Language AutoBiography
Jessica Mairoano
Introduction: I think that people knowing and learning different languages are
important and it’s something that I wanted to write about. My language
autobiography is about some of my experiences with learning a different
language also authors experiences and that they wrote about.
Reflection: This project was very difficult for me at first because I had no
idea what I wanted to write about. I never really paid attention to what other
people had to say about language so it was interesting to read about other people’s
opinions. My strengths with this project were writing my own experiences
because it was so easy to talk about. My weaknesses were trying to stay on
topic since it had to be almost a thousand words I thought I was going to get
off topic.
Paper:
In school you are required to take a second language for at least two years,
but why? Why can’t I just know English? What if I don’t want to learn another
language? We are all taught Standard English and that is the right way to speak
so why would they teach us something different? The school district thinks it
will benefit us in our future but what if we don’t think it will? Then why do
we need to know two languages?
The day has come the day I get my first quarter report card for
sophomore year. I walk into the tiny room with my advisers and my mother. I
look down at my narratives. I had an amazing report card but unfortunately
Spanish is the first subject on the list. My mom looks at my report card
disappointed because of my Spanish grade “D?” she says with a frown on her
face. I was not happy with her face at all. I went on and on about how my grade
could be better and most importantly how I got that grade. First, I said, “I do
not understand Spanish it’s just not my subject. I don’t want to take it next
year if I am going to keep struggling.” My mom stopped me right there and said
“Isn’t it much better if she knows two languages?” Mr. Kay my advisor said “Yes
its much better” At that point I realized that I should make the decision if I
want to learn a language or not.
“Language, a place of struggle” says bell hooks. Those five words
mean a lot because language is a place of struggle. In my opinion language is
important because not only do you need to know English to communicate with
people but also if someone speaks a different language you need to know how to
speak it to, that’s not always easy. Spanish for example is totally different
from English and to expect someone to learn it and be able to speak it fluently
is much harder then you think. I feel as though if you don’t understand the
language and don’t want to learn it then that’s your choice. But again, if you
think about that line “ Language, a place of struggle” you know its going to be
hard and you can work through it.
Sometimes you need to do certain things to exceed in the subject
you are learning. In the story “I just want to be average” by Mike rose, mike
rose talks about some of his experiences in the classroom. He was placed in the
Vocational track, which are mostly classes for students who are not doing well
in school. Mike thought he had to be like everyone else and be good at every
subject. When people learn languages or just any subject in school everyone is
at a different level that is okay. Mike Rose did not understand that.
My first day of Spanish 1, one of the scariest days of my life. I
have my binder and pencil out and the first thing I write in the corner of my
new shiny loose-leaf paper is “Ahorita,” which means do the activity on the
board right now. I didn’t no what to expect, I didn’t think I was going to do
well in this class. As the days of the school year go by and I am just passing
with a B when I know I can do better. I thought that since this was my first
year ever learning a different language, which me not understanding it is okay
but then the next school year came. I was dreading the day I had to step foot
in the Spanish classroom, like always I put Ahorita at the top of my paper the
first day. I knew that coming into Spanish 2 was going to be a little rough for
me because I had difficulties the previous year. It turns out I was right. When
I received my first test back it wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I went straight
to my teacher to seek for help. He explained to me that it is fine that I am
having difficulties. It will get better if I just keep studying. I realized
everyone is at a different pace. I am normal I just need to work harder.
Yes, it may take a lot of work and you may struggle and at times
it might not make sense but language helps you accomplish greater things.
Language helps you work harder to achieve your goals. People might think now
why do I need to talk Standard English or even learn a different language but
in the long run it will pay off.
