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My Birth
This day I was born. I arrived into a world of language. -
A New Language
My mother moved to New York City. Suddenly, I was immersed into a whole new language unknown to me at the time. -
First Day of School
Began formal language learning at P.S. 261 Elementary School in the Bronx. I was thrown into a new world, full of diversity with others whom I didn't understand and who didn't understand me. Began learning English as my second language. -
Language Rules Established
Language rules were established at home. My mother did not allow us to speak English at home. English was used in school and Spanish was to be spoken at home. Codeswitching began as part of my brother's and my daily informal communication. -
First Educational Milestone
This day I celebrated the fact that I mastered my second language: English. By this day, I was an avid reader and spoke fluently in the second language. I never realized that I was dominat in English and my Spanish was lingering behind. -
Back to my First Language
My parents moved back to Puerto Rico. Suddenly, and shockingly, I was in an educational environment were I didn't master the language. Although I was not proficient in Spanish, I was never afraid of using the little "bits and pieces" of Spanish that I knew. Mainly communicated through codeswitching. Teachers helped me and let me know that I had comprehension of the spoken language but needed to improve speaking, reading and writing skills. -
Second Educational Milestone
Graduated from middle school. Considered myself fully bilingual, mastering both languages. Recieved an Achievement Award for my success in Spanish and an Excellence Medal for my development in the English classes. -
Interaction with Multiple Languages
Due to economic hardships, my parents decided to move to Orlando, Fl. While going to high school, I began working as a temp at Sea World. Here is where I interacted with people of different races and who spoke multiple languages. Being bilingual surely helped me understand and help most guests that visited the park. -
Third Educational Milestone
Graduated from high school. During my high school years I was exposed to a more formal education of English and Spanish. Took both English and Spanish Honor Classes. Wrote my first two formal papers on "Jude the Obscure" for the English Lit Class and "El Lazarillo de Tormes" in Spanish. Realized I loved literature. -
Let's Study Language
Moved back to Puerto Rico. Unknown to me I was enrolled in the English Program of the Interamerican University. Began to academically study language, focused more on language teaching for second language learners. -
Let's Teach Language
Due to the shortage of English teachers in Puerto Rico, I began working as a Title I English teacher helping the children struggling with English. Put to practice the strategies being learned at the university. The task was not easy but when the students' comprehension increased, so did my satisfaction. -
I'm an English Teacher!!!
Completed the courses for a bachellor's degree in Elementary Education with a major in English and the certifications to become an English teacher for the Department of Education. -
Academic Language Learning - Graduate School
Began to pursue my graduate studies in English as a Second Language. Here I learned the how and why of language learning as opposed to the strategies to teach language learned in the bachellor's degree. -
Pilot Program: Bilingual School
As a pilot program in the Educational Region of Caguas I was chosen, among eighteen teachers, to begin working at a school where the langauge of teaching was to be in English. First time fully immersed in a program where all the courses were taught in English. I was in charge of developing bilingual individuals... what a task! -
TESOL Graduate
Completed a master's degree in the Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESOL). This meant a major step in my langauage learning/teaching. I now knew how the human brain acquired a language and all it took to communicate it, in all its range, effectively to be considered a second language learner. -
English Professor
Had my experience working as a professor of basic English courses at the School of Technical Studies from the UMET. Confronted by the negativity towards English, had the task to make the students realized they knew English all along. Focused my courses in oral communication (ENGL 101) and written communication (ENGL 102). -
Bilingual Certification Program
Due to the government's plans to develop fully bilingual students in the public educational system of Puerto Rico, I began to take on-line courses to become a certified bilingual teacher.
