Writing: Bilingualism and Culture
Throughout my high school years, literacy was presented to students as a boring task; one where opinions were not considered and what was mostly important was the overall message the author presented. It was defined as the ability to read and write. However, what does literacy really mean? I believe literacy is what allows you to express yourself and to voice your opinion. It is the freedom to read and write as YOU like; which helps us make sense of the world around us. Many factors come into place in determining each person’s way of writing: past experiences, culture habits, bilingual abilities, and praise can all make part of each individual’s abilities. Literacy is a way to learn about yourself and to teach others a new way of writing, shaped by all the factors I mentioned. In other words, literacy is power.
Bilingualism and culture were a great impact on myself as a writer, having both positive and negative effects toward it. When a person is bilingual, at least in my case, we often think in both languages; so when it comes to writing, there are words that either you know in one language or like better in the other, leading to a controversial decisions between what is better. I also think bilingual people often practice and perfect one language over the other, creating a challenge when writing in the other dialect. This was and has always been my dilemma. I believe I am much more fluent in Spanish than in English, making writing a rigorous task; it still does not change my idea of writing. Elementary “It’s time for 30/20” said Mrs. Minutella “30/20!” we would all scream with excitement. Elementary was the base of my love for reading. I felt it was a way to free my mind, to learn something new. Second grade consisted of 30/20 challenges that allowed us to spend thirty minutes in class reading a twenty-page book. Those who completed the task would get a star added to their achievement chart, which recorded of the number of books read that week. After we had completed the row, we would get a prize, which ranged from stickers to books and school supplies. This is what sparked my competitive side; it pushed me to finish before my classmates in order to get a prize. I was praised and congratulated every time I finished a new book. Challenge after challenge, they encourage me to read longer books, improving my English vocabulary. In third grade, the main focus was on learning how to write; teachers taught us sentence structures: subject, verbs, and nouns. These were the years of analyzing and understanding to enhance our critical reading skills, exploring new ideas and concepts. I absolutely loved it. In fourth grade I was advanced in reading, which meant I took literature classes with fifth graders. Mr. Brown, the fifth grade literature teacher, did not do well while explaining; his classes were never enthusiastic, making it difficult to engage and remain focused. The class was difficult and monotonous because it consisted of sitting down, reading and responding questions. He gave absolutely no room for us to discuss the material at hand, which limited our growth. It became a never endless cycle once we entered his classroom. “Sit down and open to page 46 and read,” said Mr. Brown. “I’m done reading, but I didn’t understand what the author meant in the second paragraph,” said …show more content…
I believe literacy sponsors throughout your life have a great impact in your view of writing and your ability to express your opinion. Bilingualism and culture create a new view of writing, a new outlook. It gives the writer abundant opportunities to set their position and ideas on the topic of choice, due to the experiences and different culture appreciation the person learns. Praise and negative comments has a way of defaming writing, as stated by Erika J. Peterson in her essay “Past Experiences and Future in Literacy” (Peterson 157) Living in different countries and being bilingual can also have a great impact on how and why you write. Works Cited
Flowers, Betty S. "Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge: Roles and the Writing Process. “Language Arts 58 (1981). 7-10. Webspace.utexas.edu Web. Web. 4 Jan.
Throughout my high school years, literacy was presented to students as a boring task; one where opinions were not considered and what was mostly important was the overall message the author presented. It was defined as the ability to read and write. However, what does literacy really mean? I believe literacy is what allows you to express yourself and to voice your opinion. It is the freedom to read and write as YOU like; which helps us make sense of the world around us. Many factors come into place in determining each person’s way of writing: past experiences, culture habits, bilingual abilities, and praise can all make part of each individual’s abilities. Literacy is a way to learn about yourself and to teach others a new way of writing, shaped by all the factors I mentioned. In other words, literacy is power.
Bilingualism and culture were a great impact on myself as a writer, having both positive and negative effects toward it. When a person is bilingual, at least in my case, we often think in both languages; so when it comes to writing, there are words that either you know in one language or like better in the other, leading to a controversial decisions between what is better. I also think bilingual people often practice and perfect one language over the other, creating a challenge when writing in the other dialect. This was and has always been my dilemma. I believe I am much more fluent in Spanish than in English, making writing a rigorous task; it still does not change my idea of writing. Elementary “It’s time for 30/20” said Mrs. Minutella “30/20!” we would all scream with excitement. Elementary was the base of my love for reading. I felt it was a way to free my mind, to learn something new. Second grade consisted of 30/20 challenges that allowed us to spend thirty minutes in class reading a twenty-page book. Those who completed the task would get a star added to their achievement chart, which recorded of the number of books read that week. After we had completed the row, we would get a prize, which ranged from stickers to books and school supplies. This is what sparked my competitive side; it pushed me to finish before my classmates in order to get a prize. I was praised and congratulated every time I finished a new book. Challenge after challenge, they encourage me to read longer books, improving my English vocabulary. In third grade, the main focus was on learning how to write; teachers taught us sentence structures: subject, verbs, and nouns. These were the years of analyzing and understanding to enhance our critical reading skills, exploring new ideas and concepts. I absolutely loved it. In fourth grade I was advanced in reading, which meant I took literature classes with fifth graders. Mr. Brown, the fifth grade literature teacher, did not do well while explaining; his classes were never enthusiastic, making it difficult to engage and remain focused. The class was difficult and monotonous because it consisted of sitting down, reading and responding questions. He gave absolutely no room for us to discuss the material at hand, which limited our growth. It became a never endless cycle once we entered his classroom. “Sit down and open to page 46 and read,” said Mr. Brown. “I’m done reading, but I didn’t understand what the author meant in the second paragraph,” said …show more content…
I believe literacy sponsors throughout your life have a great impact in your view of writing and your ability to express your opinion. Bilingualism and culture create a new view of writing, a new outlook. It gives the writer abundant opportunities to set their position and ideas on the topic of choice, due to the experiences and different culture appreciation the person learns. Praise and negative comments has a way of defaming writing, as stated by Erika J. Peterson in her essay “Past Experiences and Future in Literacy” (Peterson 157) Living in different countries and being bilingual can also have a great impact on how and why you write. Works Cited
Flowers, Betty S. "Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge: Roles and the Writing Process. “Language Arts 58 (1981). 7-10. Webspace.utexas.edu Web. Web. 4 Jan.