Learning a new language can be quite challenging for many people. Personally, I had a difficult time adjusting to life in America where English is the primary language. This was because I grew up in a Spanish-speaking family and lived in a country where Spanish is dominant. Dealing with unfamiliar words and dialects felt overwhelming at first. However, despite these initial challenges, I quickly picked up English through various methods such as school, listening, reading, writing, and even music.
I have attended a total of six schools in Georgia throughout my education journey. Before moving to Georgia, I spent one year living with my grandparents in Florida and attending a charter pre-k program. Initially, I didn’t know how to say the Pledge of Allegiance in English but being surrounded by classmates who spoke English motivated me to learn it. Now, I am proficient in both English and Spanish.
The foundation that I gained from attending that pre-k program greatly helped me when starting kindergarten in Georgia. Throughout my academic journey so far, I have attended three different elementary schools located in different counties.
During my second grade in Gwinnett, I excelled in my CRCT and outperformed all other students. As a result, I was placed in more advanced classes. Although not widely known, I had recently become proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English. Achieving goals as a diligent student was something I consistently accomplished. One of these goals was learning English with the invaluable support of my mother. She had also learned English during her schooling in Peru and frequently listened to English music. Despite occasional mistakes, her support greatly aided me.
The late 90s and early 2000s were an exciting time for me as popular artists like Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, Britney Spears, and the Spice Girls fascinated me through their music. Their songs not only captivated me but also helped me understand the lyrics’ meaning. Music undeniably serves as an excellent tool for acquiring a new language.
Moving on to fourth grade ignited my passion for writing when I started contributing to my school newspaper. This period allowed me to effortlessly create imaginative stories or conduct extensive research on various subjects for hours on end.
Research played a crucial role in my journey towards fluency in English. Whenever I or my mother encountered unfamiliar words or phrases, we diligently conducted research. This involved using our computer, going to the library, and seeking help from teachers and classmates. My determination to master the language led me to write for the newspaper, which proved invaluable in achieving my goal. However, reading was equally important as I have always had a passion for it. When engrossed in a book, I would not stop reading until I finished every page.
Initially, reading in English took me longer than other children due to my limited grasp of the language. Despite this challenge, I persisted and made a conscious effort to understand every concept within the story. The more I read, the more my vocabulary expanded, greatly benefiting my writing skills. Fond memories come rushing back of being a young child with an entire bookcase filled with books that I eagerly reread multiple times—from “The Wizard of Oz” to “Little Women” to “Nancy Drew.”
The release of the Twilight series saw me devouring the first three books within a week of receiving them and finishing the final book on that very same day.
According to my mother, I had an inherent love for books and would read whenever and wherever possible. This passion greatly improved my grammar, vocabulary, and spelling skills. Both reading and writing played a significant role in enhancing my speaking abilities. There are various methods of language acquisition, such as listening to O-Zone’s Dragostea Din Tei to learn some Romanian or learning Portuguese from Michel Telo’s Ai Se Eu Te Pego. Therefore, music proved to be an effective tool for learning alongside reading. I extensively read books and practiced expressing my thoughts through writing while pronouncing words aloud. Learning English was difficult but attainable with enough practice and determination – the same principle applies to acquiring any other language.
