My literacy narrative essay focuses on a personal experience that I wrote about and expressed with the help of articles and the internet. I chose this theme since it is something about which I am quite passionate. I genuinely believe that today’s literacy skills are a reflection of the society we live in. I chose to write about my reading and writing experience since it was one that I still remember to this day. When I think of reading and writing I think about the time when I did that essay. I recall the days I spent reading all of the articles and conducting research, and I have no doubt that this experience influenced me.
In my senior year of middle school, class started and I had two periods of english. In the first period, the teacher would explain the topic. And gives us a workout from the book. And second period, there would be a whole class discussion and the students would share their opinions and also write short response essays. This was the usual format for our English class for some days. It was a routine I got used to. But on one particular day, the topic was different. The teacher didn’t go over the book. Instead, she asked us a question, “If you were in a country where there’s war, what would you want to do?” I don’t remember the question clearly but I heard the word “Refugees“.
Refugees, which the teacher mentioned were people who had to leave their own country because of war. They had to leave their homes, their jobs, their loved ones, and even their name. They had to start a new life somewhere else. The class discussion went on for a long time. Some students shared their opinions. One student mentioned how the refugees were like strangers in the new country. They didn’t know the language and they had no money to pay for things. They were afraid that the people in the new country would not accept them. Then another student suggested that the refugees and immigrants sound the same . They both mean the same thing. But the teacher clarified that the word “Refugee” means “A person who has to run away or leave their country because of danger or war.” while immigrants are people who come to a country for better or for new things. They are not forced to leave their country. They have a choice.” Before the bell rang, the teacher handed us several articles and instructed us to write an essay about “Refugees,” referencing quotes.
Thank you, and please feel free to comment on anything that comes to mind.
Hi Haifa, I like your choice of topic for this assignment. In your excerpt, the repetition of the word ‘refugee’ really helps to highlights and build emphasis on your topic. Unfortunately, this topic seems to be growing increasingly relevant within our society in relation to current events. However, as you mentioned, literacy and society influence each other. I think it’s fascinating how you are able to connect a personal past experience of yours to something that is still relevant in the present day. I look forward to seeing how this topic will tie into your journey as a reader and a writer. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Hey Haifa, your story reminds me of the time i was in middle school. Our English teacher would pose a question to us before every lesson and play on our different opinions during the day. In understanding the difference between refugee and immigrant, only by definition do they differ. In action they are similar, both groups of people leave for a better chance to survive and both groups of people face the persecution of not speaking the native language.
Both these comments are amazing. Kenneth shows how refugees and immigrants both have so much to offer us; and also, he relates to method of being taught. Tina talks about relevance, which is a huge concept, don’t even get me started! Haifa, you are lucky to have such thoughtful classmates! : )