Speech Script

“I have always found it challenging to connect with language. At the age of one my family relocated to this country. At that time I certainly did not understand how challenging it would be to learn a new language or how significantly it would influence my experiences as I grew up.

I was balancing two languages at the same time: Sylheti and English. At home we spoke Bangla. At school the subject was English. Every day felt like turning on a light—using Bangla at home with family and switching to English during the long eight-hour school days. However speaking was only one aspect of the challenge. The true difficulty lies in… I aimed to master a language yet I often felt like I was not achieving my goal.

Elementary school was overwhelming. New people, new rules, new expectations. The only time I felt like a regular kid was recess—thirty minutes of escape. But in the classroom, I was drowning in spelling tests, reading assessments, and the pressure of raising my hand. I dreaded it. Every time I mispronounced a word, it felt like proof that I didn’t belong.

Spelling was my biggest enemy. I couldn’t sound out words, no matter how hard I tried. Teachers told me to “use flashcards” or “sound it out,” but it didn’t help. My older sister tried, but even she couldn’t quite get me past my struggles. It wasn’t until I joined an ESL class that things changed.

My ESL teacher was different. She was patient. She guided us syllable by syllable, stopping when we made mistakes not to scold us, but to help us try again. For the first time, I felt seen. I wasn’t just a kid struggling with English I was someone who was trying, someone who just needed a little time. That class became my safe space.

Because of that support, I started reading more outside of school. Slowly, things got better. Words became clearer, sentences became stronger. By middle school, I wasn’t just surviving English—I was using it in a way that felt like my own.

Looking back, I realize that learning English wasn’t just about spelling or grammar. It was about finding my voice. It was about belonging. And without that teacher, without that moment of support, I might have never understood that language is more than just words—it’s a way to connect, to build bridges, and to make a place for yourself in the world.

I appreciate your attention and I hope this leaves a lasting impression on you just as it has on me.”