This is the cover page of Language and Literacy Narrative. It includes all the information about how I see this course after phase1.

Cover letter for phase 1

On my first day in this class, I was nervous. This English

would be difficult according to my level of English and Literacy. Nervous about

not understanding what my professor and my classmates said, and even not

being understood by my classmates. It became the most difficult when I realized

that I also had to write. I said, It’s gonna be the worst class I’ve had. But at the

end of phase 1, some things changed. The first thing I realized after this phase is

that it’s not about showing your English fluency or the level of your language, and

nobody is going to judge you about your accent; however, it’s about building

strong writing, reading, and thinking skills. Through many different assignments I

have done in this phase, I improved my writing skills and speed. Now, I can write

about points or arguments by using the Rhetorical situation conveniently. In my

high school, I didn’t do many writing assignments or read many books. So by my

first, it wasn’t easy, but I improved my skills in writing, reading, and understanding

information about writing. By using the Rhetorical situation, I can analyse the

author, text, intended audience, purpose, and context & exigence. This phase

helped me to know how I can express my thoughts in a way that can help others.

It’s like knowing how to study the audience and find a way to write your ideas.

According to the audience you have to support, touch on their feelings.

And I knew how to use information, or how to annotate the text to know the

feelings of the writer, and analyze a real message in the text. I knew how to

annotate due to the different Peer reviews we had done in class. It made me

understand how to analyse information and give feedback accordingly. This also

showed me that everyone has a unique story and experience about Language

and Literacy Narrative. Through various representations, I have been influenced

by my classmates in different ways. Some of them showed me that everyone in

the first days in the USA or any new country, you have to struggle with the

language, which encourages me more and gives me confidence to articulate

whatever I think without arguing to make grammatical mistakes. Because many

times I used to keep quiet, thinking that when I spoke, no one would hear me,

and I thought it was better to stay quiet. But after realizing that I am not alone, I

started to articulate with my classmates, and even if they do not hear me a

hundred percent, it’s not like before. Others taught me that through personal

stories, poems, games, and other kinds of texts we have represented, you can

study language and more than languages. That showed me that you can improve

your skills in Language and Literacy through different fields. Now, I have started

to learn English in every activity. I know this will help me improve my English

fluency. I can’t say that I am on a good level as a writer, but I can say that this is

a good start for me to become a writer. Meanwhile, annotating text helped me to

understand and use information more than before. Because I used to read books

and enjoy them, but in the end, I wasn’t ready to understand what the real

message was, the situations, and the argument. What I did was just to read. And

now I have to analyze each paragraph to figure out the message and situation. I

think this will help to read with purpose. As I said in my speech during the

presentation, after phase 1, I see this class as more than just another

requirement. It is a chance for us to sharpen our voices, to build confidence, and

to prepare for the paths we each want to follow. All we need is to support one

another, share our experiences, encourage each other along the way, and work

with our professor. We will be the best writers in the future. To conclude this

reflection, I appreciate how our professor consistently guided us by providing

updated information about assignments. Personally, I recall that during this

phase, I sometimes struggled to differentiate between the requirements of each

assignment because of my English, but with the updates, I gained some

understanding. I remember there were assignments I submitted later, and others

submitted without all the needed requirements, because of a misunderstanding.

But the more I experience this system, the more I understand and overcome my

challenges. This phase helped me to believe that even if I started like that, I will

make a difference and do my best as a writer.

Unlocking Our Future Through Language and Education

My journey in education began when I was only four years old, back in 2010. I attended a public school where education was not as advanced or standardized as it is today. I still remember when I reached Primary Four and started learning English. It was difficult for me; I couldn’t speak it well at all. I was good at other subjects, especially science, but English always felt like a mountain too high to climb. Step by step, I worked hard. I passed my primary national exams, then my O-levels, and finally joined the A-levels to study sciences. My dream was clear from the beginning: I wanted to study medicine and one day use my knowledge to help my family and contribute to my country’s development. Honestly, I never imagined that I would one day find myself in a country like the United States, studying at the City College of New York.

Yet, here I am today living a dream that once felt impossible. However, during high school, I learned an important lesson: without strong English skills, achieving my dream of becoming a doctor would be extremely difficult. In high school, I joined the debating club to challenge myself. At first, I was nervous. I was afraid my classmates would laugh at me whenever I made a mistake. But I refused to let fear define me. I kept speaking, practicing, and improving. Slowly but surely, my confidence grew, and by the end of high school, I was honored as the best speaker in my class. Now, by God’s grace, I am studying at The City College of New York. It’s a fantastic achievement, but also a big challenge. I am still improving my English and adjusting to this new learning system. Yet, I believe that every struggle is a sign of growth, not weakness.

As I close, I want to share something meaningful that has guided me. Peter Drucker once said, “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” To me, this means that language and literacy are more than just learning words; they are about understanding people, expressing ourselves, and shaping our futures through education. That’s why I see this Freshman Composition class as more than just another subject. It’s a chance to build confidence, strengthen our writing and speaking skills, and prepare for opportunities that lie ahead.

To my classmates who may be struggling with English, please remember this: you are not alone. I know how hard it feels. But every effort you make brings you closer to success. Together, we can use language and literacy as powerful tools to transform our lives, our families, and even our countries. Each of us here has a story; some faced challenges growing up, others lacked resources, and many of us are still finding our voices in this new learning environment. For me, the biggest challenge has always been English fluency. Maybe you feel the same way, nervous to speak in class, afraid to make mistakes, or unsure of your words. I understand that deeply. That’s why I believe that Language and Literacy are not just academic subjects; they are keys that unlock who we truly are and who we can become. When we learn to read with understanding, write with clarity, and speak with confidence, we are not just earning grades; we are building lifelong skills that will guide us everywhere we go. So, my friends, don’t let the difficulty of language and the new education system discourage you. Don’t define yourself by your mistakes; define yourself by your progress.

This class is not only about grammar or essays; it’s about discovering our identities and preparing for a brighter future. Let’s lift each other, support one another, and use this opportunity as the foundation for a better tomorrow. Because once we master language, there is no dream too high, no goal too far, and no future beyond our reach.

Thank you!