I am an international student. I live in India.
I learned proper English in 7th grade. Until then it wasn’t good at all. My high school was an English medium school, but no one spoke in English. We used to speak in our native language. One day, I saw the TV guide in the newspaper and I saw that The Vampire Diaries was going to start on ZeeCafe. I didn’t know anything about this show, but I was intrigued by it. So, I watched it. In the beginning, I didn’t understand anything, but now I do do. Now, I have even won many awards for my essays and speeches. I read a lot of books. At least 1 book each week. Now, I have started learning French.
I know this isn’t much. I don’t think this is what colleges are looking for. Is this a good topic?
I don’t think so, unless there is more to the story that what you have written here. It does not really convey that much about you. If you can add to the essay it might be an ok topic. You should consider that nearly every international student, especially these days, could tell a story about learning English. Your application will be compared to other international student applications not to the applications of US residents. I bet about 80% sharpened their English language skills by watching TV.
Any topic can be a good essay topic if it gives insight into you as a person. As @lostaccount said, this is not a particularly unique topic but that shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Too many students write great essays about a supposedly unique topic, but admissions readers don’t know anything about the student after reading it.
I can see the subject working if, in the process of learning English this way, you learned something unexpected about yourself. Did mastering a new language in this way lead to your love of reading or was it what turned you into a writer or budding linguist? And if so, how? If this experience was something profound and meaningful to you, then it has the potential to be a great application essay. If not, then keep looking the topic that does bring that insight.
It’s all about how you write the essay. Any essay can end up being a good one if it is personal, unique, and written well. I could see this as one that lends itself to humor as well. Ex: “I learned English from Vampires.” (or some varient thereof) and boom hooks the reader in. I agree with the idea that the essay should provide introspection into who you are as a person. It’s fine to show how far you have improved and talked about how you have transformed since you started learning English, but what does this say about you? How have you developed or changed beyond just learning a new language? These are questions you might want to consider if you are going down this path
I think it’s ok for an essay topic as long as you open the essay with an explanation for context: that it is a common misconception that English is universally spoken in India.
Otherwise, most Americans will think:
Student in India speaking English-- so what.
Hey…Nice one but add some difficulties you faced without the English Knowledge.