Spanish In The Classroom

I now speak English and Spanish because I managed to keep my first language. I had bilingual classes up to fifth grade. Because my parents did not speak a word of English, I had to translate for them regularly, which was also a way to practice my English

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.

School was the only place where I was able to have English conversations with my professors and sometimes with my friends. Even though some friends would speak Spanish, I would reiterate speaking English. College has been a new experience because all my friends speak English all the time. I feel that I have been improved in maintaining English conversations better (Interview, Lucy, May 7, 2016).

My first language learned and spoken at home was spanish. Although us Salvadorians speak spanish we say and pronounce certain words differently. It?s almost like the difference between the American and British english. We speak spanish but have different words which sometimes causes confusion to other spanish speakers. I remembered one day me and my mexican friend were talking about her upcoming quinceanera. I remember telling her, ?It?s going to be so much fun learning the dance moves for the special dance! Although I bet some of the bichos are going to be messing around and acting immature?. The confusing in her face after hearing me say that was priceless and I couldn?t help but burst out laughing. ?Did you just call the boys insects??, she

Spanish is a significant joining power in the Mexican American community. Mexican Americans will not forget their native tongue; though equally, English and Spanish are spoken in

My experience learning English was different from what earlier Spanish speaking generations in the United States dealt with. In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” Gloria Anzaldúa writes, “being caught speaking Spanish at recess… that was good for three licks on the knuckles with a sharp

At school, a Spanish word would suddenly slide into my English like someone butting into line. . . . I would bow my head humiliated by the smiles and snickers of the American children around me. I grew insecure about Spanish. My native tongue was not quite as good as English, as if words like columpio were illegal immigrants trying to cross a border into another language. But Teacher's discerning grammar-and-vocabulary ears could tell and send them back. (24)

I speak primarily English, and a little bit of Spanish. I grew up in an English speak household; thus, I naturally learned English. In high school, I took three years of Spanish. My third year was an honors class, and I was a part of the National Spanish Honor Society.

Furthermore, sometimes educators may be challenged in recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of Latino English language learner student’s due to a lack of relationship between them. As stated by Campos et al (2011) that “collaboration with parents comes easy when they know you are genuinely interested in being a part of their community” (p. 102). For example, educators need to find ways to show their students and parents that they care about them outside of the school. Campos et al suggested two organizations and programs that are designed to promote student and family learning, specifically Latino English language learner. They are as following:

It is imperative that in order to live a noble life one must observe, grow, and learn the many ways of the world. In compliance with these three basics of living, that same individual can undergo dynamic changes; this is the beauty of life. This notion is demonstrated in an excerpt known as “Yarn” by Kyoko Mori, and also in a short poem called “Spanish Lessons” by Ted Kooser. The lives of two women are described as joyful and satisfied when they have both successfully learned new skills. That is to say, the authors of both these works contribute to a larger lesson that shall be learned throughout life, and that is, persistence is key to success. Experience is a never ending journey that takes you from being an amateur to a master at something; this means that experience rather than information is the gateway to new knowledge.

It really is a gift to be able to write and to discover the endless possibilities that come with being able to write. One of the biggest privileges that I have, in this case writing, started at a really young age in the city of Dallas,TX. I believe I was around 6 years old at the time and in the first grade of elementary school. While in Dallas, I lived with my mom and grandpa and attended the same school that my mom taught at. I had started my first year of elementary as well as my first year in a bilingual class where I was taught to read and write in both english and spanish, and it wasn’t because I didn’t know how to speak english, but because both of my parents wanted me to later on be able to read and write both english and spanish fluently. Fast Forward 4

I do feel and act differently when in speak in another languages. Oddly, it’s not the case that I act or speak formally in English, but I do speak formally in Spanish. I do feel like another person because most of the time that I do speak Spanish is with my father. My tone does come through this language only show respect to him. On the other hand, English is my native language. I am extremely comfortable speaking it; when it comes to English, I do not chose my words carefully or be afraid to express myself.

As I get older I am frequently asked the same question by many. What profession do you wish to fulfill? Now a days for one to be successful in the working world they must have a cross-cultural understanding. No matter what job one pursues they must have a deep understanding of another culture and language. This is of the upmost importance because people are constantly coming in contact with other cultures due to technology enabling globality. Spanish is among one of the most predominate languages in the United States behind English. By becoming more fluent, it will allow me to communicate with others who may have spanish as a native language. It is of great help and an advantage to the person who has experienced another culture hands on in

“Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man's life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the development of his self”. B.R. Ambedkar, in Develop with Fact: Neutralizing the Catalysts of Downturn, p. 57. There are many different languages spoken around the world. Sometimes it can create a barrier when trying to communicate. Other times it may cause you to be judged because you have a different accent, or you use different terminology. Language can play a small role in how people’s identities are formed., The language variety that you speak as a native language is closely tied to your geographical identity.

“Being a bilingual student will get you further in life.” as my English teacher said, looking me straight in the eyes. Learning two languages at the same time is confusing. I sometimes say a sentence in Spanglish, I never notice it until they look