Here's one of the things I wrote for the program, for a while I thought it was one of the best things I had ever written, now I just don't know anymore:
EDIT because I posted the wrong draft.
Why I want to be a Foreign Language Assistant
By Paola Malagon
I was never the most popular girl, I always had a small group of friends, I’ve never been good at sports, but God, I loved school. I loved the experience, and the safe feeling I got whenever I walked through the gates, ran to my classroom and hid comfortably behind my desk. Naturally, I was very shy. Speaking in front of a whole class terrified me and I avoided those experiences whenever I had the chance. This is why it’s so strange that I ended up as a teacher. I want to be a Foreign Language Assistant for many reasons, but the three most important ones are my students, my firm belief that it would help me promote the Spanish language and culture, and I because I go to seek a Great Perhaps.
To be completely honest, I first took this job because I needed the money and because it was a perfect way to practice English every day. But, I fell in love with it. I fell for the little kids who come up to you and hug you in the middle of the hallway. I fell for the class clown who just wants a little bit of your attention. I fell for the student who despite all the work and family issues still makes it on time for class. I fell for the student who stays after class to help you carry the material back to the teacher's room, and I fell for the look on their faces when they learn something new and their whole face just lights up. I want to be a FLA because I know that after this I could be a better teacher for each and every one of them.
Until a point in my life, I was a bit of a Benedict Arnold. I loved the English language and I was very interested in the American and British culture. It was one of the reasons why I did a major in translation. But, while I was in the University I took comparative grammar and I discovered how wonderful my first language is.
The sounds, the rolling of the r’s, the conjugation of the verbs, whether to use a masculine or feminine article and all of the different characteristics that make it rich, diverse and fascinating. If I could show at least one student whose first language isn’t Spanish what I can see in my own language I’d be a very happy teacher. As a translator I can be the bridge that connects two different cultures; but as I teacher I’m actually helping students to cross it.
Speaking a second language can open all types of opportunities and with Spanish being spoken as an official language in four continents, the ability to speak it would give the students an advantage in the international job market. Not to mention that tasting, hearing and learning about different cultures gives students an idea of a world possibly beyond what they already know.
Going to live in a different country alone, losing yourself in its language and culture, accepting different opinions and values along with being away from your family and friends -- personally, I think it’d be scary. But at the same time, I think it would be an amazing character-building experience. I suppose it would be an adventure, a challenge. And I’m up for it.
John Green once wrote, “I go to seek a Great Perhaps.” Apparently, they were François Rabelais’ last words. This is why I’m going, so I don’t have to wait until I’m about to die to start seeking a Great Perhaps, I'm ready for that adventure to start now.
TTFN
