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My first language- Spanish
The first language I ever learned to speak was Spanish. My parents were both Spanish speaking and encouraged it's use daily. When I started school, it was difficult for me to communicate with the teacher and other students but as the year progressed my english got better. I remember that despite my english improvement, I often mispronounced words as confused English and Spanish. This led to years of academic support from teacher to help me become fluent in english. -
illustrated books
From what I remember the first books I was introduced too had many images and colors. Pages were designed with bright colors and short easy words to read to make it easier for beginning reader to understand. -
flashcard review
I remember when it came time to read, my Pre-k teacher would use little flashcards with the alphabets and that is how I memorized things like "Aa is for Apple" , "Bb is for brown" etc. I think this ultimately became the beginning framework for the reader I am today. -
bed time story
Every night my mom and I would read a story before bed. She would read it the first time and she would let me read the second time around. I feel like this helped me practice the sounding out words process and practicing the pronunciation of words. -
reading together
When I was in 4th grade my parents put me in a program at school which worked with students after school in improving reading and writing skills. I feel like I learned a lot from this experience as far as getting the help to improve my reading skills. -
reading out loud in front of my 5th grade class room
We were no longer reading books with pictures in them and easy words to read. We were not moving on to things a little more challenging. There was a time I remember having to read as a class and everyone had to read a paragraph from the textbook. It was my turn and I stumbled on a lot of words. I was embarrassed to be one of the students in my class who struggled to read. I decided to look for more books and read more the summer after 5th grade. -
ESOL
ESOL because a major influence in literacy experience. It became a program that helped me develop good reading and writing skills. Through my experience in the program was able to have accommodations that ultimately helped me combat the learning challenges I faced as a result of Spanish being my first language. -
Standardized testing
All throughout elementary, middle and high school student take standardized testing in math and english. I was always told that my results on the test demonstrated my understanding of the content from both math and english. As far as my english results, they were always much higher than my math but I never placed a grade level. This was challenging for me because I felt that I could never get the perfect score and I always felt pressured to improve. -
My older sibling always encouraged my growth
My older sister has always loved school, and as children she loved to help me with my homework, specifically if it had anything to do with reading or writing. For me it was encouraging to always have her support and I know that her advanced skill (because she was older) helped me as I got older because I always had someone to help proof read my writing. -
even as an adult I stumble on words
I work as a baby sitter, and I often stumble on words that I read to the kids. A couple years ago and even sometimes today when I am reading I have a hard time reading certain words. They're often words that I don't use regularly so they're difficult to pronounce. This allows me to recognize that regardless of education level or age, there is always room to grow.