Va Phi

9/7/2014
Final Draft

Dear Ms. Woods,

How long has it been since I have fled from your caring arms and ventured into my lifes
journey in refining my literacy? It must have been nine years now if I recall correctly; I still
remember all the idle faces of my classmates. It was that day when I was placed into your ESL
class for refusal to speak in class. Two years had passed
Sitting in my homeroom teachers classroom for the first time during my 4th grade year
surged up feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Those feelings began to dissipate when my
teacher specifically asked me to answer a question on the subject of English. With haste I
answered, Sorry, me no English; my teacher refused to believe such an obvious lie and insisted
on me trying one more time and again I answered Sorry, me no English. At that point my
teacher called the administrator and kindly asked to place me into an ESL class. Not knowing
what I had gotten myself into, I bravely proceeded into the ESL class the next day. It was a
cramped classroom that was shared between two classes; I can still vividly remember the other
teachers voice overlapping yours while you were giving a class introduction.
Unknowing of what may come in the following year, I devoted all of my time to
accomplishing the entire work load you handed out to the classes. Slowly I was able to initiate
small conversations with my peers. Thanks to my persistent efforts in class, you awarded me an
encyclopedia of ancient earth and the inhabitants that used to lived. I dove into the world of the
past immediately as soon as I got home. The nostalgia it brings every time I see the
encyclopedia. (Sentence deleted)
Near the end of the school year, you assigned the whole ESL class a reading assignment
that required us to finish a book within a month. The book you assigned was named Bridge to

Va Phi
9/7/2014
Final Draft

Terrabithia by Katherine Paterson. The novel was the first work of literature that I had ever
finished. While reading the book for a period of three weeks, my mind was unlocked to the
endless possibility of my imagination. I was pulled in the realm of literature and I still have
growing interest in works fiction and nonfiction alike. Reading the novel gave me a sense of
belonging or as if I was actually part of the adventure; resonance of emotions can be felt through
the written words.
As a surprise gift for the closing year, you took us to a movie theatre to watch the very
book that we had been reading. Compared to the book; the movie was much more entertaining
just because of the visuals that it displayed. You bringing us to the movie felt like a test to our
literacy competence and I can safely assume that I had passed this passive test considering that
the movie went according to my imagining when reading the novel. Returning to our last months
of school I felt an emergence of confidence in my literacy and I was able to participate in my
core classes. I have been made into a new person with your help in solidifying the foundation of
my literacy. No longer fearing the language barrier that held me back; I am able to speak freely
and answer questions with ease.
Looking back at the development of my literacy, it suggests that my foundation of
literacy gave way to my success in my educational goals. Undoubtedly, it was you who
commission my literacy journey to begin with. You have prepared me with the utilities to later
read and write at a collegiate level which permitted me to advance into my secondary education.
Not only did you play a part in my educational career but you also assisted me in communicating
effectively with others. You will forever remain the most influential person in my life.