Mastering a Foreign Language: Reading and Writing

Learning to Read and Write

Learning how to read and write a foreign language involves knowing the process of writing, methods of writing, the larger elements of writing and the smaller elements of writing. Reading and writing English enables the learner to compose, narrate, describe, argue and structure essays in the most appropriate spelling and grammar requirements. My ambition in learning the English language is significantly to improve my writing and reading of the language. In this essay, I have elaborated on my experience based on the language barrier. My first language which is Arabic is not a globally spoken language hence there is the need for me to learn the reading and writing of English.

In learning English language, I struggle to do several things so that I can improve my English.I also have some set of personal instructions and guidelines that are of help to me as I continue to make my English perfect. To begin with, I am not afraid of making mistakes. It is my confidence that make the people surrounding me to correct my mistakes as I make them. In the text about Douglass’s story, there are painful truths that must be encountered when learning a new language. (Cohen 23) It is true we will occasionally make mistakes and lack confidence when learning a foreign language. One gets the required confidence when the people around them all speak the foreign language that the person is struggling to gain. (Clement, Dornyei and Noels 417) Since I am surrounded by English speaking people, I have been consistent in learning how to speak the language. The best way to learn a language is thus through speaking.

It is true that practice makes perfect. I have been regularly practicing through my study plan that pushes me to study English language. I have always stuck to my study plan given that I spend much time trying to read the skills and concepts in the English language. My friends have been helpful to me since they ensure that I follow my study plan. Even as I interact and have with, them the amazing thing is that they do not let down when it comes to my study plan. It is noted in Douglass story that we should not only focus on what we know but also on what friends know. (Cohen 23) They avoid interrupting me and instead they offer assistance where they can. My friends help me practice skills the in writing, reading, speaking and listening to English language. Through the help of friends, I have a notebook of new words that I come across daily. I keep going through the notebook so that I can master the new words. In a journal article about foreign language, classroom anxiety leads to learning of several new words since the learner is eager to speak and write the language. (Hortwiz, Hortwitz and Cope 125)

While studying the English language, I have given myself a long term goal that I am focusing. My long term goal is to be fluent in speaking the English language, writing without grammar mistakes and learning to listen to the people speaking the language. In the meantime, I have managed to know what best works in the journey to learning English language. I find passive constructs in newspaper articles that also assist me in constructing sentences. Lastly, I have been able to read graded readers whose books are basically written for my level.

In an article in the 50 Essays a Portable Anthology, I am reminded of an experience of my own where I could not understand anything in class because of the language barrier. In Fredrick Douglass Learning to read and write, it is noted that Douglass is becoming of age as a writer and he has learned a lot more apart from just the word. In his education, he is able to apply the knowledge he has achieved in the outside world. (Cohen 22) The text explains that the discussion of Douglass’s story of his learning to read and write in a specific language must not just be majored on the learning of the language.

I am reminded of the trauma I had undergone some time back when I could not understand some concept that our teacher in high school was explaining. I had barely taken two months while studying the new language, and so I began pursuing my career course that was being taught in the foreign language. I remember being so moody since every idea spoken passed by like the wind. We had to understand whatever topic that was being taught and put the ideas into writing. That was the climax of my frustration; not being able to put down point as everybody else was busy scribbling down points. The idea is whether students able to understand the arguments and make good use out of them. In Douglass’s story, attention is also given to what else Douglass learns apart from reading and writing. (Cohen 22) In my case, I could not apply any idea in class due to lack of understanding created by the language barrier. It is important that one applies the idea he/she has in other fields.

In conclusion, starting a new language means learning new words and one has to lay down strategies on how to be successful in learning the new language. It is a hard task for adults to learn how to read and write a foreign language due to many challenges ranging from responsibilities leading to minimum study time and the problem of lack of confidence. Many approaches are, therefore useful in learning a new language. One has to consider what is best for him when choosing the best approach.