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Former ESOL student published his second book!
Interview with
Interview with
Laido Luo
Laido Luo
1. Where are you from and why did you decide to study English at PCC?
I am from China. I decided to study English at PCC because I wanted to improve my communication skills and create more opportunities for my future. PCC has a very supportive ESOL program, and I felt it was a good place to start a new chapter in my life.
2. What was the hardest part of learning English for you?
The hardest part for me was speaking with confidence. I was often afraid of making mistakes, especially in front of others. Listening was also challenging at first because native speakers talk very fast. But over time, I became more comfortable.
3. What helped you improve your English the most?
Practicing every day helped me the most. I try to use English in real life, such as talking with classmates and teachers. Also, the encouragement from my teachers gave me the confidence to keep going.
4. When did you become interested in digital illustration?
I became interested in digital illustration when I was in college in China, where I studied art. After graduation, I worked as an illustrator and collaborated with publishers on different projects. Through these experiences, I developed a strong interest in picture books as a creative way to tell stories.
5. What inspired you to create your picture book?
I have always been interested in storytelling and visual expression. I wanted to create something that combines simple language and visual art, so more people can understand and enjoy it. Picture books are a very powerful and emotional way to share ideas.
6. How did it feel to publish your first book?
I published my first picture book in 2008, and this is my second one. Seeing my work published is a wonderful and meaningful experience for me. However, I also feel a bit regretful that I cannot focus on it as my main career right now. I can only work on it in my spare time, which makes the progress quite slow. At the moment, I have only completed a few storyboard pages for my next book, but I hope to continue step by step.
Laido Luo's picture book, The Pond, is available on Amazon. Click here
7. How did the ESOL program help you accomplish this goal?
The ESOL program helped me improve my reading and writing skills, which are very important for creating books. It also gave me confidence to express my ideas in English. The support from teachers and classmates encouraged me to keep creating.
8. Can you share a memory from class that is important to you?
One important memory is sharing my work in class. At first, I felt nervous, but my classmates gave me positive feedback. That experience helped me feel more confident and motivated.
9. What are your future goals as an artist?
My goal is to continue creating art and developing my own creative projects. Recently, I have also been exploring the design of collectible art toys and creative products. In the future, I hope to build my own brand and share my work with more people.
10. What advice would you give to current ESOL students?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning a new language takes time. Practice every day, be patient with yourself, and keep going. Confidence will grow little by little.
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