Two difficulties:-
When I came to Chabot college the first problem I faced was the language barrier. The main reason behind the language problem is that I came from overseas. Back home in India I used to study in my own language which was a lot more comfortable for me. I studied all subjects in English as well, but I understood them in my language. So when I started coming to classes I felt like nothing and complete lost, I had no idea what to do. I barely spoke in English and whenever I didn’t understand anything then I couldn’t ask the teacher because if I won’t speak clearly then the teacher would have difficulty understanding me. I always came in the class trying to understand what the teacher was saying.
The second problem I faced is an extension of the language barrier, trying to understand questions being asked. As time went on. for the most part I could understand what students and teachers were saying but whenever anyone spoke too quickly then I became lost again. I always nodded my head to let the other person know that I understood everything they said, but in actuality I couldn’t understand them. Whenever a teacher spoke with an American accent then I always asked if they could repeat their message. Because of these two problems I had difficulty learning anything during the first semester.
How I dealed with them?
I did as much studying by myself until I encountered something I couldn’t teach myself. After receiving the homework in the class I came straight home. I studied for my classes online through my language videos and I tried to speak as much English as possible instead of in my native language. I conversed with students in my free time and I also joined the conversation club at Chabot where they gave us Q cards. We had to choose the card and then had to say something about it. I started watching hollywood movies so I could become more comfortable understanding the importance of tone in speech. I shared these problems with my counselors who helped me a lot to understand and speak English. As a result, I started reading books with less and less difficulty..
I commend you for the amount of courage and passion you have to come into another "world" that is complete opposite of what you're used to and the way you are overcoming it. Sounds like you're doing a great job and conquering one of the hardest things to do; learn an entire different language and culture. Keep up the good work and you will continue to on your path.
ReplyDeleteThis is very true, i felt the same way because English is my second language, and sometimes it was very difficult to understand what’s going on in school. I also agree with you that you have to be determined to succeed in something and work hard for your goals.
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