Abstract: This article is the author’s recollection of the steps he has taken onto the path of English learning and teaching under the beacon of the late Professor Xu Guozhang. In high school the author decided to choose English as his major of study at university. Since entry into the university he has stepped into the palace of English learning, and the four years of majoring in English was completed with the reading of Professor Xu’s essays on English learning. In the course of postgraduate studies and in the English teaching career, he was ushered to English teaching and research through the reading of Prof. Xu’s academic papers. Though never favored the chance to meet Prof. Xu in person, the author has proudly recognized the professor as his own tutor. This article is thus written in commemoration of a deceased mentor.