When I first came to America, I was 4 years old. I knew nothing about the country. The culture, the language, the customs, and the etiquette in America was something that I was never exposed to as I was born in China surrounded by my own people. All I have ever watched was Chinese cartoons and read Chinese children 's books, but nothing about America was ever introduced into my life. However, there was one thing that I was certain of about the country, that I will have a good life in the land of the free. When I first began kindergarten in America, I was 5 years old. I hardly knew English at all, not even the basic ABC’s. The only word that I knew in English was “hello,” but I didn’t use the greeting on my first day of school. I remembered vividly that I wore a pink and white striped shirt …show more content…
I also had a band-aid on my left elbow from my dad unsuccessfully trying to teach me how to ride a bike. I was nervous, extremely nervous. My mom drove me to school, and with her limited English skills, she introduced me to my homeroom teacher, Mrs. Smith. I hid behind my mom, tightly gripping her light blue silk blouse, as she tried to understand what the teacher was saying. Foreign words were exchanged with my mom’s broken English. Mrs. Smith bent down to my height and said hello to me but I was so scared that I couldn’t even reply with the only English word that I know. My mom told me in Chinese that she must leave me now and be good and listen to the teacher ironically even though I didn’t know any English. I started bawling and sobbing for her to not leave me as I
I remember our first days in US were difficult for me and my mother; especially, one night when I woke up and saw her fainting in the cold floor. I had panicked, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t have a car, or phone to call anyone. I felt a shame of myself, I couldn’t help my own mother at the same time. Thankfully, one of my neighbors was awake, and she helped me with everything.
I didn’t learn to read or write until I was 7 years old. I was in my second grade class and my peers and I were sitting in a circle when the teacher called on me to read. I sputtered some gibberish with a tomato red face. The only words I recognized were “it’s” “it,” and “a”- which is really just a letter.
As a child in a new country where I didn't know how to speak English, It was very terrifying. My family decided to come to the United States for a “better life”. For many immigrants, transitioning can become very difficult. A few weeks into my eighth grade the class,we were assigned a book to read “Flowers for Algernon” and I really enjoyed it. I loved the book, I would read ahead and I would answer every question the teacher has given to the class.
As I arrived at the door, I could, by the thick mexican accent, infer she was on the phone with someone who didn’t speak Spanish. As I opened that door, I could never forget my mother’s frustrated, anxious, and hesitant face. She forced the phone to my face, and asked me to translate. Since, this
The first eight years of my life, I spent in India where I was born. Growing up I was constantly reminded by my parents that I needed to make them proud by getting a good job and living a good lifestyle. They told me this because they did not want to see me live a hard life like they did. When I was nine years old, I moved from India to the United States of America. The reason why I moved to America was not because I was living a bad life in India, it was so that I could have a better education and more opportunities in life.
I lived as a foreigner in America for 15 years. The day I became an American citizen was one of the easiest, yet hardest days of my life. The process itself was quite simple. My parents had already been naturalized, so all I had to do was take the Oath of Allegiance and sign the Certificate of Naturalization. However, in that short one-hour ceremony, I had relinquished my Indian citizenship, losing something I had from birth, and had pledged myself to “the home of the free and the land of the brave.”
In “Aria: Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood,” Richard Rodriguez outlines the struggles he encountered growing up speaking Spanish in an English speaking society. He describes some of the hardships and difficulties he was forced to endure in assimilating into an English speaking American culture. In his essay, Rodriguez describes the importance of language and the influence it had on his early life. Through the use of vivid imagery and psychological appeals, Rodriguez is able to compare his native Spanish language to the foreign English language that surrounds him.
On the Thursday of my first week in my new school I was pulled from English class to the office. When I got there I saw my Dad, the principal, and a guidance counselor. A pit opened in my stomach that progressively worsened as I thought of the possibilities. I walked up to my dad and asked what was wrong as he proceeded to tell me “Do you remember
Before I started school my mother would always read me books in Spanish I didn't know how to read or write during that time I was only 2 years old. When I started preschool that’s where I started to learn how to read and write. I don’t really remember much but what I do remember was that the first thing I learned how to write was my name. It was difficult learning how to write. My words would be squiggly but what else would you expect a preschooler writing to look like, it was a fun time being able to learn how to write.
Opening my eyes, I heard mom’s busy steps getting ready to leave for work. Then, I realized that my mom is going to leave soon. I grabbed her legs and did not let her go. As soon as I started crying, she kept comforting and hugging me. My dad and my sister tried to separate me from mom, so she could leave.
She told me to rest so I went back to sleep. I awoke when the sun was setting. I look out the square window looking at the beautiful big yellow ball of heat making bright beautiful colors, setting beneath the green trees. I try speaking again,” Mom?” I’m thinking finally I can speak normal.
I t was April 28, 2013a day was and i felt like a nervous mess When I entered my class. It was so bright as the sun, then my teacher called one boy from my country and told him to translate some stuff at the class. He uses to help me, but at the same time he use to laugh at did not know English. my teacher was good and bad. My teacher doesn't use to help me.
His bloody fist connected with my jaw, causing me to spew a vile solution of blood and pieces of my own teeth all over the crumb infested floor. Damn that hurt! I stumbled to the floor and as I tried to pick myself up, my father 's boot smashed my head into the floor. “Now I 'll ask again,” my stepfather yelled with a slur, proving my suspicions that he was drunk correct, “Are you gonna get me that beer?” My mother watched the scene quietly from the kitchen table, knowing that she wouldn 't do anything.
I want every material thing in the world. I want new games, new clothes, a new phone, and a new car, and a whole bunch of additional things. Most of the time my parents are able to get me everything I demand, but I just want more and more. I'm not satisfied with what I already have; I basically just take everything for granted, and I realized this after I took one trip and experienced one bizarre event. At first before my trip, I was constantly begging for items with costly logos.
I for the first time ever scared my mom. As a result of my screaming, tears started falling from her cheeks, leaving an imprint on the white carpet. “He lives down the street,his name is Zander.” That’s when she broke down. “I should have told you.