LLN FIRST DRAFT

    A significant moment when literacy and language played a crucial role in my life was when I first arrived in the USA. The contrast between my life in Senegal and my new surroundings was overwhelming. In Senegal, I was part of a small community where familiar faces were a daily occurrence, and the diversity of languages was manageable. However, suddenly I found myself in a vibrant mix of races, cultures, and beliefs, surrounded by towering buildings and experiencing different weather. Adding to this was a new language that transformed everything. Although this major change was disorienting, and I initially felt lost and lonely, I was also filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

Just one week after arriving in New York, my father enrolled me in a new school, which changed my whole life. School is a place where we are supposed to learn, navigate our surroundings, and discover important aspects of life. Liberty High School represented a crucial turning point for me. My perception of American schools shifted dramatically the moment I stepped foot in LHS. I had initially believed that American schools were unsafe and filled with violence and bullying. However, LHS welcomed me with open arms. It wasn’t a fancy school, but it provided a sense of comfort and safety. At first, I felt lonely and miserable, and I was frustrated with myself for not prioritising learning English back in my home country. On my first day, I was completely alone, with no translator by my side. After my counsellor finished giving me instructions and explaining where my class was located, I nodded in agreement but didn’t understand a single word she said. As I wandered the school trying to find my English class, I realized I was lost. At that moment, I understood that I couldn’t survive in this school or this country without knowing how to speak English.

I was placed in 9th grade due to my low English language skills, even though I was in 11th grade in my home country. I promised myself that I would not spend four years in this school, which meant that I needed to study harder in every subject, especially English. I loved my writing class because I was good at writing in English, and my teacher, Mr. Dogas, was very understanding. However, when it came to speaking up in class, raising my hand, or participating, I never had the confidence to do so. I thought that being good at writing was enough. In my literature class, Mrs. Lozano was always encouraging me to read aloud, even though I already knew how to read. I had learned a bit of English in my home country, and since English is similar to French, which I had studied for ten years, I had some familiarity with the language. Unfortunately, my French accent sometimes held me back. Additionally, my dad always pressured me to learn English quickly, but he never spoke it at home with me. I realized that I was the only one who could help myself overcome my obstacles and the insecurities I felt.

As time went by, I made an effort to become more involved in school activities. I began attending after-school sessions for help, watching educational videos on YouTube, and developing a love for books thanks to a friend’s recommendation; all in an effort to improve. These efforts paid off, as I saw significant progress. I started tutoring new students in English and math, became a member of the National Honor Society, achieved the highest score in the English Regents, and received an award in language arts.

In the end, I realised that all it takes to succeed is hard work and motivation. If someone had told me back then that I would be able to speak English or help someone else learn it, I wouldn’t have believed them. However, it has become a reality. While I’m not fully fluent yet, I believe that one day I will be if I don’t give up.