When I was a child, I used to dream that I was still studying English even while I was sleeping. In my dream, I would find myself sitting in a classroom or at a desk, with textbooks and notes spread out in front of me. But no matter how hard I tried, I could never seem to remember all the words and phrases I needed to know. As I got older, these dreams disappeared. But looking back, I can see that they were a reflection of the pressure and expectations I felt around learning English. As a non-native speaker growing up in an English-speaking country, I often felt like I needed to work twice as hard to keep up with my peers. I spent hours poring over vocabulary lists and grammar rules, worrying that I was falling behind. Nowadays, I can look back on those experiences with a bit more perspective. I can see that my struggles with learning English were a natural part of the process of growing up bilingually. Learning a new language is hard work, no matter who you are or where you come from. But it's also one of the most rewarding things you can do. Through learning a new language, you open up new worlds of possibility and connect with people from cultures different from your own. So if there are any children out there dreaming of studying English while they sleep, I hope they take heart. Learning a new language is a challenge, but it's also an adventure waiting to be had. With a bit of hard work and a lot of curiosity, anything is possible.