My First Language And My Knowledge Of The Spanish Language

As Zentella has studied within these three families, she finds an assortment of variation, even in individuals that come from the same family. The author argues that children coming from similar backstories range differently in their expertise in the language of their immigrated parents and the standard language of their residency. She concludes that because each family’s outlook on learning a second language and each individual’s preference challenges one another, one’s ability to learn a second language varies as well; there is no solid explanation as to why some people from the same background are more advanced in Spanish rather than English, and vice versa. Most people would not have taken into account of all the different contributions that this author describes, including gender, social preference, location, and personal beliefs. The common person would assume that acquiring a second language is possible for these families because they are surrounded by it, and that they would be able to maintain both their primary and secondary language. However, the author does analyze the contrasting opinion through observing the differences found in her study. She finds that the development of each person greatly varies to where each has different learning abilities and preferences. Where they live, whom they are in contact with, gender, and even their own personal behavior affects their unique growth. Since all have varying opinions, their decisions and values are placed accordingly to their own desire; in conclusion, these are all major factors in how people’s language skills

Marcela said the she never felt like she struggled once she got to Kindergarten and that she learned pretty quickly because she was surrounded by English. Marcela mentioned that one of her teachers was pretty hands off with her, not much eye contact and didn’t really teach her words, but other teachers made her feel welcome and were nice by the time she learned more english. She shared that her parents did not learn as quickly. Her father now speaks, Spanish, Italian and English. She said his job required him to eventually speak in all those languages. Her mother still speaks mostly Spanish and she wasn’t exposed to the English language very often because she worked in a Spanish speaking environment. Marcela believes that they didn’t pick up that language as quickly because they weren't surrounded by it like she was. Marcela says she speaks both English and Spanish fluently with no accent in either language. She can switch from one language to the other very quickly, especially when she speaking to her

So everyday I would beg my mom and sister to help me with my reading. My mom would always help me whenever I asked, but my sister was a little bit harder to convince. Usually she would help me though. Once I began learning how to read, I realized how much fun it was. It was all I ever wanted to do. Whenever I was bored, I would just sit down and write out all the words that I could. But I would soon learn those words and go look through books to find new ones to learn. I quickly caught on and I was able to read simple books very well. I would practice whenever I could. When I was in the car I would read all the street signs and names of buildings that we passed by. Reading became my go to whenever I was bored, sad, angry, or just wanted to have a little

Being a Mexican-American, who was raised in the small town of Encarnación de Díaz – located at Los Altos de Jalisco, MX, – and then moved at the age of seventeen to Corpus Christi, TX, was not a smooth transition. The most difficult things I have encountered in my life must have been speaking a new language and adapting to a new type of living. I was fortunate enough to have amazing teachers who taught me to read, write and speak in English back in Mexico, but I was still not confident enough to speak the language when I arrived here. Although, many have told me that my English doesn’t sound as if I just moved here five years ago, I still believe I have so much more to learn.

During adolescence, I began reading and writing through a fundamental learning program called, "Hooked on Phonics." This program consisted of long hours spent reading short novels and writing

When I began attending school my primary language was Spanish. My parents did not speak English in the home and when I went to school I knew and understood a little bit of English. I believe that having an older sibling helped me understand English. She began school a year before I did and picked up English from school and at home would speak to me in English. My parents encouraged this in our home and saw the need to begin learning basic English. My sister did not have learning disabilities growing up and from what I remember she did not have a problem learning English. Academically

During adolescence, I began reading and writing through a fundamental learning program called, "Hooked on Phonics." This program consisted of long hours spent reading short novels and writing

This was not surprising, nor was it an issue, since my parents both spoke Spanish at home. I recall my mother carrying around a Spanish-to-English dictionary religiously, pulling it out in grocery stores or doctor’s appointments to able to communicate with the strangers around her. The language barrier first became an issue at age four, when I was set to start preschool. I could not go in blindly, and so in the months leading up to the day my parents spent hours teaching me the little English they had acquired.

As a child, I had to navigate from an English speaking classroom to a Spanish speaking home. From eight in the morning I was given instruction in English by my professors at school. After three in the afternoon at home I engaged in Spanish conversation with my mother, father, and siblings. When the summer vacation came around, it was back to speaking Spanish only, and then I regained the Mexican accent that had faded away during the school year.

At first, speaking English was a bit difficult because I did not feel confident using it with others. The most advanced students sometimes made fun of my English. The students who spoke my own language made more fun of me than the ones who were fluent in English. The teasing by the students made me feel embarrassed and shy to speak the English language, giving me a fear of being made fun of or looked at differently. Practicing the English language with my own siblings and playing with the neighborhood kids who already managed the language gave me more confidence to speak English. Taking Spanish courses in school was also an advantage, which helped me to get better at my native language and kept me from losing it.

I learned to read at a young age. In Pre-K, my mom and I had a tradition that every night we would read a book. I absolutely loved the ‘If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’ books. I distinctly remember reading one sentence and having a lot of trouble deciphering the word ‘he’ll’. As a young child, it looked like the word hell, so I said what I thought I read. My mom immediately corrected me and we practiced pronouncing he’ll,

Spanish is my native language, however, my mother advised my siblings and I to speak only English. This was because she was afraid that we would be rejected from professional careers if our English wasn 't unaccented, fluent, and similar in refinement to the working class whites. With time, I became a fluent English speaker with a developed Central American accent but like, any other young girl, I thought nothing of it. That is until one event, in particular, occurred that would cast a shadow of embarrassment onto my Spanish language. This event not only led me to desert my entire native language but a sense of my cultural identity, as well.

All the kids that lived in my street they were all my friends, we played soccer, football, etc...Also growing in a habitat where there’s only one language that it’s spanish and everyone speaks it. Im grateful for that because thanks to that my spanish developed so great. But right now I find it like it’s affecting me but since english was my second language I still have trouble with it more than my spanish. Sometime I feel like i do need to speak it more, it’s so difficult at times trying to pronounce some words. But that’s when my spanish kicks in and I end up speaking and mixing 2 languages in a sentence. After all I still feel grateful for knowing two languages.

Being born into a Spanish speaking family has highly changed my life and the way I interact with my community. Having the ability to speak Spanish helps me communicate with not only my parents but as well as those families that may need translation. When reading an article, book , or even just watching T.V. it is very essential to be able to understand Spanish, so that you will know what you are reading or watching. Growing up with Spanish-only speaking parents who at times need translations motivates me to learn the language even better,so that I can not only help them but myself as well.

My native language is Spanish and second language is English. The language I was first taught was Spanish, my parents and relatives all speak Spanish so it is my native language. When I started school at the age of 4 my teachers and classmates spoke only English. As the years passed by they started teaching me grammar rules and how to pronounce words. My parents spoke Spanish to me, but it was nothing compared to learning new nursery rhymes that helped me grasp the language without too much difficulty. I can communicate with people in Spanish but I feel like I have an accent with my Spanish. It does not come as naturally as my English does, I can say a sentence without thinking about it while Spanish I have to think of the meaning of words and I stutter when trying to say a complete sentence. At home I speak Spanish but when I am with friends, cousins, or out in public I only speak English.