A 17-YEAR-OLD Worcester student who has started at Cambridge University a year early has helped one of his former teachers and classmates to learn Japanese - after teaching himself.
John Richardson spent five years learning the language in his spare time using books and recordings and then set up a class at King's School, Worcester, to help others.
"I was really interested in the language and the culture of Japan," he said. "So I decided to start teaching myself the language.
"I went on the internet and met a Japanese pen friend who helped me to perfect my pronunciation. Then, about two years ago, I started a class at school teaching basic Japanese. I was left with a small group, including one of the teachers.
"We decided to have a go at taking the GCSE in the language and we all passed."
John, who lives near Pershore, and his French teacher Jerry Owen both scooped an A* in the exam.
"I recently visited Japan for the first time and met up with my pen friend," he said.
John started at Cambridge University last week, after completing his A-levels in just one year. He is studying further maths.
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