Language and literacy aren’t just about reading and writing—they’re about courage, identity, and connection. I didn’t realize that until one day in middle school when I was unexpectedly pushed out of my comfort zone.

When I think about my relationship with language and literacy, one memory stands out clearly. It was back in middle school when my teacher asked the class to write a short paragraph about a personal experience. At first, I didn’t think much of it—I usually saw assignments like that as just another piece of schoolwork. I was a quiet student, someone who didn’t talk much, and I had always been shy when it came to speaking in front of others. So when the teacher suddenly called on me to read my paragraph aloud to the whole class, I felt panic rising in my chest. I remember walking up to the front of the classroom with the paper shaking in my sweaty hands. The room was full of chatter just moments before, but when my name was called, I could feel dozens of eyes turn toward me. Some kids were still whispering to each other, others just stared, waiting. I tried to take a deep breath, but my thoughts were racing. “Don’t stutter. Does this sound right? This is taking a little long, isn’t it?” I began reading slowly, carefully, trying not to trip over my words. To me, my voice sounded shaky and strange—I’ve never liked the sound of my own voice—but to everyone else, I probably just sounded like me. I didn’t notice much of their reactions, because I was too focused on getting through the paper without messing up. When I finally finished, there was a short pause, then clapping. The teacher smiled and told me my piece was “Powerful.” That one word stuck with me. For the first time, I felt a sense of accomplishment in sharing my writing. I walked back to my seat feeling proud, like I had pushed past a barrier that had always held me back.

That moment taught me something important: sometimes you only grow when you are forced out of your comfort zone. Until then, writing had always felt like “just work.” But after that experience, I realized my words could mean something to other people. It gave me a small boost of confidence, not just in writing but in speaking too. Over time, I became more open to sharing my personal experiences, even if I was still shy by nature. It was the first step toward finding my voice.

Of course, that wasn’t the only challenge I’ve faced with language and literacy. In high school, for example, I remember struggling to make sense of a Shakespeare play we had to read as a class novel. The language felt like a puzzle, with words and expressions that didn’t make sense to me at first. It was frustrating, but it also reminded me that literacy is about more than just reading—it’s about working to understand different voices and perspectives, even when they don’t come easily. Language has also played a big role in my life outside of school. At home, my parents often speak French and Wolof, their native languages. I can usually understand what they are saying, but I can’t speak either language myself. That gap has always made me think about how language shapes identity. It’s strange to feel connected to a culture through understanding, but disconnected because I can’t fully join in the conversation.
At the same time, it has made me more aware of how language connects people. When I’m around my friends, some of them speak Spanish or Japanese with each other. Even when I don’t fully understand, I pay attention to the rhythm of their words and the way language brings them closer together. It reminds me of how important communication is, even across cultural lines. Another moment that stands out is from my first job, where I had to write professional emails and communicate clearly with coworkers. At first, it was uncomfortable.  I had to think carefully about tone, grammar, and clarity in a way I hadn’t before. But just like in middle school, practice made me more confident. I realized that literacy isn’t only about school—it’s a real-world skill that affects how people see you and how you carry yourself. Even the ways I consume media—watching movies or listening to music from other cultures—have shaped my literacy. It’s not just about understanding words, but about recognizing how language carries emotion, history, and culture. Each time I step into something unfamiliar, whether it’s a different genre of music or a film in another language, I feel like my comfort zone stretches a little bit more.

Looking back, the middle school experience of standing in front of the class and reading my writing will always be the moment that set everything in motion. It showed me that my words had power, even when I doubted myself. Since then, every challenge with language—from Shakespeare to speaking with my parents, from friends’ languages to professional emails—has been another step in shaping who I am. Language and literacy aren’t just tools for communication; they define identity, build confidence, and help us connect across differences. And while I’m still growing, I know that each time I push myself past fear, my voice gets a little stronger.

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