Oluwapelumi Akande
English 84
EVERYDAY HEROES
Having learnt
British English all my life and always being on top made my moving to the
United State, not the best experience at the beginning. I felt it was a detriment for me due to my strong accent, and the
type of English I was familiar with. It was a big cultural shock for me. In retrospect, I remember not wanting to associate
myself with people especially my race because they would ask naive questions
about Africa like if we slept on trees, but I had to get over it because it was
not exactly their fault I mean they have been made to believe certain things that
to me were just inane. I had to take the
lowest English class due to my unfamiliarity with American English which made
me despondent at some point, but I did not
relinquish I aimed at working my way to the top. Which was easier said than
done. My first English class I had the worst teacher ever, I mean at some point
I thought I was just dorm that I did not learn anything but really I just had a
very nonchalant teacher. At the end of the school year I got a “C”, which was
not good enough for me especially my family, they did not understand that I
just had a bad teacher they just assumed was that I was just lazy. Then one day
I was opportune to listen to a message by Joyce Meyer that changed my life, one
thing she said that really spoke to me was ‘take charge of your life and done
blame other people for your shortcomings.” Immediately I reflected to that and
I thought to myself why blame my teacher for not improving my English when I
could just pick a book to read or go for tutoring. Next semester came and I was
determined within myself to work hard with or without my teacher’s help. I
pushed myself by taking honors classes and AP classes even though I did not
pass my English AP test I was euphoric with
myself because I took charge of my life and challenged myself which not only
made me a better person but also helped my language barrier.
keep being strong and be positive
ReplyDeleteCongrats you have gone a long way, keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for pushing yourself to improve on what was a challenge for you, American English. Don't give up.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for pushing yourself to improve on what was a challenge for you, American English. Don't give up.
ReplyDeleteI understand you so much my first language was Spanish it was hard for me. keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteIt's inspiring that even though you were in such a different environment and place you were able to push yourself forward and get so far!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Pelumi, I know you're are strong and smart enough to get through it all!(:
ReplyDeleteYea speaking English is hard but I know you can do just keep believe and pushing yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't let the move get to you. If I had to leave Cali and go to some foreign country Id be pretty mad like a everyday thing.
ReplyDelete