For the love of language

I became a writer in fourth grade, the same age my students currently are. I'll never forget the feeling I had when something I wrote was published in the local paper (nevermind the fact that we were living in a tiny town in the smallest state at the time; I still thought I was famous). That encouragement was all it took for me to grow a love of writing. If I had had a car as a child, it's license plate frame would have read, "I'd rather be writing." I felt proud of what I created. I felt I could escape from reality with a pencil and paper. And I felt like I was good at something in school. I was never a bad student, as I was always concerned with my grades and whether my teachers and friends liked me. But this was one part of my schooling that I felt truly confident in, something I felt came naturally. I'm trying my darnedest to help my students feel the same but the difference between them and the 4th grade me is huge. 

I was never trying to write in another language.

These kids are incredible. I know everyone says that learning another language when you are young is easier but that doesn't mean its easy. Sometimes when I read what they've written, I really have no idea what is going on in their heads. Sometimes when I call on them in class and listen to what they have to say, I am bewildered with their entirely unrelated responses. Sometimes when I remind them for the 30th time that it's pronounced "THink," not "Tink," I wonder if I have taught THem anyTHing. But other times, when I pause for a second to remind myself what it was like when I was learning Spanish, what it is currently like as I struggle through the few Vietnamese phrases I know, they quite literally leave me speechless in my own language. 

Can you imagine yourself at age nine feeling confident enough to talk to adults in a language that is not your own? Can you picture what it would have been like to have had to do your homework completely on your own because your parents couldn't read the instructions? Can you empathize with what it would feel like to so badly want to contribute to the class discussions but the word you need to express yourself just won't come to you? 

I love these dudes. They are so cool. And so many of them know the grand plan for their lives and what learning English will mean for their families. Ninety-five percent of our student population is Vietnamese and I would guess 10% of the families speak any English. But this generation, they will grow up learning English, attend a school abroad in an English-speaking university, get amazing jobs, and return to their families to help support them financially. This is the grand plan. This is why so many students spend additional time after school and on weekends studying, practicing, and learning more. This is the subconscious pressure that rests of their shoulders each day they sit in my classroom. 

The most beautiful part of all is witnessing the resilience of a child. I am thankful that I get to spend my days with people, no matter how small, who keep trying no matter how frustrating it all may seem. The fact that they can do so with a smile too, makes my job all the more fun.

Teaching Vietnamese students how to dance the Merengue and Bachata in Spanish Club... love it :)