"Ms. Terje, what does it say here?" Anya (9) looked puzzled at her text.
"So stressed out," I replied.
"I didn't write that. I don't use words like that," Anya shook her head.
"That's how I understood it when I read and edited your text. I am sorry," I was puzzled in return.
"Let's figure out what you meant here," I offered.
She pulled out her draft from her folder and we stared at the "so stest aut."
"I don't remember what I wrote," Anya saddened.
"That's ok. Unfortunately if you don't remember, I can't help. When I read your text, "so stressed out" made lot of sense in the story. I'm sorry."
We tried different words that might fit, but none seemed to work.
"I can't read this text if I don't know what it says. Lets cross that sentence out," she came up with a solution for that moment.
I have become a really good detective at deciphering Anya's writing. Austrian as mother tongue, French as her first school language, only a year of English combined with dyslexia have made reading and writing in English a challenge for Anya. Fortunately Anya doesn't see it as an obstacle. She loves writing. She writes a lot. With practice I have made noticeable progress at reading her texts. Not this time. I know I should have asked straight away when she wrote, not wait until next day for my free period to edit the work.
Later that day I saw that Anya had shared a document "Christkind and Santa Claus" with me on Google Drive. When I opened it, I was faced with tightly woven fabric of words. I understood that the text was about people believing or not believing in Jesus or Santa Claus. She was telling the story as if speaking to a reader. She spoke of religion and imagination, about the similarities and differences, about how people had the right to believe in different ideas, how it was good to learn about what others believed in, and how both stories made us happy. I missed out on some of the words and details but I could feel Anya's soul. Little before the end I read "so let con tin you."
I'd like to put this on a banner. I sincerely hope that Anya will continue writing for ever and ever.
A wonderful slice. Fortunately, Anya has you as a teacher to help and encourage her to "con tin you". How difficult it must be for children who think and hear one language and then write and learn another with dyslexia on top of it all.
ReplyDeleteI love Anya's drive and determination to write! A special gift with your continued guidance. Her honesty and understanding are truly those of an older soul. Thank you for the smile today. Oh, and please encourage Anya to con tin you writing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story, Terje. And to think that some of our english speakers with only one language struggle. I can't imagine what this little girl must face each day. You are evidently a big support to her. It sounds like she is very good at some language needs. Thanks for the ending!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to read! Let's all con tin you!
ReplyDeleteYour reflection and care here is amazing Terje, just amazing. You are providing the environment in which Anya's thinking skills are valued and nurtured while her language skills catch up. Nothing short of amazing!
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