From Spanish to English: Becoming Literate in America

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For as long as I can remember learning how to read and write was a real challenge for me. When I first arrived in the United States I was enrolled at the nearby elementary school. Being from another country I was scared and embarrassed because I was different then the other children in my class. Talking and communicating with others was something that wasn't in the interest of what I wanted to do. I sat far away from others depriving myself of what they were doing or learning. Coming from Mexico and going to a school where no other children would speak the same language that I would or even play the way I did made me believe that I was some sort of thing that didn't belong. All these contributed to a low esteemed child that was unable to communicate. The world I was in suddenly became a place that I didn't know. To the kids and others in my class I was an illiterate person. As the only kid in my class that couldn't read or write in the same language I was felt out of many activates. The only thing that really helped me was the support of the teachers. They encouraged me to try the best that I could. The only first grader in my class that was illiterate because of the difference in language made me realize that just because we don't understand a different language or culture doesn't mean we are dumb or stupid. After a while I was now beginning to understand the things that my teacher was teaching and understanding the language that the children in the classroom were speaking. It didn't sound like a whole bunch of "blah blah" anymore. I remember the first story that I wrote in my second grade class. It was about a family of baby cats and it wasn't even that long but to me it took forever to write. I was very... ... middle of paper ... ... you did not know. Though my writing made a complete turn from first grade to my senior year in high school I still try and make it better each time. I do believe that knowledge is power and power some how is reflected the way you view life. When I write I like to talk about things that represent yourself and views of how people reflect them selves as literate individuals. Being literate does not only mean that you understand to read and write. I believe that it’s a way you take advantage of what is given to you. Having the power to understand and acknowledge what is being said and read gives and great advantage of literacy. Graduating with honors from my senior class has given me greater self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment .Now being literate has given me great opportunities such as coming to college and given hope that we can do anything in this world

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