In My Own Words is an Indy Reads series where students tell their stories using their own authentic voice and words.  Lovely is from Haiti. She was working as a nurse in her home country and now has enrolled with Indy Reads to develop her English skills to continue her nursing career in the U.S.

[In Haiti], our primary language is Creole, but you have to go to school to speak French.

When I came here I could not say anything in English. Before I went to Indy Reads I watched, I think, 27 video lessons on YouTube for beginners. (laughs) That’s how I started learning English.

(laughs) Yep. [English is] my third [language].

 And then when they called me, I remember they asked me how long I have been here. I [was actually able to] say only 5 weeks, I don’t know how.

 And then they pass me a test!

Then they told me that I passed the first level but I don’t know how because I could not speak!

And then, yeah. I think I learned very fast at Indy Reads. Cindy used pictures of demonstrations to show us what she’s talking about. I don’t need to review that because I have the picture in my mind. She shows us and then we, especially me, I don’t need to review that because I have the picture in my mind, I learn very fast.

I learn faster with demonstration.

 Pre-pandemic, Lovely’s husband used to drive her all the way from New Castle so she could attend classes in person. He supports her, knowing this is important to her.

*Special thank you to Andrew Tanner & Macy Barwick, AmeriCorps WorkLiteracy Coaches, for helping Indy Reads tell Lovely’s story!