You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Michelle who writes:...When I go abroad I always take a dictionary with me. How often do you go abroad? How long have you been studying T=English? Are you confident while speaking English to somebody or do you always need a dictionary?Last week I found out that I had lost my suitcase and I'm leaving for New York in a fortnight...
Write a letter to Michelle.

Dear Michelle,

Thank you so much for your latest letter! It's always a pleasure to hear from you and learn about your adventures and experiences. It sounds like you're having an eventful time, even with the unexpected mishap of losing your suitcase. I hope everything works out smoothly for your trip to New York.

To answer your questions, I don't travel abroad very frequently, perhaps once every couple of years. It's always an exciting experience that I look forward to with great anticipation. Exploring new cultures, trying different cuisines, and meeting people from various backgrounds is incredibly enriching.

I've been studying English for quite a few years now, I would say roughly about 8 years. It started in school and I've continued to learn and practice it ever since. English is such a versatile and widely spoken language that it has always felt essential to learn it well.

Speaking of confidence in using English, it's been a journey. Initially, I found it quite daunting to converse in English, especially with native speakers. The fear of making mistakes or not being understood was always at the back of my mind. However, over the years, with consistent practice and exposure, I've become much more comfortable. I won't say I'm perfectly fluent, but I can hold conversations on a variety of topics without constantly reaching for a dictionary. That said, I do like to have a dictionary app on my phone, just in case I come across unfamiliar words or phrases. It's more about enhancing my vocabulary now than a necessity for basic communication.

I'm sorry to hear about your suitcase; that must be quite stressful, especially with your upcoming trip. Have you been able to replace some of the essentials you lost? Sometimes, these unfortunate events lead us to unexpected adventures or new discoveries. I hope that will be the case for you, and your trip to New York turns out to be even more memorable, in a good way!

Please do share more about your New York trip once you're back. I'd love to hear all about it, from the places you visited to the food you enjoyed and the people you met. Safe travels, and I look forward to your next letter!

Warm regards,

[Your Name]