Language Interview

Andrew Beard

Mr.Wojewodski

Honors Human Geography

1/9/11

My Interview

            For my interview, I decided to interview a girl named Renee L’Altrelli. She is currently a sophomore here at John Carroll and she was born in Maryland. Her primary language is Spanish and I interviewed her to find out how hard it was for her to transition to English from Spanish. I also wanted to find out how her experienced has differed in America since she speaks another language than English and if her lifestyles have changed. It was a great experience to interview her and I also thank her for taking part and putting her time into this project.

Q: How difficult was it for you to learn English?

A: I had a few challenges like learning slang and words that can have two meanings, also words that you have to rhyme together. It was definitely a big change for me and it took me a while to really get the hang of speaking English. I knew I had to learn English in order to live in the United States and I could not give up learning English because I knew I would not fit in correctly.

Q: Did you want to learn English at all?

A: I wanted to learn English because it is something that all countries use for business and it is something that I find would be helpful for the future.

Q: Do you still speak your primary language to your family?

A: No we mostly try and try to speak as much English as possible but sometimes we break into Spanish.

Q: Do you like living in the US so far, or were you born here?

A: I have enjoyed living in America so far, and I am trying to get used to all of the technology and all.  I was born here in Maryland but have been moving all around since I was 3 years old.

Q: How has your lifestyle changed?

A: My lifestyle has changed by the clothing styles are different here and having to make new friends and trying to get used to all of these different areas in Maryland

Q: How hard is it to learn your subjects in English?

A: It is hard for me because they teach differently and they have more requirements for assignments. Also, a lot of times I do not know what some words mean, so I try to ask people next to me.

Q: What is your native language and does your family speak it at home?

A: My native language is Spanish because I grew up speaking it with my family, but for now we speak English as much as possible at home because we want to learn new words, and sometimes we will break into Spanish depending on the conversation.

Q: What is your favorite thing about living in the United States so far?

A: My favorite thing is how all the stores and such are close so we don’t have to travel far, and all of the American food is incredible. There are also a lot of fun things to do here and there is always something going on during the weekends.

Q: What do you like least about living here?

A: How people are always in a rush here, also that it is super cold here compared to Mexico, so now I have to buy a new wardrobe of clothing. It is also much harder to fit in than in Mexico and a lot of things are very expensive, especially clothes.

Q: How hard it to make friends since English is your second language?

A: It is hard because sometimes I don’t know what the easiest word can mean, and then I will ask them, and then they make fun of me for it because they think I am stupid, so I feel out of place sometimes.

Q: Do you know other students who share your first language?

A: I don’t know anybody else here who speaks it, but it would be very interesting to find someone who speaks Spanish so we could communicate together and be friends.

Q: How are high school students here different from those in your native Country?

A: High school is different here because in Mexico I went to an international school so they were a bit more ahead there, also I feel like people do not understand me a lot because I have had experiences there that people will probably never experience here, for example dead people lying on the street, and tons of drugs.  You make friends with people that you can connect with, and here there really isn't anyone here like that.