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Cambodian, English, to Spanish
"My teacher introduced herself in Spanish, and even though people told her they didn't understand her, she just kept talking."
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By Somaly Ourm
Youth Radio's Somaly Ourm is having a hard time in Spanish class, and the struggle brings back memories of the first time she learned a new language back, in kindergarten.
My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. William, was the most patient, kind-hearted, and sweet lady. Just thinking about her still puts a smile on my face. Mrs. William changed my life by teaching me how to speak English. Cambodian is my first language, and even with a great teacher, I had to repeat kindergarten. The only good thing about being held back was. I got to be in Mrs. William's class two years in a row.
I don't remember much of kindergarten, but I do remember Mrs. Williams never yelled. When I made confused faces, she kept working with me - going over flashcards, or pointing at things and saying what they were. With her help, I made so much progress. But even when I moved on to first grade, I was still learning to read, write, and speak English.
Now I'm a senior in high school, and I've been held back again. I failed Spanish 3 last year. I don't want to look like a quitter on my college applications, so I'm taking the class over. When I walked into Spanish class on the first day, there was a "no English" sign posted near the blackboard. My teacher introduced herself in Spanish, and even though people told her they didn't understand her, she just kept talking.
I know she's trying her hardest to make us understand the language. And if I knew how to say, "Can you explain the difference between preterite and imperfect?" in Spanish, I'd just ask. But that's the point-I can't. This Spanish class makes me feel like I'm in kindergarten again. Except this time, there's no Mrs. William, so I feel lost and confused about everything. All these Spanish grammar rules, tenses, and subjunctives are getting jumbled up in my brain.
When I was in kindergarten, I struggled, but my mind was open to learning language. Now, I feel stuck. When I failed Spanish last year, my mom wasn't mad about it-she was even kind enough to help, by trying to speak Spanish to me at home. But she learned Spanish at the deli where she works, so she only knows food words like, "queso" and "pollo" and "leche," and I already know those words. My Spanish teacher thinks we'll learn and absorb the language just by listening. But I need personal help and some understanding. I wish Mrs. William were around.
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