Richard Rodriguez English As A Second Language Summary

English as a Second Language
It is a struggle to adapt to a new culture and language, which may be completely different from the ones young child may have already learned. This can lead to inner conflict, confusion, and even anger. One way to handle the conflict is to cut ties with the first culture including language. But is this the answer? Doing so can create a sense of loss. In the essay “Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood”, Richard Rodriguez shares his personal experience with learning English as a second language. In his linguistic journey, the author feels a disconnect between Spanish, the language used at home by his Mexican immigrant parents, and English, the language used in the public world. He raises an important question
In his early childhood, Spanish was his exclusive language used by his parents, siblings, and family. He perceived this language as a “private language”, the language that gave him comfort. It was his family language, which was used in safety of his home, apart from a strange world of “los gringos”. “To hear its sounds was to feel myself specially recognized as one of the family, apart from los otros” (329). English, on the other hand, was the language little Ricardo associated with strangers, and it was only used in the outside world. Richard felt intimidated by it, because he knew quite well that his English was poor. “My words could not extend to form complete thoughts. And the words I did speak I didn’t know well enough to make distinct sounds” (328). Rodriguez felt that he didn’t belong in the outside world. He was awkward comparing to native English speakers. He lacked confidence and he struggled to master “public language”. “I remained cloistered by sounds, timid and shy in public, too dependent on the voices at home. And yet I was a very happy child when I was at home” (330). He was also embarrassed by his parents’ heavily accented, ungrammatical
Spanish speaking kids are able to adapt faster to the curriculum and the culture while English speakers develop better cognitive skills (Latino Voices, April 2014). Furthermore, reports from American Psychiatric Association show that children who are raised bilingual have a better ability to process sounds and therefore develop better concentration skills. They also have reduced levels of anxiety, loneliness and poor self-esteem (Psychiatric News, April 2012). There are several other distinct benefits to the use of bilingual education. Most children enter school with basic language skills already in place – the language may be their native language, such as in Richard Rodriguez’s case, or English. It is entirely up to qualified teachers to use those language skills to help them develop the academic competence they need to succeed in life. Richard might have benefited from bilingual education, have the nuns did not discourage it. It is proven, that children learn more effectively if they learn English through the use of their native language. This method provides solid basis for learning and allows them to keep up with their classmates while acquiring the language they need in order to interact efficiently in society. Bilingual learning preserves children 's sense of pride in the language of their ancestors, allowing them to function in an English dominant society, while