2018 Essay Winners
We had 4 winning essays this year and an honorable mention! An amazing essay by Maja Szatan a 10-year old.
- Adria Fraga
- Ana Cotua
- Giancarlos Botarelli
- Lila Voigt
- Maja Szatan
``My Stepping Stones to English``
By Adria Fraga
When I arrived in the USA from Brazil in 2004, I didn't speak English. After living in Boston for six months, I got to the intermediate level. Then, I moved back to Brazil for 12 years and didn’t practice speaking much. Meanwhile my husband wasn’t very good at speaking English either.Two years ago I came back to Florida to live. I brought my two sons this time - Bruno is 7 and Arthur is almost 3. Now my husband speaks better English than I do because he works outside of the house. I was looking for a place to help me to speak better because I didn’t feel comfortable.
Then I found the literacy program at the Palm Harbor Library. Tanya, the person who matched me with my tutor, introduced me to Miss Lola. She is helping me to speak good English and improve every week. She is very nice. She speaks slowly and clearly. For me the hardest part is my pronunciation because of my Portuguese accent. Now I can say –ed at the end of a verb. Before people asked me to speak Spanish with them. Now nobody does.
When my son, Bruno talks to me, he mixes Portuguese with English. Arthur also speaks English, Portuguese and his own language. I can’t imagine not being able to understand my sons. We just speak Portuguese at home, because for us it is important for them to speak both languages. Once I read that your bond with your children will probably not be as good if you give up your native language, and you don’t know how to speak good English either.
My English has been improving by speaking to my friends and neighbors. I practice reading school notes, NPR News on the Internet, emails and magazines. I am also participating in a Toastmaster club. It is a place where groups of people go to learn how to speak better in public. For me, it is good to listen to all of them there. My Stepping Stones are improving every day. It is so good to be able to communicate better, now that I feel more confident reading, writing and speaking English.
My Literacy Journey to Success
By Ana Cotua
I want to share my history with you! My name is Ana Cotua, I'm 36 years old and I’m Accountant. I’m from Venezuela and I have been in the USA for 15 months with my husband and my daughter.
Venezuela is having the worst moment right now and unfortunately my family and I lived in dangerous situation over there, that’s why we had to leave our country. I didn’t grow up thinking or dreaming of being an emigrant; but now I am so I have to see the positive way of everything. Now, I’m in a beautiful country, knowing a new culture and learning a new language.
This way of learning the English language began in Venezuela. Before I came here, I took class for 6 months once per week. Once I moved here I went to the ESOL program in Oldsmar, those classes helped me to get basic skills in grammar and writing, but I needed to improve my reading and communications skills because I felt fearful to speak with others in English. It was then when my husband and I started to look for other options and we found the tutor program in the Palm Harbor Library, we signed up to get classes and they assigned us to Denise as my tutor and Mike as my husband’s tutor. We started class at the end of January and during these months we have learned a lot. I meet Denise once per week and we can talk about how our week was and also we make some activities and Reading. Sometimes I go with my husband to his class with Mike and I receive reinforcement in grammar and reading, also I enjoy talking with him. Right now I feel better because I can understand when someone talk to me and I can speak and read so much better. Also, now I can help my daughter to do her homework. My daughter is very smart, she is in third grade and she got the language so fast, when I started to study with her she corrected me a lot, but now is different I’m helpful to her and that makes me happy, so I’m very thankful with Denise and Mike.
In addition to the tutor hours, I use different tools to study, as Rosetta Stone app, watch videos on youtube and watch movies in English. I think learning a new language is a long process. I know it’s not easy but it’s neither complicated, it’s a plus in my life. I want to try to keep learning that new language to get a high level, and get more opportunities to do
good things in this great country. The knowledge is infinite so I can’t be comfortable with a basic or poor skills, I have to work on it every day to succeed. Sometimes I have ups and downs, but the key is being constant and every day I can do better.
The language breaks limits and opens doors. Now I’m preparing forward to go to the next level, that is go to the school and get a certificate in my career and find a professional job. I will never give up! And I want to invite you to start today and never stop!
Stepping Stones
My name is Giancarlos Botarelli, I'm from Venezuela, I’m 41 years old, I studied computer software engineering, and I came to the USA with my daughter and my wife fourteen months ago. I started to study English few years ago, I used to read a lot of books and manuals because of my profession and the algorithm that I used in software are in English too. I usually used to travel every year to different places as Aruba Curacao and USA, and I usually used to practice with the people in the hotels and the parks that we visited in the past.
Living here is too different, now I have to work, study and understand everything in English because I have to help my daughter with her homework, and go shopping, and do everyday normal things that an American resident does. To reach this goal I went to the ESOL program when I just came here, and that experience was amazing but the tutorial at the library has been the most personalized training ever. My tutor Mike is excellent! We talk about news and culture things twice a week and I feel that the progress is faster than ever. Now I’ve a job as a salesman in a cellphone store, also I’m a server in a restaurant twice a week, but I want to improve my English in order to find a better job, may be in my area software or sales. To be in this wonderful country has been a personal challenge, because is a 180 degrees change of my lifestyles, but I know if I keep the faith in myself me and my family can do it better and dominate the language!
My Stepping Stones
By Lila Voigt
When we came to the USA, I spoke only a few English words. At the beginning it was difficult time for me. Pointing and hand gestures were almost universally understood. Shopping was easy because everything was on the shelves. I paid by cash or by check, because I didn't have a credit card yet. It took time to write a check because I didn't know the numbers. Sometimes I had a problem understanding how much I had to pay. I looked at the numbers on the screen and that helped me.
That was my first stepping stone. I started to learn English. I had a few English books and I could read them. The books helped a lot and I started to watch lV. I borrowed a few English cassettes from the library and I started listening. I knew I needed to improve my English.
I worked nights and there wasn't much time to learn. I started to communicate a little bit with people. That was my next stepping stone. I read many children's books and it helped me to understand. I knew I must spend more time to learn English. Ifs most important to practice. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. The English language is the most widespread in the world. English has 26 letters. The spelling and pronunciation is difficult. I need to use English correctly and clearly. It was my dream. I was working full time and didn't have much time to learn. Sometimes my friend at work translated for me when we had weekly meetings with the boss.
That was my next stepping stone. After I retired, I started to go to the library for Conversation Class. I spent more time learning. I watched more lV because I could understand better. The library of Palm Harbor has tutors, who are teaching adults, to learn English as a second language. rm one of those adults. I have a very good tutor. She is friendly, patient and gives me encouragement. The lessons are very interesting and helpful. I do a lot of homework using books from the library.
That is my next stepping stone. I use an I Pad to translate to find the meaning of English words. In addition to that, I use another on-line self Study English course with a free on-line program.
I also use an Audio-recorder. I record and then listen to the speaker's voice and my voice. This helps me to improve my pronunciation. Learning to speak English is a long process. I need to practice pronunciation and minimize my accent.
Very helpful were the "Read Along" classes by SPC Professor Jeanna Ojeda. I attended classes every other Saturday from January-to May. All the students listened to The Wonderful Wizard of OZ and read it aloud. I will continue to learn English. That is my next big stepping stone.
Venezuela is having the worst moment right now and unfortunately my family and I lived in dangerous situation over there, that’s why we had to leave our country. I didn’t grow up thinking or dreaming of being an emigrant; but now I am so I have to see the positive way of everything. Now, I’m in a beautiful country, knowing a new culture and learning a new language.
This way of learning the English language began in Venezuela. Before I came here, I took class for 6 months once per week. Once I moved here I went to the ESOL program in Oldsmar, those classes helped me to get basic skills in grammar and writing, but I needed to improve my reading and communications skills because I felt fearful to speak with others in English. It was then when my husband and I started to look for other options and we found the tutor program in the Palm Harbor Library, we signed up to get classes and they assigned us to Denise as my tutor and Mike as my husband’s tutor. We started class at the end of January and during these months we have learned a lot. I meet Denise once per week and we can talk about how our week was and also we make some activities and Reading. Sometimes I go with my husband to his class with Mike and I receive reinforcement in grammar and reading, also I enjoy talking with him. Right now I feel better because I can understand when someone talk to me and I can speak and read so much better. Also, now I can help my daughter to do her homework. My daughter is very smart, she is in third grade and she got the language so fast, when I started to study with her she corrected me a lot, but now is different I’m helpful to her and that makes me happy, so I’m very thankful with Denise and Mike.
In addition to the tutor hours, I use different tools to study, as Rosetta Stone app, watch videos on youtube and watch movies in English. I think learning a new language is a long process. I know it’s not easy but it’s neither complicated, it’s a plus in my life. I want to try to keep learning that new language to get a high level, and get more opportunities to do
good things in this great country. The knowledge is infinite so I can’t be comfortable with a basic or poor skills, I have to work on it every day to succeed. Sometimes I have ups and downs, but the key is being constant and every day I can do better.
The language breaks limits and opens doors. Now I’m preparing forward to go to the next level, that is go to the school and get a certificate in my career and find a professional job. I will never give up! And I want to invite you to start today and never stop!
Stepping Stones
by Giancarlos Botarelli
My name is Giancarlos Botarelli, I'm from Venezuela, I’m 41 years old, I studied computer software engineering, and I came to the USA with my daughter and my wife fourteen months ago. I started to study English few years ago, I used to read a lot of books and manuals because of my profession and the algorithm that I used in software are in English too. I usually used to travel every year to different places as Aruba Curacao and USA, and I usually used to practice with the people in the hotels and the parks that we visited in the past.Living here is too different, now I have to work, study and understand everything in English because I have to help my daughter with her homework, and go shopping, and do everyday normal things that an American resident does. To reach this goal I went to the ESOL program when I just came here, and that experience was amazing but the tutorial at the library has been the most personalized training ever. My tutor Mike is excellent! We talk about news and culture things twice a week and I feel that the progress is faster than ever. Now I’ve a job as a salesman in a cellphone store, also I’m a server in a restaurant twice a week, but I want to improve my English in order to find a better job, may be in my area software or sales. To be in this wonderful country has been a personal challenge, because is a 180 degrees change of my lifestyles, but I know if I keep the faith in myself me and my family can do it better and dominate the language!
My Stepping Stones
By Lila Voigt
When we came to the USA, I spoke only a few English words. At the beginning it was difficult time for me. Pointing and hand gestures were almost universally understood. Shopping was easy because everything was on the shelves. I paid by cash or by check, because I didn't have a credit card yet. It took time to write a check because I didn't know the numbers. Sometimes I had a problem understanding how much I had to pay. I looked at the numbers on the screen and that helped me.
That was my first stepping stone. I started to learn English. I had a few English books and I could read them. The books helped a lot and I started to watch lV. I borrowed a few English cassettes from the library and I started listening. I knew I needed to improve my English.
I worked nights and there wasn't much time to learn. I started to communicate a little bit with people. That was my next stepping stone. I read many children's books and it helped me to understand. I knew I must spend more time to learn English. Ifs most important to practice. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. The English language is the most widespread in the world. English has 26 letters. The spelling and pronunciation is difficult. I need to use English correctly and clearly. It was my dream. I was working full time and didn't have much time to learn. Sometimes my friend at work translated for me when we had weekly meetings with the boss.
That was my next stepping stone. After I retired, I started to go to the library for Conversation Class. I spent more time learning. I watched more lV because I could understand better. The library of Palm Harbor has tutors, who are teaching adults, to learn English as a second language. rm one of those adults. I have a very good tutor. She is friendly, patient and gives me encouragement. The lessons are very interesting and helpful. I do a lot of homework using books from the library.
That is my next stepping stone. I use an I Pad to translate to find the meaning of English words. In addition to that, I use another on-line self Study English course with a free on-line program.
I also use an Audio-recorder. I record and then listen to the speaker's voice and my voice. This helps me to improve my pronunciation. Learning to speak English is a long process. I need to practice pronunciation and minimize my accent.
Very helpful were the "Read Along" classes by SPC Professor Jeanna Ojeda. I attended classes every other Saturday from January-to May. All the students listened to The Wonderful Wizard of OZ and read it aloud. I will continue to learn English. That is my next big stepping stone.
My Literacy Journey to Success: Challenging my Mind; Following my Heart from Polish to English By Maja Szatan
Have you ever spoken two languages? My success at learning two languages began when I came to Florida at seven years old. I had no idea how I was going to learn to speak English. My best friend, tutors, teachers, and parents have been the best helpers in my whole life. Now I have the best education in English I could ever imagine having. The two languages I speak now are Polish and English.
The first word I learned was important to me because it helped me to communicate with others and make new friends. My first word was, “hello” in English. Some friends like Sara are still my friends. Even though I am sad to not have people like my cousins who are still in Poland, I have made new best friends. Sara is now in fifth grade. Her mom is my mom’s friend. When I first came to school, Sara taught the class to say hello in Polish, and then when I came to class as a very shy student, I was so surprised that it blew my socks off. The kids said hello to me in Polish! Speaking of blowing my socks off, that phrase is an idiom. Idioms are an important part of the English language because they make English interesting.
My ESOL teachers taught me about idioms. They told me that idioms are not the real meanings of words, but rather a funny way to say it. For example, “hungry as a lion” doesn’t mean that you’re actually a lion but rather, starving to death. That is also an idiom! It doesn’t mean that you’re going to die from starvation, but it means that you are really hungry. Speaking of teachers, many people have influenced me to learn English.
Another stepping stone to learning English for me was working at home with my parents. My parents push me hard, but remain kind, calm, and never lose patience. They challenge me by giving me hard words to spell and asking me what it means. My mom helps me to chunk out my words, just like my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Bengston, taught me to do. Then she makes me write it so it is always in my head. Additionally, after school, I have three tutors. The first is my Florida’s grandma Betti and grandpa Stephen. The second is my other tutor, Ms. Kyrena, and the third is my teacher, Mrs. Preston. My parents always want me to keep pushing myself hard and try with my whole heart. Therefore, I love them with my whole heart.
I followed my dreams to a better and more successful life by learning more and pushing myself to learn the beautiful language of English. Now I am ten years old, and I love to speak English. I am bilingual in English and Polish. All the people who have helped me in my life have encouraged me to be a better speaker and to be more fluid in English. Your parents and other people can push you like that too. Always remember to work with your whole heart and mind!
Another stepping stone to learning English for me was working at home with my parents. My parents push me hard, but remain kind, calm, and never lose patience. They challenge me by giving me hard words to spell and asking me what it means. My mom helps me to chunk out my words, just like my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Bengston, taught me to do. Then she makes me write it so it is always in my head. Additionally, after school, I have three tutors. The first is my Florida’s grandma Betti and grandpa Stephen. The second is my other tutor, Ms. Kyrena, and the third is my teacher, Mrs. Preston. My parents always want me to keep pushing myself hard and try with my whole heart. Therefore, I love them with my whole heart.
I followed my dreams to a better and more successful life by learning more and pushing myself to learn the beautiful language of English. Now I am ten years old, and I love to speak English. I am bilingual in English and Polish. All the people who have helped me in my life have encouraged me to be a better speaker and to be more fluid in English. Your parents and other people can push you like that too. Always remember to work with your whole heart and mind!