By Tanner Greer
Learning a new language is like jumping into a cold shower.
50% of the BYU-Hawaii student body are international students. Most of them did not grow up speaking English. They not only have to deal with all the challenges of normal college life—getting good grades, balancing schooling with work and a social life, finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, and being active members of the Church—but they have to do it in English.
And that is really, really hard. All EIL students know how overwhelming it feels to be asked to read, and speak, and write in a second language every single day. Some feel embarrassed that no one ever understands what they say. Others feel frustrated that they never understand what anyone else is saying. Many go to bed at night wondering how they are ever going to survive here.
If you are one of these students, I am writing this for you.
Learning a new language is like jumping into a cold shower.
50% of the BYU-Hawaii student body are international students. Most of them did not grow up speaking English. They not only have to deal with all the challenges of normal college life—getting good grades, balancing schooling with work and a social life, finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, and being active members of the Church—but they have to do it in English.
And that is really, really hard. All EIL students know how overwhelming it feels to be asked to read, and speak, and write in a second language every single day. Some feel embarrassed that no one ever understands what they say. Others feel frustrated that they never understand what anyone else is saying. Many go to bed at night wondering how they are ever going to survive here.
If you are one of these students, I am writing this for you.