"Aria" by Richard Rodriquez

 Richard Rodriquez's writing provides insight into what was like living as an ESL (English as a Second Language) student and the difficulties and feelings he had with his experience.

Quote 1: “Without question, it would have pleased me to hear my teachers address me in Spanish when I entered the classroom (p1.)"

All children want their teacher to accept them for who they are and encourage their culture within the classroom. Something so simple as saying hello in the student's first language can make a huge difference to the child. It's the little things that your students will remember.

Quote 2: " 'Is it possible for you and your husband to encourage your children to practice their English when they are home?' Of course, my parents complied (p2.)"

This quote is from when the teachers asked Rodriquez's parents if they could speak more English at home to improve his English speaking and learning in general. Something so simple to the teachers became something so harmful to Rodriquez's life. He felt wrong to be using 'someone else's' language. He felt that it wasn't his to use. But, more so, he became disconnected from his culture and more importantly, to his family.

Quote 3: "We remained a loving family, but one greatly changed. No longer so close; no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public separateness (p3.)"

Continuing from my analysis of quote two, Rodriquez expresses how this simple request affected his family. Yes, he still continued to have a loving family, however, he felt as though his family wasn't as close as they were before when using a different language than their first. Language is an important part of culture and it's shown how difficult it can make someone's life when it is unaccepted in a school setting.

Reflection: How would you be able to communicate with an ESL student without asking them to learn English?

Communicating With ESL Students