In My Own Words is an Indy Reads series where students tell their stories using their own authentic voice and words.
Vivian came to the United States in 2016 from Honduras with her daughter. She joined Indy Reads’ beginning English Language Learning (ELL) class in January 2022. This year, Vivian has moved into our Intermediate ELL class!
A dedicated student, mother, animal-lover, and trained medical assistant, Vivian is determined to improve her conversational English with Indy Reads to better communicate, help her daughter achieve her goals, and improve her confidence to move independently in Indiana. Hear from Vivian in her own words below.
In My Own Words | Vivian G.
Where are you from?
“I’m from Honduras. I was born in La Paz and lived in Comayagua. I came to Indiana, I think, in 2016. Almost 10 years ago! I wanted to live better with my family. My daughter came with me. She is 11. My dog came, too. Her name is Barbie. My husband is from Honduras, too. I can’t remember exactly the day [when he came to Indiana], but it was when I was pregnant, before I came.”
Do you have a job?
“I work in my house for my husband and daughter. My husband works on framing for houses. I think he is a carpenter. He is very strong.”
Why did you decide to come to Indy Reads?
“I have two years [with Indy Reads]. I had three teachers: Maria and Cindy [together], and now Carrie. Cindy is a good, good teacher. She teach me a lot. Maria helps a lot, too. She’s very kind and helpful. I take all of my classes online. I wanted to come to class because I don’t like when the people talk to me and I can’t say anything. I need to help my daughter with school. And when I go places, when I go to the doctor, I need English too. I need English everywhere I go.”
What was your first day of class like?
“I remember the day! I didn’t know any English when I came to Indy Reads. I could not understand anything. Maria helped me. The first couple of minutes in class, I was very nervous, but then I saw Maria. I say, ‘She can help me when I don’t understand, because Maria speaks Spanish.’ In class, she speaks Spanish only a little, mostly English. It made me less nervous. Carrie’s class [Intermediate ELL] is very, very different. I didn’t know any English before, but now I know a lot of English. Not everything, but a lot! It is more difficult, but Carrie is a good teacher. When I go outside and somebody talks to me, I know what they say. Before, I only knew a couple words: thank you, sorry, please. Now, I can talk with my friends, and I can help my daughter do many things. My friends in Indiana speak English. My daughter is in 5th grade, and I help her with the homework. She teaches me a lot of English! When I say the wrong word, she corrects me. She’s really smart.”
“Carrie’s class [Intermediate ELL] is very, very different. I didn’t know any English before, but now I know a lot of English. Not everything, but a lot! It is more difficult, but Carrie is a good teacher. When I go outside and somebody talks to me, I know what they say.”
Outside of classes, what makes you happy?
“I like to go to the park with my daughter and walk. I like to spend the time with my family. My brother lives in Indiana also. He works framing houses like my husband. I love animals. I have my dog and a bird, Kiwi. In Honduras, we had many, many animals: chickens, pigs, horses, and cows. My parents were farmers. I miss it.”
What is the most difficult part of learning English?
“I think I need more time, you know? The classes are just two days a week for three hours each class. I practice in Burlington [Indy Reads’ online English learning software used for homework]. Burlington has many, many things. You can use whatever you need.”
What are your goals?
“I want to know everything in English! I want to go wherever I want. Sometimes, I want to go someplace, but everybody is speaking English and it’s difficult for me. My husband learned English at his job. I studied in Honduras, but not English. I studied to be a kind of nurse to help the doctor, a medical assistant. I think it was a special high school, not university. I really liked this job, because I like to help the people when they are sick. My dream is I want to see my daughter get older and she can make all of her goals. She wants to go to the university.”
What are you most proud of from Indy Reads?
“When I came to Indy Reads, I didn’t know any English, but now I know a lot. Indy Reads has very good teachers and they are very helpful. I talk to Daisy [ELL Intake Coordinator] about many things. She helps me when I need to take the tests. I started to learn English too late. I already had ten years in this country. When I came to Indiana, I came for other things. Now, some people here speak Spanish and I can translate, but I will like to know English, not just translate. Life is very different in Honduras. You know ‘corruption?’ If you don’t know people in a job, you do not get a job. I wanted to go to university in my country, but I don’t have money to go. I think, sometimes, I want to go to university here, but I think I can’t. I will help my daughter.”
Do you have any advice for new Indy Reads students?
“Study English because it’s important that when people talk, you know what they say. You can also help your children. And speaking English helps you make new friends. I want to say more things, but I know in Spanish and I can’t say it in English. I think English will also help you get a better job. My friend told me one time that she got a job, but they asked if she speaks English and she said no. They said she needed English to get the better job.”