Learner Spark: MI HISTORIA by Maria Galan

The Literacy Center of West Michigan is pleased to share an excerpt of the Learner Spark, Issue No. 4, now available as a free PDF download. Learner Spark is a learner-written magazine that features original stories created by adult learners across Literacy Center programs. Each piece reflects lived experience and is published in the writer’s own words, supporting literacy growth while honoring the voices and perspectives of the people at the heart of our work. Consider becoming a volunteer literacy coach today to support adult learners like Maria!

My name is Maria Galán. I am Mexican, from the state of Michoacán. I am the oldest of six siblings. I came to live here in 1998. 

I am about to turn 28 years old, and my story is the same as many of those who come here to work and to have a better life, or in my case to help my parents, but in reality I always wanted to live here. It has been difficult not knowing English. When I first arrived here, I couldn’t go to school because I had to work. Then my daughter was born, and it’s difficult as a mother to find the time to attend English classes, especially since I’m alone here and didn’t have anyone to take care of my daughter or children. My husband worked late, so I didn’t have that opportunity. 

What little I know I learned over the years in the different jobs I’ve had, but I can’t speak English, much less write it. I didn’t have the opportunity to go to school; I only finished sixth grade, and from there I started working until I moved here. Once I was here, it was the same; I started working, and well, several years passed. 

This is my second year attending English school. The first year was 10 years ago. I only went to school for one semester, then I had to start working, and I didn’t continue studying until this year when I decided to start again. My children are older now, and I don’t have as many responsibilities with them as when they were little. 

This year, I decided to enroll to learn English so I can communicate with people and with my clients. I work as a house cleaner, and I understand what they tell me about the job. But when they want to talk to me about other things, like their daily lives, it’s a little difficult to have a conversation. Some people make an effort to understand your limited English, but others don’t. So that’s been my reason for learning English, and I hope to continue learning.