English Language Learners Corner

The first time I experienced racism is a memory that still feels fresh in my mind. Before coming to Carle Place, I had hope for my previous school. I was looking for friendship, knowledge, and a fresh start. But reality was much harsher than I expected.

The first time I met my English teacher at that school, I trusted him. He greeted me with a warm smile, and I was excited to learn English. I believed he would change my life with his passion for teaching. But instead, he mocked my appearance. It was a constant pressure I faced every day, and I couldn’t escape it. I tried telling other teachers about his racism, but my limited English made it hard to explain—even with translation apps. No one believed me. Day by day, my excitement faded, replaced by a quiet gloom that stuck to me like a shadow.

My name is Dehong Guo, but I go by Jason here. I’m a sophomore at Carle Place High School. I’ve been in the United States for about a year, seeking better education and new opportunities. I chose the English name “Jason” to help me fit in and connect with people from different backgrounds. Coming to America wasn’t just about school, it was about experiencing new cultures, meeting new people, and seeing the world from a different perspective.

When I first arrived, I was full of curiosity and excitement. I wanted to try new foods, make friends, and see things I had only read about. My English test scores from China made me confident. I thought I could handle any conversation. That confidence lasted until my first visit to Starbucks.

Standing at the counter, surrounded by fast talking and unfamiliar words, I realized that understanding English in class is very different from using it in real life. The barista, with her long blonde hair and bright pink lips like I’d seen on TV, asked me, “What would you like to order?” But I couldn’t say a word. My mind went blank. Nervousness and fear took over. I stuttered and tried to speak, but no words came out. People behind me grew impatient and stared, probably thinking I should just leave. No one helped. Then, a man behind me muttered, “Another immigrant, wasting everyone’s time.” I finally used a translation app to order, but the barista rolled her eyes as she handed me my coffee. Walking out, sadness washed over me. I had thought moments like this only happened on TV, not to me—but now I knew they could.

After experiences like this, my excitement turned into fear and embarrassment. 

I eventually transferred to Carle Place. Here, most people are kind and welcoming. A few aren’t, but I’ve learned they’re young and don’t always understand how their words affect others. I try not to take it personally. Many classmates are patient when I struggle with English. They smile and say, “It’s okay, take your time.” Their kindness eases my embarrassment and calms my nerves. The teachers here are patient, too—they teach with care because they want me to grow, not just because it’s their job.

Sometimes, learning English here brings back feelings I hadn’t felt in a long time—passion and patience. It inspires me to become like them, someone who helps others in need. That’s why I joined the SADD Club. When I found out they work to stop bullying, I knew I wanted to help. My umbrella was once torn apart—I know how it feels to be soaked in despair. I want to be a shelter for others, offering them peace.

Slowly, I’ve grown more confident speaking with classmates, almost as freely as in Chinese. I use vocabulary apps and practice with friends who speak both languages. Their support has taught me that struggling with a new language isn’t something to be ashamed of—it’s something to be proud of. Every word I say is proof of progress. My life here is getting brighter every day, and I know my future is too. With supportive teachers, mentors, and friends, I feel lucky to be learning not just a new language, but a new way to see the world.

To me, English is like a small boat I built with trembling hands. At first, the waves of this new world seemed too strong, and the words too heavy. But bit by bit, I kept building—plank after plank, mistake after mistake—until the boat floated. Every new word became a nail; every kind smile, a sail catching the breeze. Now, even though the ocean is still vast, I no longer fear the waves. My little boat is strong, carrying not just my voice but my hope.

One day in October 2025, I was chatting on WeChat with a friend back in Sichuan, China. He teased me, saying my biggest problem in America was probably my accent. I laughed—he was right, in a way. Later, lying in bed, I thought about everything. My worst experiences—racism, impatience, embarrassment—they shook my confidence. But it’s not just about my accent. It’s more than that. I felt a quiet peace wash over me.

The next morning, as the 7:00 AM bell rang, I turned off my alarm and looked in the mirror. With messy hair and a bright new day ahead, I whispered with a grin, “Welcome to Carle Place. This is where I belong.”

Authors: Yancy Lin and Joshua Zhu

中文版
郭德鸿
我来美国一年了。我来这里是希望得到更好的教育来实现我的梦想。同时也是为了开眼界，让我能亲身感受不同文化的融合与碰撞。我第一次来到美国时充满了对新世界的好奇与憧憬。好奇西方世界与东方世界的不同，感觉浑身都鼓足了劲。我告诉自己“我要交许多朋友，了解新文化，品尝新食物，享受不同的自然环境。”就这样，带着对未来的神往，我开启了我的美国学习之旅。我在中国时英语综合成绩很好，即使我知道这可能不够，但我仍然愿意尝试。过海关时，工作人员简单询问核实了一下我的信息便结束了。我的英语足够回答这些。适应了美国新生活后我去买星巴克，周围都是外国人偶尔也会有中国人，当我到我点餐的时候我有些担心自己说不好，因为后面还有人排队，我怕会耽误大家的时间所以我很紧张，可是一紧张大脑就一片空白。我紧张的支支吾吾的，又看了眼身后人那不耐烦的神情，我的变得十分慌张不安。最后我只能掏出手机使用翻译器然后买完走掉。自这插曲过后，我慢慢的也就变得不自信了。10天后我开学了，我在学校里认识了一个犹太人，他很愿意和我分享他的文化以及他经历的事情。他写过三本书，还免费送我了一本。他真的是个很好的人，希望他未来能圆梦，成为名扬四海的作家。学校里还有很多其他友善的人帮助我学习英语。即使我有一些害怕与英语母语者沟通，害怕打扰到他们。可与之相对的，任何地方都有好人与坏人，就像一切事物都有两面性，或者说就像世界上没有绝对纯净或邪恶的东西一样。我过去学校的同学也有不友善。同时也有人在厕所偷偷吸大麻，学校并不大，味道很难闻，而且我们的英语老师有一些种族歧视，他会说“ching chong”或者拉下他的眼角以示嘲讽，也许他只是在开玩笑，我不是很清楚。因此我慢慢失去了一些热情，情绪低落无精打采了一段时间。我没有像刚来的时候那样憧憬着第二天的到来，我思考了很多。比如在去学校的路上会因为遇见一些不友善的人而感到难过。可是后来我想这些仅仅只是生活的小插曲，难道就要因为这些而停滞不前吗？这怎么可能呢？我需要为了我爱的与爱我的人而奋斗，我需要关心的人太多了为什么还浪费心思关心无关紧要的人和事呢？所以我重新拾起了搁置在一边的重要的东西，“希望与努力”。把烦心事抛掷脑后，好好过好每一天，享受与家人朋友相处的每一个幸福的时刻，享受学习的快乐。我的心态慢慢变得好了，不像曾经那样，过度幻想，不像曾经那般过度悲观。我更加清晰明确的知道自己想要什么需要做什么。后来我来到了新的学校，绝大部分的人都很友善虽然还是有少数人不太友好但这也仅仅只是年少无知的幼稚罢了，我并不会放在心上。许多人体谅我在语言方面的欠缺，他们会耐心的等待，告诉我没事的，慢慢说。这让我感到很温暖，被包容。老师也会很耐心的教育我，大家都尽职尽责的。这里的老师让我真的打心底感觉到是希望我变得越来越好，而不仅仅是为了完成他们的工作内容。也许可以说在这所学校中我感受到了家的温暖，这里给我提供了很大的心理慰藉。大家都是开心愉悦的，我想这也许就是理想的校园吧。没有勾心斗角，没有太多的摩擦。有的只是共同进步携手向前的动力。越来越好的生活点燃了我对了解美国文化的热情。我也在慢慢尝试重新拾起自信与同学们畅聊，就像我说中文般从容。我正在使用记单词的软件来帮助我扩展词汇，并尽量合理的利用我的时间，比如与擅长中英文的朋友用英语交流。让他们帮忙纠正我的口语以及语法错误。慢慢的，我发现与别人用不擅长的语言交流根本没有想象中的那么可怕。越来越好的生活映照着我越来越好的未来。在朋友的指引、老师的引导、保安的守护、以及领导的关怀下，我感到很开心很荣幸能在美国认识大家。学习新的文化学习新的语言让我找到了更好的自己，甚至可以说是梦想中的自己，在我一步一步的努力前进中变得越来越近，越来越清晰。我会带着脚踏实地的谨慎以及无穷的冒险精神去探索这个新世界。我认为学习英语就像是一只小船，慢慢造好它你就能用它平稳的航行在名为西方世界文化的大海上。不可急功近利也不可好高骛远，这是实现梦想的重要一步。我会继续努力的！为了所有帮助我的人，也为了更好的自己！

作者: 林杨熙，朱乐乐