Learning a New Language
Hey yall, I’m a student from UIUC. I just finished a paper about my personal experience on how I learned English for my rhet class, so I want to share this with all non-native speakers.
Feel free to contact me @ wli9@uiuc.edu if you have any questions. Hold you enjoy it and learn something from me! ^_^
I immigrated to the U.S. with my family when I was 17, and that time, I had just graduated from middle school in China. Moving to a different country was a big challenge for me because the culture and the language were totally different from where I used to live. I met with unfamiliar people and learned their way of life. Since my English was limited, I started as a freshman in high school. On the first day I came to my high school I felt isolated from everyone because all of the others spoke English, and I didn’t get a single word about what they talked to me about. Almost all the people in that school were Hispanic and most of the students were immigrants. I was one of only two Chinese students in this school, so it was difficult for me to communicate with the majority of the other students. This made it harder for me to make friends and get them to help me adjust to this new lifestyle. At that moment, I was so frustrated and embarrassed. At last, I gave them a piece of paper to let them write down what they wanted to say to me. Then I looked up in my dictionary and translated what they wrote word by word. However, I couldn’t respond to them because I did not know how to pronounce any word.
I made up my mind to study English diligently. To do so, I needed to take ESL course, which helped non-native English speakers improve their skill in using English. I was the only Chinese student in the class, and most of my classmates were Latino students. The ESL course can not help me learn English directly because the teacher can only explain the class materials in English and Spanish, but not Chinese. So I paid more attention to the teacher’s body language, in order to help me understand what she tried to say. This environment forced me to use the language more often. The more I practiced, the more I understood what the teacher and other students were talking about. That made me big progress in the first step of learning English.
The second year in high school was the hardest year for me. But at the same time, it was also the most fruitful year in my improvement of English. At the beginning of that term, my teacher recommended taking some honor courses. It was a challenge because I was not a native English speaker, but those courses required a high level of reading and writing skills. The reading and writing assignments were difficult because almost half of the vocabulary was unfamiliar for me. To stay in honors I had to become more familiar with the language. Finally, I came up with a strategy. When I encountered some unfamiliar words, I looked them up in my dictionary, and wrote them down on my note cards. I carried those cards everyday and tried to study them whenever I had time.
However, it was more important to know how to use these words in daily life than just knowing the meaning. At the beginning, I was shy and afraid of talking loudly in front of others because I didn’t know whether I used the right word or pronounced the word correctly. I also worried about whether people could understand me and how could they react. I cared about how others react to my English because I was afraid they may laugh at my poor expression or strange accent. So I was trying to escape from speaking in English. But gradually I realized that language was part of my life, and it was a tool to help me connect with this new culture. So I made up my mind to look for a way to improve it. Therefore, I started to use a recording machine and tried to speak loudly at home, and practiced reading a paragraph everyday. Actually, I could now hear how terrible my pronunciation was, but learning by doing, gradually helped me change the way I spoke. Moreover, I screwed up courage to talk with Americans. It was helpful because I could learn from their pronunciation and the way they spoke and at the same time broadening my vocabulary.
What I did most of the time was translation. As a non-native English speaker, I always thought in Chinese first, and then translated it into English. I gradually realized this was one of the biggest problems I was hading with learning the language, because these two languages had different ways of thinking. The difference in tense between Chinese and English was a good example. In English, we should change verbs to their past tense when we wanted to express an action or a condition that occurred in or during the past. But in Chinese, we only needed to add some adverbs to describe that. After a while, I tried to think in English, instead of translating word by word.
Knowing how to use language was more important than knowing vocabulary on the flash cards. I had participated in the science fair for three years, since my sophomore year in high school. From the first one, I realized the importance of language more deeply because I needed to explain my project and my idea in front of judges. I still remember the first time when I was trying to explain my project; I shivered because of my poor English. I didn’t know how to present my idea exactly. After I got the comment, “Lack of English�, from the judges, I felt so frustrated. I spent so much hard work on it, but it failed just because of my poor expression. I realized I should try my best in my English, because language was tool to communicate and to express things. So having a good language skill could help me to explain my work to the judge cleanly. Gradually, I started to get some return from my hard work. From the school fair to regional fair, and finally to the city fair in my senior year, I was really proud of myself when I received my award on the stage, not only because I won the competition but also because people confirmed my hard work because they could comprehend my idea from my presentation.
Throughout my experience in learning English, I realized that leaning English helped me connect with the new culture and helped me make new friends in daily life. The better I speak the more confidence I had in front of others. From the hard time in my learning English, I knew how to face with other difficulties in my life. From learning English, my life changed gradually. I comprehend more and more about American culture and paid more attention to the society. And I made many new friends, which broadened my view and brought me much fun. I enjoyed my life more than before. But I know that is not enough for me. I’ll try my best to do it better.
It was interesting reading your experience during your stay in the United States. I’m glad you were able to learn the English language. I hope you will have the same attitude when confronting something new.
Comment by A student — October 8, 2006 @ 09:22
Hi, my name is Gerri. I came to US last year. I graduated from American high school. When I just came here, I lived in Montana. I was shy, I did not talk much, and then the young people in my school and my host family thought I was weird. They were mean because they did not understand me. But the teachers were really good, they taught me a lot, I learnt knowledge in a so different way from what I was taught in China. In my English class, we read, we did research, we wrote several papers, and the longest paper was 10 pages. It was so different, in China, we change our teacher, in America, and we change our classroom. We do not have cooking class in China, but I took a cooking class in America. I talked to my teachers and my host parents to improve my English, but I did not want to talk to my host brothers, because most the time I do not understand what they mean, sometimes I understand their jokes, but I did not think it was funny. And also the teachers and parents make fewer mistakes; they are kind and helpful.
Now I’ve moved to Los Angeles. It is a whole different environment again, and I believe I will get used to it.
Comment by Tianqing Huang — October 30, 2006 @ 12:24
I have been in American almost one and a half years. How to learn a new language, that’s the only problem I still have. I still remember the first time I went to school in America. It was an adult school. First of all, I think t was too easy, so they put me in level 6 – oral English. The first day I came to school. Oh, my god! The only word I could understand was some very simple words like [is on. people]. The other…… I didn’t even know what they were talking about. I’m so scared, very scared. I go to school every day. I spent almost 10 hours in English. In those day, my books, my walkman. My computer, all helped me learn English. I keeping doing it for almost half a year. Thanks god! Finally I understand while people are talking.
I am now speaking and reading English more than Chinese. After all, I know the only way I can learn a new language faster is speaking that language all the time and forget your native language. When your see something. Your should know what’s that. And that way can improve your vocabulary. And go to places where no one speak your language.
I think different people have different way to learning a new language. I only introduce the way how I learned English. I hope that will be helpful to you.
Comment by YIZHI ZHANG — October 30, 2006 @ 12:26
Hi everyone!
I’m a student in a U.S. college, and I’m also an employee of a U.S. satellite company. I’ve just lived here about one and a half years. So I have to speak English a lot every day. That’s why I need to improve my English as soon as possible.
I learned English in my country. I was a tourist guide after I graduated from high school. When I started to work for American people, I could not understand anything from them. I was very worried about that. So I tried a lot. After 3 months, I could listen and understand everything Americans wanted me to do. So my English is OK now. But sometimes there is still something I do not understand. I’m still trying to learn every day.
Comment by Sang Vu — October 30, 2006 @ 12:27
Hi, my name is Julian. I’m 18 years old. I immigrated to USA 4 months ago, so I’m not very good at speaking & writing English. Well, I have a very good experience here in the U.S. because I have some friends and they’re teaching me how to say some words. So I think I’m lucky. I’m also going to college, where I believe that I am learning fast.
Comment by Julian Ruiz — October 30, 2006 @ 12:28
I came from Mexico four years ago. I started as a freshman in high school. When I was in high school, I never took ESL classes. I took ELD classes. High school was easy because I took all my classes in Spanish. I felt proud of myself because I passed the CAHSEE and I got my High School Diploma.
Comment by Gladys Hernandez — October 30, 2006 @ 12:29
My name is Tomas. I have been here in the U.S. for 15 years. I was born in Mexico. Even though I have been here for a while, English is sometimes difficult. I’m an ESL student. With the help of the teachers, I’m getting better and better. In elementary school, I struggled with English, in jr. high I was better. After I got to high school, I still struggled, but I was better than before.
 I came to this country for a better life and I have taken advantage of all the opportunities.
Comment by Tomas Rodriguez — October 30, 2006 @ 12:30
I came to the United States fourteen years ago. I worked in a music store as a clerk for ten years. One day the business went out and I lost my job. I wasn’t able to find another job because of the language. I didn’t speak English. So, one day I went to a Community Adult School to enroll in ESL classes. That day my life changed. I started working on my assignments and little by little I felt confident learning a new language. I finished the ESL program. The next step will be to continue on the IEP program. That was an intensive English program in the school. I was attending school from 1 to 6 p.m. every day for a year. One day I took the High School Test to enter academic classes. Now, my next goal should be to get my High School Diploma. At this point I felt more confident in school. At the beginning it was hard, especially understanding grammar and how to read. I worked very hard. Last June I graduated from High School. I was President of the Student Council in my school for a year and this experience was crucial for me because I was able to develop my skills in English. Now I know how to communicate with others. I am continuing studying because I know that I need it. One day I will feel confident in talking, reading and writing in English.
Comment by Ramos, Jaime — October 30, 2006 @ 12:30
Hello! My name is Monica. I immigrated to the United States about three years and three months ago. I’ve already got my high school diploma, but my English is not good. So I continue taking other ESL classes to have best grammar and spelling of the language. I have been working for more than three years as a cashier for KENPO Company and I’m very proud of myself. I have three brothers and three sisters, their names are, Cecilia, Moisés, Isabel, Federico, Ricardo and Claudia, my sister Isabel has a 2-month-old baby. Her name is Suri Stephanie.
Comment by Gil, Monica — October 30, 2006 @ 12:30
One of my experiences in the United States is about parking. I remember that day I went to PCC with my Mom. That was almost 1 year ago. When my Mom parked the car, she parked in a wrong place. Then later, we came out and found a ticket on the car. At that time I remembered the word ticket. When I learned it before, its meaning is if you want to enter somewhere, then you need a ticket. I was so confused. That is really a joke. My English is not very good. I still need more practice.
Comment by yuedu — October 30, 2006 @ 12:30
I think you are right! To learn another language is a big challenge. I immigrated with my family too. I still remember the first day in High school. It was very hard. I couldn’t speak English at all. Somebody had to translate to me for one week. And after two weeks, I made three new friends.
Comment by Jonathan — October 30, 2006 @ 12:31
Hello. Everybody. My name is Maggie. I am from China. I have been living in Los Angeles for two and a half years. This is the first time I try to write in English. Please help me check all the mistakes.
I think learning English is very important when you are in America. If your English is good, you can find a good job and can do something convenient.
You must practice listening and speaking whenever you can. I can’t do that, so my English improves slowly.
Comment by Maggie Zhuang — October 30, 2006 @ 12:31
Hi. I came to USA eleven years ago. Before that I didn’t have a chance to go to college. I learned to speak in English from TV, but I have always wanted to speak, read and write in English very well. I hope I will improve myself. I think it’s very important to know the language of the country where you live.
Comment by Lusine Hunanyan — October 30, 2006 @ 12:31
Hi, my name is Kethya, and I have been in USA for 2 years. The first time I got in LA airport, I could not understand the announcements to passengers about getting their luggage after they got off the aircraft. I had to listen twice or third times. On the hall way, I got lose because I did not know the word Exit. What’s more, my English was very poor, so I could not ask some passengers who were passing me. At that time I was very nervous, which I had never had in my life. Fortunately, I met a Cambodian who took the same flight with me; He took me to the area where I got all my luggage. That was the worst experience.
Comment by kethya — October 30, 2006 @ 12:32
My name is Joanne. I have been in the United State since 1992. And I was lucky because I got a job right after three weeks. I was enjoying the job because that was what I had learned in China. At the same time, I went to school at night. My major is Fashion Design.
Comment by joanne jiang — October 30, 2006 @ 12:33
Hi, my name is Angelica and I’m from Mexico. I came to the United States four years ago, and started to learn new things. I was afraid to speak English because I thought that the people would laugh about my pronunciation. Now I’m in college and this is a new challenge because it is more difficult to speak English with people from other countries. My experience here was great and I always try to learn something new in school.
Comment by Angelica Mondragon — October 30, 2006 @ 12:33
Hi. I came to USA eleven years ago. Before that I didn’t have a chance to go to college. I learned to speak in English from TV, but I always wanted to speak, read and write in English very well. I hope I will improve myself. I think it’s very important to know the language of the country where you live.
Comment by Lusine Hunanyan — October 30, 2006 @ 12:40
Hi. I have been living in the U.S.since April, 2004. To improve my English, I worked at the market. I am a cashier. So, I am communicating with people all the time. I asked them to correct me when I said something wrong. I think the communication is the most important thing in learning language.
Comment by Anna Grigoryants — October 30, 2006 @ 12:40
I read many stories. The persons who wrote the stories had learned English well. People like to come to school to learn English. My problem is written English. My father said that I do not know english because I do not like to read, which is true. I told my father that  I would do my best and one day I would graduacte from college.Â
Comment by AnaPatricia Muro — October 30, 2006 @ 13:01
My English name is Tammy, I am from Taiwan, I have been here for 3 years but my English is still so poor because there are too many Chinese people here and I speak Chinese every day at school, but it depends on yourself. No matter where you are in America, even though my English is still getting better and better but progress was slower than expected. If you really like to learn English you need to spend a lot of time and you need to communicate with everyone. Don’t be afraid of speaking even though you speak very poor English. When I really don’t know how to speak in English and can’t express myself, everyone will be helping me and teaching me. So don’t be afraid. You need to have courage to learn a new language.
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Comment by Tien-Min Chang — November 1, 2006 @ 13:26
My name is zhou jun lin, I have been in the U.S.A. since 2004. English is my second language. It has been hard for me until now. couldn’t listen and speak. At that time English was totally difficult for me. Then I attended adult school for 1 year. Therefore, my English was better than before, at the school I just listen to the teacher, I hate to speak, but I have to speak English to other people. Right now, my listening is better than speaking. I know I need to learn more.
Comment by zhoujun,lin — November 2, 2006 @ 00:49
hiiii every body for me learning English is very important coz I believe it is the best way to communicate with other people from different countries and I need it to get my dream job so I m willing to improve my English language and we have to know that nothing impossible in the life coz if you put in your mind some thing and be insisted to achieve it of course you will do it finally just remember believe in your self and do your best then all your dreams will come true
Comment by soso — June 18, 2007 @ 04:12