Write An Essay About A Time When You Speak Spanish

I slowly began losing the language I used to speak so much, Spanish. As the years went by in Elementary

I was only nine years old, the year 1991. 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 español only, and then I regained the Mexican accent that had faded away during the school year.

Initially, I was an Ecuadorian girl that had a Christian family, I grew up surrounded by my family and loved ones. My cognitive development was in progress, and I had created fundamental bonds in Ecuador. Provided that my dad is an American citizen and due to his work in America, he could not spend too much time with us in Ecuador, so, my mom, my little brother, and I immigrated to America. After three years of my life, our family reunited, and I became an Ecuadorian-American. Since I was very young, assimilating the changes came to be unnoticed, if it weren’t for the fact that during the next years I spoke Spanish at home and English at school. As a result, my translations of these languages affected my communication, creating slow comprehensive

Learning does not always have to be in a classroom it can be in a small room that is very much unorganized. One activity that is offered by my school is a Spanish class. First, I find this particular activity very exciting, yet interesting, and different for the schools interests also the student’s and teacher’s interests. Second, we get to socialize with the other students and teachers. Last, it is more hands on than any other classes that I could possibly think of. As can be seen, it is more fun than any other class that I know and can think of.

Looking back at my early childhood filled with many events and memories, I remember one in particular when my parents taught me my native language, Spanish, by reading books to me any chance they had. Beginning at the age of 8, I would bring home a variety of books from school eager to read them and learn new words. I spent a great amount of time reading that I eventually decided to move into short novels. This helped me improve so much that I never had trouble speaking Spanish. I vividly remember in my small class of 15 students, me speaking Spanish more fluently than any of my other classmates. Proud would be an understatement. This soon changed when I began second grade in the fall of 2006 with Ms. Magaña.

Rodriguez was not the only one who did not have the confidence and felt comfortable in English. “In public, my father and mother spoke hesitant, accented, not always grammatical English” (Rodriguez 536). They were not ashamed of where they came from but because they were well aware of the fact that they did not sound like gringos. Their voice and the tones were lower compared to when they spoke in Spanish. “I was unable to hear my own sounds, but I know very well that I spoke English poorly” (Rodriguez 536).

Although I did not grow up speaking Spanish at home, it always fascinated me that my father, having been born and raised in Puerto Rico, spoke two languages fluently. As a child, it felt like he could communicate with everyone. As I grew, I realized that speaking two languages was an advantage not all people experience. There’s a camaraderie people feel when you can speak to them in their native tongue, and this inspired me to take my Spanish language studies seriously. I wanted to become part of my own culture, and heritage. I felt exhilarated when I was inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society. In learning to speak Spanish I felt one step closer to embracing my roots.

Booker T. Washington, an American educator, said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” The “happiness” to which Washington refers, is shown to the Hispanic community through the nonprofit organization, El Centro Hispano. This organization cherishes volunteers who show an aptitude for learning and contributes to the community. Within five years of volunteering, I have developed into a mature young lady with a desirable passion for helping out the Hispanic community. I had the pleasure to volunteer at El Centro Hispano, which offers educational programs or financial assistance to those in need.

My palms were sweaty as I walked into the University of North Carolina Hospital (UNCH) for my first day. As I navigated through all of the patients and doctors I realized I was out of my element. I only knew how to get to two places: the gift shop, where I told to volunteer, and volunteer services, where I was told to check in. As I walked out of volunteer services a young woman holding a baby called out “Do you speak spanish?”. “Un poco,” I replied - referring to my school’s spanish classes that definitely had not prepared me for this moment. She began to explain how she was lost and that she didn’t know how to get to the neonatal ICU. In broken spanish, and on my first day, I managed to guide her back to volunteer services where a real translator took over.

On a trip to the glitzy city of Chicago, my mamá was ecstatic to point out those of a mutual heritage. Having come from the humble city of Morgantown, there was much more diversity to behold. “Look, Mariel! They speak Spanish, like you and me! These are our people!” I looked and saw many Mexicans around me. Kitchen boys, street cleaners, maids in hotels. These were my people? Understanding my unspoken disenchantment, Mamá decided right then and there that I needed a role model. Upon moving to Louisville, I started piano lessons immediately with Señor Carlos, an Ecuadorian man instructed to teach me piano in Spanish only. No English here! After classes, my mother

The first class that I’m taking this academic year is Spanish 200 intermediate Spanish. I have this class form Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The requirements for Spanish 200 are to participate in class, and turn in assignments on time, and also attendance. I feel confortable participating in class because I know how to speak in Spanish. I have homework everyday it is online the website is called Ancla. We have 3 units on Ancla I have already token 6 homework quizzes that we can only take it once. Each lectures helps me to understand the homework quizzes, also if I need addition assistance there are tutorials on the website for each homework. The homework quizzes vary on how difficult they get. When I don’t understand the material in class I review the tutorials and the textbooks.

Against odds appearing as though they could never get conquered, I’d managed to climb out of an inescapable hole. Upon reaching the halfway point of a six-week Summer 2012 crash course in Intermediate Spanish, my grade stood at an awful 74% (or a solid C). A big opportunity for redemption soon arrived in the form of an assignment to give a four-to-six-minute presentation in Spanish about someone who has affected my life in a profound and powerful way. Using notes taken during a visit one weekend to Grandpa’s house, I gave a speech Professor Almonte thought was bueno enough to merit an ‘A’ grade. Feeling my confidence bolstered, I tackled the remaining tasks with a renewed dedication and completed what was back then my greatest academic turnaround

When I was in elementary school, I took bilingual classes. My parents both spoke fluent Spanish and therefore I was forced to learn the language. In school, I was taught the alphabet in both Spanish and English; as a result, I confused the letters and sometimes mixed them together. I created my own language something known as “Spanglish”, which is very common for Mexican-Americans to do. As time passed by, I continued to struggle in mastering one language, since I spoke mainly Spanish

Growing up the primary language spoken in my home was Spanish. Due to my father being an immigrant, speaking only Spanish, my mother was forced to provide for us, and in turn, my dad stayed home to raise me. I struggled to communicate with most teachers and most students who had no knowledge of Spanish. Despite repeating kindergarten, I grasped English within two years of schooling. Spanish soon became a distant language in that I was only being taught English in school and soon at home, as my grandparents took over the role for my care. Having parents who tried to support me, none could have the courage to display their love more so than anyone. To ensure that I would have a better life, both of my parents gave their legal rights over to my grandparents. I now have the support of two sets of parents in my life.

Analyse the use of language and popular culture in Carmen Martín Gaite’s El cuarto de atrás and Rosa Montero’s Te trataré como a una reina. How do they influence identity (and specifically gender identity)?