Sucess Stories

English Language Learner Pursues Higher Goals

by Frances V. Ortiz
Ysleta Community Learning Center, El Paso

English… I have been enjoying the process since it started. Not even a born English speaker can say that he or she has reached excellence in everything concerning the language or any language. There are many reasons for me to decide learning a new language... spare time, professional issues, personal issues, environmental issues and educational reasons among others. All of them can make a difference in a person’s quality of life. The professional reason could be on the top of the list for most people.

How many of us (Spanish speakers) dream about having a better job with better compensation? However, suddenly we wake up and find out that was a dream and that reality is completely different because of the lack of efficiency in the English language; but, what if we can change that? For me, as an ESL student I am willing to give the extra mile to prove that I am completely capable to learn a second language efficiently and that I deserve to be in the competition, in first place and not in the last to gain a better job. Learning English will help to overcome professional obstacles. I am working hard for it, and I am even winning satisfaction within myself.

Almost everybody everywhere wants to be a better person. Learning a second language, in this case English, can make me feel comfortable with myself by improving my self-esteem and confidence, and avoiding the “scatter-brain” situation that sometimes makes people look at us with disdain and prejudice, even on a daily basis with friends and co-workers. When you win that war, you can win the battle against your environment.

The environment sometimes has the power to make me succeed or make me fail, that depends on different things. Nevertheless, learning English is giving me the tools to understand that environment better, that environment where I decided to live. If I learned English, I am able to respect, instruct myself, and help myself integrate into the “American” society. The environment affects me in many ways, because of that; I have been involved in awkward situations that at the end worked against me. If you can reach to be part of the environment, it is going to be another battle that you are going to win, because you are capable to defend your position in this society, you can show that you are part of this demanding social process. This American nation has a lot of variety in many ways and we need to be open-minded to those varieties. That is why I think learning English will help me to know this environment and society better. I need to study to have the necessary knowledge about what is happening around me.

Last but not least, one never says, “That is enough knowledge.” Even as an adult, when we have already achieved the goal of learning an average amount of English to survive in society, one never says that is enough. English will help me to reach my goal of finishing my Bachelor’s Degree successfully.

These are just some of the reasons why I am studying English. Every day I get self-motivated to continue in this journey that at the end is going to have many rewards in many ways: professional and personal. I will not stop, I will not quit, and I will continue my studies and conquer my goals!

About the Author

Finally, I would like to give you a brief description about me. My name is Frances V. Ortiz, I’m twenty seven years old, I’m married but I do not have any kids yet. I moved to El Paso, Texas a year and a half ago because my husband works here. I am an active substitute teacher but I have been struggling to have success with that because of my lack of communication with the English language. Being skilled and successful as a substitute teacher is one of my many goals and one of the many reasons of why I am studying English at the Ysleta Community Learning Center at El Paso, Texas. Also, I have a part-time job as a sales associate at the local mall. I really have a lot of hopes and aspirations, learning the English language is going to help me to conquer some of them for example I want to join one of the divisions of the Armed Forces and finish my Bachelor’s Degree. I want to be a successful woman professionally and personally in order to give the best of me to a future family. I’m working hard; I know I can do it! I will win this battle no matter what!