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Infant-toddler years
During my infant and toddler years my literacy was based on learning how to speak Spanish and preparing to start learning how to read and write. This was a pre-stage to being literate. -
Pre K and Kindergarden
During this time I started to attend school. I first went to school when I was three years old. First I went to one school for Pre-k 3 and then attended another school when I was in pre-k 4 and kindergarten. In pre-k and kindergarden, I learned the basics of writting and reading in Spanish. -
1st grade
I started to go to “the big school”, this is a term that is used in my country when a child starts primary school. All schools are designed to go from elementary school to high school just in one school. Also, most of the people there go to private school. In first grade I learned the basic phonics of reading and the different sounds when we combine consonants and vowels. By the end of first grade, I was able to read basic sentences in Spanish. In addition, I learned basic English words. -
Finished elementary school
When I finished elementary school I was able to read and write properly and knew basic mathematics. I could not use a computer yet. I took some English classes at school since I was in first grade. The only things that I knew in English was the song “pollito – Chicken, gallina – hen, lapiz – pencil,… I also knew the things that we use in a classroom setting. -
Started middle school / high school
In my country there is not such a thing as middle school. Once you finish fifth grade you enter high school and there are only 11 grades total (once you start first grade). By the time I started “Colombian high school” my expectation of reading and math increase dramatically. By the end of high school it was mandatory for me to take algebra, trigonometry, calculus, physics, and chemistry. My English did not improve dramatically during this time. I actually think that I learned 10 more words -
I started taking French
In 10th grade I left my poor English behind and I started taking French. I loved taking French, it was somewhat natural and I did not have to struggle as much as I struggled with English. I took French for 2 years. -
Graduated from High school
When I graduated I was already accepted into college and that meant that I was literate enough to go to college. However, I was underestimating the amount of work I had to do and that I was going to have another love/hate encounter with the English language. -
College here I come
I started my first year of college. In Colombia a professional degree takes 10 semesters (5 years). I realized that reading and writing was difficult and that I had to put more effort and time into my work (Especially for my economics class). By the end of the first semester I realized that I had to work harder to get good grades -
Back to taking english
By third semester, I had to take 3 more levels of English. I struggled dramatically. It was very hard for me. I also realized the importance of the English language in the business world. At this time, I decided that when I was finished with college I was going to go overseas to learn English -
I graduated from college
I graduated from college with all the concepts regarding business administration. At the same time I started to take basic English classes. -
Taking English classes
I started attending The Ohio State University to learn English as a second language. I was one level above beginning. I was the only one who spoke Spanish in my class, so I did not have any other choice but learn English. -
HCC
I took English in HCC and my goal was to take the first English class for college students. -
Hood college
I had enough English skill that I was able to take the TOEFEL and have a good score to be accepted into the MBA program at Hood College -
I graduated from Hood
I graduated from Hood College with a MBA