Students in our English Language Development classes recently discussed what it is like to be part of two cultures. They speak English at school and another language at home. They were asked to think about advantages and disadvantages of being part of two cultures. They also developed their own websites about their native culture, complete with photos, links and a journal entry about a day in the life of their country.
“What I don’t like is when you don’t understand English. But the people here help you a lot.”
Kimberly, age 11, from Guatemala, moved to U. S. in 2005. My Website
“I like the food here but I miss my family. I miss playing soccer in the street with my friends. It is very hard to understand the people at school sometimes.”
Brandon, age 13, from Guatemala, came to U.S. in 2006. My Website
“It’s hard when you’re new. The homework is harder. But I like trying different types of food. I get to make more friends because I speak Spanish and English.”
“It can be confusing when I speak one language at home and another at school. I think you can forget who you really are and where you are from. You miss your family in Korea. But I enjoy celebrating more holidays! I can talk in Korean instead of English when I’m with my Korean friends. I can think of myself as an American.”
Gi Su, age 13, from South Korea, came to U. S. at age 11. My Website
“I can communicate with different people because I speak Spanish and English. My father lives in El Salvador and I haven’t seen him in 3 years. I was 4 years old when my mom came to the United States. I stayed in El Salvador with my sisters until I could get permission to come here. I was 10. Now I have a stepdad here and a big family here. I have 3 sisters and 3 brothers. Two of my brothers are older and they are working. I have cousins here, too. I like having a big family. I haven’t been back to El Salvador in 3 years.”
Samuel, age 13, from El Salvador. My Website
“ I can get confused by speaking two languages but it’s good to be able to read two languages. You can insult someone and they don’t know it! Sometimes I forget the correct word I want to say in English.”
Lena, age 12, family from Viet Nam. My Website
“I like that I get to speak two languages and celebrate a lot of holidays. But I miss the family in Guadalajara because I hardly know them. Sometimes people from a place stay together all the time and maybe that’s not so good. I like that I can speak to people easily in both languages.”
Manuel, age 14, from Mexico, came to the U. S. at age 7. My Website
“In school, the students talk and I don’t understand. They talk fast. I just came here two months ago from China. Here the teachers are very nice. In China, the teachers give a lot of homework and we never had time to play. I miss my friends in China. Also, I have 2 cousins and a grandfather in China. I write letters to them. On Sundays at my house my mom and dad and I speak only English so we can learn and get better.”
Christina, age 12, from China. My Website
“I am one of the few kids in my grade who speaks both Spanish and English. A lot of my friends ask me how to say something in Spanish and it’s easy for me. I lke speaking Spanish at my house. When I talk to my mom my friends wonder what I’m saying. I like the Mexican food that my mom and grandma cook!
I have relatives in Mexico City and Veracruz. I’ve been to Mexico City and Acapulco. Acapulco was fun because there was a nice beach and waterslides! “
Hugo, age 11, from Mexico My Website
“I’m learning English and that’s really good because now I know two languages. If I go to Korea sometime, I can help people who only speak English.
In Korea, we have to learn more things, even after school. We have to study more and take classes after our regular school day. Here there is a lot less homework. I lived in France and went to school there before I came to the U.S. on December 22, 2005. I like learning English. It’s not hard for me. I think the technology in Korea was better than here. I like Mill Valley Middle School. It’s good.”
David, age 12, from Korea My Website
