. but
C. so
D. because

1. Write one sentence using because.

G. Answer Key

Reading Comprehension

1. They look up 30 minutes later.
2. It is a system where your attention is the product.
3. Because they earn money when you stay and see advertisements.
4. Endless scrolling and variable rewards.
5. Pleasure and motivation.
6. They feel tired, distracted, and anxious, and they cannot focus on deep reading or thinking.
7. Recognize the problem is by design; change your environment; set a clear purpose; practice deep reading.

Language Focus

1. I opened the app and saw an advertisement.
2. I wanted to read, but I could not focus.
3. My phone was in another room, so I read for 30 minutes.
4. I felt anxious because I was scrolling too much.

Test

1. A
2. B
3. False
4. B
5. Sample: I felt tired because I stayed up late.

My feedback

First of all, I think these articles DeepSeek picked are good, because I can learn useful expressions from them and their topics are really praticle. So after reading them, I am rethinking my daily life, like do I waste lots of time scrolling on my phone every day?

Second I think I need to make myself in a environment where I can recieve more information in English and need to express more in English.