Jaz came to Greenville High School in 2008 from India. She struggled most in her English classes due to difficulties understanding the language and speaking. Her science and math classes were easier since numbers are universal and she enjoyed science. While the school environment was scary at first, being placed in ESL classes helped her learn English. Overall, the literacy practices were different between her schooling in India and in the U.S. school, making the transition challenging.

1. By Maritza Ramos

2.  Bartonand Hamilton tell us that literacy is
“culturally structured” and has its “roots
into the past” (30)

3. •Jaz came from India
•She joined Greenville
High School in 2008

4.  “Itwas scary. I didn’t know what to expect
because it was my first time to attend a
school in the U.S.”

5.  “Oh yes. I struggled in many classes
freshman year. Well, except for science and
math. Those classes were easier for me.”

6.  “Iguess these classes were easier for me
because math is a language of its own.”
What about science?
 “Science was pretty easy because I just love
it.”

7.  “English class was hardest because I had
trouble understanding. They put me in an ESL
class to help me.”
 “Speech class was also hard because I had a
hard time speaking english, and a lot of
times people did not understand what I was
saying.”

8.  “Itwas a nightmare! I had a hard time
understanding these type of readings. I
remember that at one point I thought they
were just dumb and pointless.”

9.  “Definitely.
It’s just that in India school was
different. And apparently the english I
learned there was not enough to help me in
school here.”

10. I plan to interview more people, both foreign
and non-foreign.
I just can’t wait!

11.  Barton,David, and Mary Hamilton. “Literacy
Practices.” Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing.
1st ed. Ed. Tabetha Adkins. Southlake, Texas:
Fountainhead, 2010. 21-32. Print.