When I moved to an English-speaking country, I felt lost. My English was not perfect. I was afraid to speak. I thought I needed to forget my home language to fit in. I was wrong.
The Mistake I Made
At first, I tried to stop thinking in my first language. I watched only English TV. I avoided friends who spoke my language. I thought this would make me learn faster.
But something strange happened. I started to forget words in both languages. I couldn't explain my ideas clearly in English or in my first language. I felt stuck between two worlds, belonging to neither.
What Changed Everything
A teacher told me something that changed my life. She said: "Your first language is not your enemy. It is your friend. Use it to help you understand."
I started to learn differently:
- When I learned a new English concept, I first understood it in my language
- I kept a notebook with words in both languages
- I talked to my family in our home language without feeling guilty
- I found friends who were also bilingual and we helped each other
The Results Surprised Me
My English improved faster than before. But something else happened too. I felt more confident. I was proud of who I am. I could share my culture with others. I was not just learning English. I was becoming a person who can live and work in two worlds.
My Advice to You
Don't be ashamed of where you come from. Your first language is part of who you are. It holds your family stories, your cultural wisdom, your way of seeing the world.
When you learn English, you are not replacing your first language. You are adding a new skill. You are becoming more, not less.
This is why I joined YNova. I want to help other students learn the way I wish I had learned from the start. Your two languages are better together.
